Richard A Kozarek MD

Advanced Endoscopic Interventional, Gastrointestinal Cancer, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pancreas Disease

Clinical Professor of Medicine, University Wash; Emeritus Executive Director Digestive Disease institute, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Clinical Researcher, Benaroya Research Institute, Center for Interventional Immunology.

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1100 9th AveSeattle, WA 98101
Phone+1 206-223-6600

Summary

Dr. Richard Kozarek is a gastroenterologist in Seattle, WA and has been affiliated with Virginia Mason Medical Center since 1983 where he served as Chief of Gastroenterology and was the Executive Director of the Digestive Disease Institute. He received his medical degree from University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and was in practice 44 years, retiring from clinical practice in 2021. He specialized in advanced endoscopic interventional, biliary tract disease, gastrointestinal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease and is experienced in general gastroenterology, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, interventional gastroenterology, and clinical research. His current position is co-investigator of the NIH supported DREAM protocol at Benaroya Research Institute. He continues to mentor multiple residents, GI and advanced endoscopy fellows, as well as Visiting Scholars.

Education & Training

University of Arizona College of Medicine-TucsonFellowship, Gastroenterology, 1976 - 1978
University of Arizona College of Medicine-PhoenixResidency, Internal Medicine, 1974 - 1976
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public HealthClass of 1973

Certifications & Licensure

WA State Medical License 1983 - 2027
WI State Medical License 1974 - 1995
AZ State Medical License 1975 - 1985
American Board of Internal Medicine Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine Gastroenterology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Master American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Henry L. Bockus Medal recipient World Gastroenterology Organization, 2019
Master World Gastroenterology Organization, 2017
President Society of Gastrointestinal Intervention, 2010-2012
America's Top Doctors Castle Connolly, 2002-2014
CMS Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification HealthSentry EHR, Cerner Corporation, 2013
Past-President World Gastroenterology Organization, 2009, 2011
Schindler Award for Lifetime Achievements in GI Endoscopy ASGE, 2008
Past-President Society for Gastrointestinal Intervention, 2008, 2010
Men's Health Castle Connolly, 2007
Fellow (AGAF) American Gastroenterological Association, 2006
Past President American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 1997-1998
Fellow American College of Physicians
Super Doctor SuperDoctors.com
Top MD Consumers Checkbook
Fellow (FACG) American College of Gastroenterology
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Clinical Trials

A Study to Determine the Effectiveness of Endoscopic Full-Thickness Plication for the Treatment of GERD Start of enrollment: 2005 Jan 01
Terminated
Not Applicable
Endoscopic Full-Thickness Plication for the Treatment of GERD: Long-Term Multicenter Results Start of enrollment: 2004 Dec 01
Completed
Study of the NDO Endoscopic Plication System For the Treatment of Symptomatic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Start of enrollment: 2001 Aug 01
Completed
Not Applicable
Evaluating Predictors & Interventions in Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction Start of enrollment: 2008 Jul 01
Completed
Not Applicable
SpyGlass™ Discover Percutaneous Start of enrollment: 2021 Jul 27
Completed
Diabetes RElated to Acute Pancreatitis and Its Mechanisms Start of enrollment: 2022 Jan 14
RECRUITING
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Interventional Management of Acute Pancreatitis and Its Complications.
Muaaz Masood, Amar Vedamurthy, Rajesh Krishnamoorthi, Shayan Irani, Mehran Fotoohi
Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025-09-22
The Palliation of Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: Evolution from Surgery to Minimally Invasive Modalities.
Muaaz Masood, Shayan Irani, Mehran Fotoohi, Lauren Wancata, Rajesh Krishnamoorthi
Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025-07-15
Long-term outcome of rendezvous internalization treatment for external pancreatic fistulas associated with disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome: a retrospective study.
Hyung Ku Chon, Richard A Kozarek, Mehran Fotoohi, Shayan S Irani
Surgical Endoscopy. 2025-05-01

Authored Content

Toe in the Water: The Inaugural Combined AGA-ASGE Post-Graduate Course at DDWMay 2025
How to Plan for DDW 2023April 2023
One Physician's Take on CME in the Era of COVID: ACG 2020November 2020
Integration of Research into Endoscopic PracticeJune 2018
Mo1149 DIFFERENCES IN LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES OVER A 10 YEAR SPANMay 2018
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Press Mentions

What’s Worrying Physicians About the Future of MedicineSeptember 29th, 2025

Grant Support

Type 1 Diabetes in Acute Pancreatitis Consortium – Pacific Northwest Clinical Center: Immune Pathogenesis of Post-Pancreatitis T1DBENAROYA RESEARCH INST AT VIRGINIA MASON2020–2030
DREAM protocol TiDAPC ConsortiumNIHPresent

Research History

Chief of Gastroenterology/Executive Director, Digestive Disease Institute, Virginia Mason, SeattleMultiple investigational trials using biologics, immunosuppressants, and small molecules for CUC and Crohn's. Multiple RCT trials studying endoscopic innovations, technology, and techniques. Numerous outcomes studies. Current T1DAPC Consortium and NIH-supported DREAM study1983 - 2021