Press Release

CINCINNATI, OH — UC Health proudly announces that Dr. Anita Afzali, MD, MPH, MHCM, FACG, AGAF, gastroenterologist and Interim Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, has been appointed Secretary General of the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO).

Dr. Afzali holds the James F. Heady Endowed Chair and is a professor of medicine. She previously served as Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine for three years before being appointed Interim Chair, where she continues to advance UC Health’s mission of excellence in clinical care, education, and research.

The WGO is the leading global organization for digestive health, representing more than 120 international member societies and over 60,000 gastroenterologists worldwide. Its mission is to improve digestive health through education, training, and advocacy, advancing innovation and addressing disparities across continents.

As Secretary General, Dr. Afzali will lead WGO’s worldwide initiatives in education, mentorship, and sustainable partnerships. Her appointment highlights UC Health’s commitment to advancing medical excellence locally, nationally, and internationally.

In this role, Dr. Afzali will collaborate with international experts to establish global standards in digestive health, expand clinical education programs, and foster partnerships that improve care worldwide. Her leadership will help bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that advances in gastroenterology benefit patients everywhere. This appointment also reflects UC Health’s growing influence as a center for world-class gastroenterology care and innovation.

“Dr. Afzali’s appointment as Secretary General of the WGO is a high distinction which reflects her unwavering dedication to advancing education and clinical innovation in the national and global stages. As Division Director within the Department of Internal Medicine, under her leadership, I’ve been fortunate to learn through her mentorship. Her compromise with clinical and academic excellence continues to be an inspiration to us. Her recent tenure as Chair of the Educational Affairs Committee for the American College of Gastroenterology resulted in record breaking numbers of presentations, awards, abstracts, and attendance, further underscoring her transformative impact on our field,” said Luis Lara, MD, division director of Gastroenterology and Hepatology within the Department of Internal Medicine, UC Health.

Dr. Afzali’s appointment highlights UC Health’s dedication to world-class care, academic excellence, and global impact—anchored in Cincinnati.