Gregory J. Gurtner, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, died of complications of melanoma at Barnes-Jewish Hospital on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004. He was 36 and was first diagnosed with the disease 15 years ago.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., Gurtner spent most of his youth in the Baltimore area. He earned bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and music from Vanderbilt University in 1990 and attended medical school at New York Medical College, completing his M.D. in 1994.
He completed both his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in gastroenterology at the Washington University School of Medicine, and prior to joining the faculty in 2002, he did post-doctoral training in the laboratory of William Stenson, M.D., professor of medicine.
Gurtner’s research focused on the role of Indoleamine 2,3- Dioxygenase (IDO) in regulating immune responses in the gastrointestinal tract. IDO is made in many cell types throughout the body, but the small intestine and colon contain some of the highest levels of the enzyme. Gurtner was working to determine whether elevated levels of IDO might prevent unwanted immune responses. He studied the enzyme’s role in inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn’s disease.
These findings were recently published in Gastroenterology, the most prestigious specialty journal in the field. Gurtner’s work was very recently recognized, with his being awarded a 2004-05 Regal Award for Excellence in Basic Research.
In fact, he continued to do research until only days before his death, according to Nicholas O. Davidson, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Gasteroenterology.
“Greg was an outstanding physician-scientist and an exceptional role model,” said Davidson, who is also a professor of molecular biology and pharmacology. “He seemed destined to emerge as a leader in inflammatory bowel disease research. He will be sorely missed.”
Gurtner also was a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams and will be remembered for his musical talents on the piano, guitar and ukulele.
His funeral was held Aug. 16 in Ridgefield, Conn., but he will be remembered locally in a memorial service from 4-6:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center at the School of Medicine.
Gurtner is survived by his mother, Nancy Gurtner of Ridgefield, Conn., and by a brother, Geoffrey Gurtner of New York City.