Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Dr. Gremse Named Chair of ABP Board of Directors

Dr. David Gremse, professor and chair of pediatrics at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and a pediatric gastroenterologist with USA Physicians Group, was named chair of the board of directors of the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP).

As chair, Dr. Gremse will lead the board, providing support and directing the activities of the ABP to achieve its mission of healthy outcomes for children. According to Dr. Gremse, becoming chair of the board of directors will be beneficial to his role at USA. “The experience I will gain serving as chair of the board of directors of the ABP will foster relationships with other leaders in pediatrics that will enhance the reputation of USA in academic medicine and in the pediatric profession,” he said.

The chair, along with the President and CEO, serves as a liaison for the ABP to other pediatric organizations and serves as an ex-officio member of all ABP committees during their term in office. Dr. Gremse’s one-year term begins January 2017.

Dr. Gremse has been an active member of the ABP since 2000. He began by serving on the Maintenance of Certification Examination Committee, later serving a six-year term on the Pediatric Gastroenterology Sub-board where he also chaired the Credentials Committee. He was later appointed to the board of directors where he served on the Finance Committee. In 2015 he was elected secretary-treasurer of the board of directors and now serves as chair-elect of the board of directors.

As a USA College of Medicine alum and faculty member, Dr. Gremse said his appointment speaks to the quality of pediatricians at USA. “I am indebted to the USA College of Medicine for providing me the medical training to prepare me to serve in this capacity,” he said. “My accomplishments are an example of leadership opportunities that can be achieved through a career at USA. I am but one of the numerous examples of leaders in pediatrics who have been members of the USA faculty.”

Dr. Franklin Trimm, professor and vice chair of pediatrics at the USA College of Medicine and a developmental and behavioral pediatrician with USA Physicians Group, is also a member of the ABP Education and Training Committee. “Dr. Gremse’s leadership within the ABP puts the USA College of Medicine on the forefront of pediatric leadership discussions, policy development and planning for the current and future well-being of children,” Dr. Trimm said. “It is a unique opportunity to increase the diversity of perspective by incorporating the insights of a department chair from the South and from our size medical school.”

In addition to serving as chair, Dr. Gremse serves on the Conflict of Interest Committee, Charter and Bylaws Committee, Audit Committee, Credentials Committee, Education and Training Committee, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Foundation Finance Committee, Global Health Task Force, Informatics Tasks Force, Long-Term Investment Committee, Maintenance of Certification Committee, New Subspecialties Committee, Nominating Committee and the Research Advisory Committee of the ABP.

Dr. Gremse received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and earned his medical degree from the USA College of Medicine in 1983. He completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at USA Medical Center and his fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. In addition, he was a research fellow in the division of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation. He was the first board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist in Mobile.

The American Board of Pediatrics is one of the 24 certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Learn more about the ABP here