Ganz Biography
Dr. Ganz was born in Chicago. He went to Niles West High School, and then graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois with honors in biology. He then attended the University of Illinois Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine where he became interested in GI physiology and acid-related disorders. He then completed his fellowship in gastroenterology at Northwestern University.
Thereafter, Dr. Ganz invented balloon-based radio frequency ablation of Barrett’s esophagus, performed the first case in the world, and co-founded BARRX Medical, Inc. which developed the technology.
He helped develop the magnetic sphincter implant (LINX) for gastroesophageal reflux and led the first implant in a patient in the world.
Others of his inventions include, the CLO-temp incubator, a rotatable biopsy forceps, and a laterally deflecting ERCP cannula.
His work has been featured on the covers of 7 medical journals.
He was named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year at his High School in 2016 (Niles West High School; Niles, Illinois).
He received the Distinguished Service Award from the ASGE in 2015, and went on to win the ASGE Rudolph Schindler Award in 2017.
He has made the “Top Physician of the Twin Cities” list every year since 1992.
He won the American Foregut Society Excellence in Innovation and Discovery Award in 2021.
Most importantly, he has been voted “Top Dad” by his children every year since they’ve been born (although there is only one father on the ballot).
Shortly thereafter Dr. Ganz discovered H. pylori can be treated with phototherapy specifically identifying that H. pylori is sensitive to 405 nm light.
Dr. Ganz has also been very active in the ASGE. He was Chair of the ASGE Health and Public Policy Committee for 6 years, served on the Governing Board of the Society for 3 years, was a trustee on the ASGE Foundation Board for 2 years and then was Chair of the Foundation Board for 3 years. He is very interested in practice economics and lectures widely on political and economic issues pertaining to the field of GI.
Most importantly Dr. Ganz had been blessed with a wonderful family – cherished and loving moved to Minneapolis where he went into private practice with Minnesota Gastroenterology, PA. He also joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota becoming a tenured Associate Professor of Medicine.
Dr. Ganz has had an active research career with over 100 peer-reviewed published papers and over 150 abstracts. His main research focus has been on treatment for diseases of the esophagus and stomach, particularly novel device therapy for H. pylori, acid-reflux and Barrett’s esophagus. He is an avid inventor with over 20 patents in the field of medicine. Highlights of his research career include:
1) Dr. Ganz is the inventor of balloon-based radiofrequency therapy for Barrett’s esophagus and co-founded BARRX Medical. He performed the first balloon-based ablation of Barrett’s esophagus in the world.
2) He co-wrote the original method patent for using radiofrequency energy to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease.
3) He discovered that H. pylori is sensitive to 405 nanometer light.
YEARS IN MEDICINE
ISSUED PATENTS
AND MORE PUBLISHED ARTICLES AND ABSTRACTS
Why learn from Professor Robert A. Ganz, MD, FASGE?
35 years in medicine
25 issued patents
Over 200 published articles and abstracts, including 2 first author publications in the New England Journal of Medicine
Winner of the Rudolf Schindler Award
American Foregut Society, Excellence in Innovation and Discovery Award
Former Chair of the ASGE Research Foundation Board
Fellow, Royal Society of Medicine
ASGE Distinguished Service Award
Niles West Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
ASGE Master Endoscopist Designation
International Association of Healthcare Professionals, Leading Physicians of the World
Consumer Research Council of America - America’s Top Gastroenterologists
Becker’s ASC Review 75 Best Gastroenterologists in America
Consumer Institute’s Best Doctors in America
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Articles
Below you can read some of dr Ganz’s articles from the top medical, peer-reviewed publications on GI issues.