Dr. David Gremse was recently appointed professor and chair of pediatrics at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. Dr. Gremse is the first USA College of Medicine alum to be appointed chair of an academic department at the medical school.
“We are excited to have Dr. Gremse return to his alma mater to lead our pediatrics department. He brings with him leadership experiences in other academic institutions along with a true understanding of our institution and the positive impact we have in our region,” said Dr. Samuel J. Strada, dean of the USA College of Medicine. “Dr. Gremse is uniquely qualified to build on our strengths and to support our mission. He will have the distinction of being the first alumnus of the College of Medicine to chair one of our academic departments.”
Prior to his appointment to USA, Dr. Gremse served as professor and chair of pediatrics at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas since 2004.
Dr. Gremse received a bachelor’s of 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.
Dr. Gremse returned to USA in 1990 to serve as assistant professor and director of the division of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. He was the first board certified pediatric gastroenterologist in Mobile. In 1995 he was promoted to associate professor of pediatrics. During this time, he also held a joint appointment in pharmacology at the USA College of Medicine and as medical director of the USA Pediatric Pharmacology Research Unit.
From 1993 to 2003, Dr. Gremse served as chief of gastroenterology at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital. He was also the first president of the medical staff at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital when it changed its name from USA Doctors Hospital in 1997.
Dr. Gremse was appointed vice-chair of pediatrics and adolescent medicine at the USA College of Medicine in 1998. From 1999 to 2003 he served as professor of pediatrics and associate professor of pharmacology at USA. In 2002, he served as interim chair of the department of pediatrics and adolescent medicine until he became chair of pediatrics at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in 2004.
While at USA, Dr. Gremse served as professor of physician assistant studies for the USA College of Allied Health. He was also a member of the USA Faculty Senate and the USA Executive Council, chair of the USA College of Medicine admissions committee, president of the USA Medical Alumni Association, chair of the USA College of Medicine student research committee, AOA Medical Honor Society Councilor, and a member of the USA Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center’s internal advisory committee. In addition, he served as chair of the residency training committee for the department of pediatrics.
Dr. Gremse has received numerous academic and teaching awards and clinical honors, including being named to America’s Top Pediatricians, Best Doctors in America, and Top Doctors in Southern Nevada.
Dr. Gremse is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and the American Pediatric Society. He has served on the editorial board for Pediatric Drugs since 2001.
In addition, Dr. Gremse is currently a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Section on Gastroenterology and Nutrition Executive Committee, and was president of the Nevada Chapter of the AAP. In addition, he is a member of the American Board of Pediatrics Maintenance of Certification Examination Committee and the Pediatric Gastroenterology Sub-board, where he also chaired the Credentials Committee. Dr. Gremse recently completed a term as secretary-treasurer of the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.
