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KennethDeVault

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Kenneth R DeVault, MD received his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, and his medical degree from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed a combined clinical and research fellowship at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Currently, Dr DeVault is the Director of Gastrointestinal Research and an Associate Chairperson of the Department of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Medical School.

He is a Trustee and Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology, and serves on committees of the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Dr. DeVault joined Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville in 1992, and has been on staff since that time. He conducts research on topics such as the acute and chronic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal motility. He has a particular interest in esophageal diseases in an aging population.

Publishing extensively since the late 1980s, Dr DeVault has written over 150 book chapters, abstracts, editorials and original articles on subjects ranging from treatment of GERD, dysphagia, esophagitis, and Barrett’s esophagus to laparoscopic antireflux surgery and managed care issues in the treatment of GERD.

What made you decide to become a gastroenterologist?

As a student, I was interested in cardiology, but while searching for a summer research project, I met Donald Castell and became interested in esophageal pain. My interactions with Dr Castell, Dr Joel Richter, and Dr Phil Katz while in medical school solidified my interest in gastroenterology.

Who was the teacher you admired the most?

Dr Castell, not only for his teaching, but for his friendship and mentoring.

What is the most important fact that you have discovered?

That the questions in any area of biomedical knowledge are never ending. The human genome project is a great example. Many felt that this was the “holy grail” of medical knowledge, but know we know that the situation is much more complex and that determining how a relatively small number of genes regulate biological function may be a never ending quest.

How do you relax?

Spending time at the beach with my wonderful wife, Shelley, and my 5 children.

What is your favourite sport?

I am currently learning to surf.

What is your best place in the world?

My home, but a close second is southern China. My youngest child is from Nanning and part of my heart will always be in that city.

What is your favourite film?

The American President

What car do you drive?

Volkswagen Eurovan (remember I have a BIG family!)

What is your best electronic ‘toy’?

My laptop

What book are you reading at the moment?

“The Waiting Child” by Cindy Champnella

Why did you get in involved in GastroHep.com?

I respect and admire the leadership of this effort.