Biography

Jorge A. Bezerra, M.D., joined UT Southwestern as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics in October 2022. He is also Pediatrician-in-Chief at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. 

A pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Bezerra earned his medical degree from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte School of Medicine in Brazil. After a pediatrics residency at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, he completed clinical and research fellowships in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at CCHMC.

Dr. Bezerra is the principal investigator of multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health focused on preclinical and translational research on biliary atresia, the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children. 

His scientific achievements include the discovery of a key immunologic signature in the liver of children with biliary atresia. Using predictive analytics, the Bezerra lab identified matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) as a diagnostic biomarker of biliary atresia. The discovery led to a test now transitioning to clinical use to facilitate diagnostic algorithms and shorten the time to surgical treatment.

Dr. Bezerra is an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians. He is also a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association and served as the 71st President of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases in 2020. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Scientific Counselors of the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

Education

Medical School
Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul - Brazil (1984)
Residency
University of Arizona Health Sciences Center (1989), Pediatrics
Fellowship
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (1993), Pediatric Gastroenterology

Research Interest

  • Biliary Atresia
  • Cholestatic Liver Diseases
  • Inherited Liver Diseases
  • Viral Hepatitis

Books

Featured Books Legend Featured Books

Honors & Awards

  • Chairman
    Board of Scientific Councilors, Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2021)
  • Honorary Member
    Academy of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte School of Medicine, Natal, Brazil (2021)
  • The Klatskin Lecturer
    Yale University (2021)
  • President
    American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (2020)
  • Castle Conolly Top Doctors in America
    (2018-2021)
  • Chairman
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Special Emphasis Panel, ZRG1 DKUS-P (03) (2017)
  • Councilor and Governing Board Member
    American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (2016)
  • Trustee
    Foundation of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (2016-2018)
  • Fellow
    American Gastroenterological Association (2015)
  • Award for distinguished scientific accomplishments
    15th Brazilian Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Natal, Brazil (2014)
  • Fellow
    American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (2014)
  • Mentorship Achievement Award
    Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (2014)
  • Associate Editor
    Hepatology (2012)
  • William and Rebecca Balistreri Chair of Pediatric Hepatology
    Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (2009-2022)
  • The Best Doctors in America
    2005 (2008-2021)
  • Graduating Resident Award for Excellence in Clinical Service
    Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ (1989)
  • Graduating Resident Award for Excellence in Research
    Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ (1989)
  • Graduating Resident Award for Excellence in Teaching
    Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ (1989)
  • Pediatric Resident Research Award
    American Academy of Pediatrics (1989)
  • Best Graduating Student, Merit Medal
    Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte School of Medicine (1984)
  • Top Doctor, Pediatrics
    2014-2015, 2017-2021, Cincinnati Magazine

Professional Associations/Affiliations

  • American Association for Advancement of Science (2000)
  • American Association for Studies of Liver Diseases (1994)
  • American Association for Studies of Liver Diseases, Fellow (2014)
  • American Association of Physicians (2015)
  • American Gastroenterological Association (1994)
  • American Gastroenterological Association, Fellow (2015)
  • American Pediatric Society (2005)
  • American Physiological Society (2003)
  • American Society for Clinical Investigation (2005)
  • North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (1994)
  • Society for Pediatric Research (2000)