1
Oct 2015
PETER BENJAMIN COTTON
CURRICULUM VITAE
Career Summary
Peter Cotton is Professor of Medicine in the Digestive Disease Center at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, USA.
He was born in 1939 in England, where his father was a rural family physician. He graduated in 1963 from Cambridge University and St. Thomas Hospital Medical School (London). He developed the Endoscopy Laboratory at St. Thomas’ Hospital whilst still officially in training, and brought ERCP back from Japan in 1971. In 1973 he was appointed to the faculty of the Middlesex Hospital and Medical School (London) as Director of Gastroenterology, where he developed a new department integrating medical and surgical gastroenterology, with an emphasis on endoscopic therapy and teaching. His group pioneered many diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy procedures, particularly ERCP (sphincterotomy and stenting) and was very active in teaching. He attracted postgraduates from many countries, held numerous teaching courses, and pioneered live CCTV workshops.
Dr. Cotton left England in 1986 to become Professor of Medicine and Chief of Endoscopy at DukeUniversity, Durham, North Carolina, USA. He developed a state of the art endoscopy center. He maintained his interests in teaching (mainly through live video courses), new techniques, and careful outcome evaluation. He moved to Charleston, South Carolina in 1994 to initiate the Digestive Disease Center.
The mission of the Digestive Disease Center is to provide a multidisciplinary environment in which to provide patient-friendly, cost-effective care, and to pursue the research and teaching necessary to enhance it. It has seen huge growth in many areas, and has been recognised repeatedly as one of the top 50 Digestive programs in USA. Dr Cotton stepped down as Director in 2007, but remained on the faculty focusing on patients with known or suspected pancreatic and biliary diseases. He retired from active clinical practice on May 13th 2011, and will remain at MUSC doing research and teaching. He isinvolved in endoscopy innovation, and in the quality agenda, promoting personal report cards and benchmarking.
Dr. Cotton has been active in many National and International organizations, and has given invited lectures and demonstrations in over 50 countries. He helped form the British Society for Digestive Endoscopy, and served the British Society of Gastroenterology as its vice president and treasurer. He was secretary of the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and president of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain. He was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London) in 1978, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Glasgow) in 1997, and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (London) in 2002. He is an honorary member of the British Society of Gastroenterology, the Hong Kong Society for Digestive Endoscopy, and the South African Gastroenterology Society. Dr Cotton was awarded the Rudolph Schindler award of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in 2004.
His bibliography includes more than 900publications, including more than 300 original contributions in peer-reviewed journals, and 14 books. “Practical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy” (co-authored by Christopher Williams) is the standard teaching text, currently in its 7th Edition, and has been translated into 8 languages. He has been on the editorial boards of 12 gastroenterology journals, and was the first international editor of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. He also recently published his “endoscopic memoirs” called “The tunnel at the end of the light”, available at and a childrens series of books starting with “When Fred the Snake got Squished and Mended”, available at Amazon.com, and
Peter and Marion Cotton live happily on Dewees Island, South Carolina. Between them they have 4 grown children in Atlanta, GA, Goldsboro, NC, Oxford and Bury St. Edmunds, UK, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. They enjoy family, friends, travel, wildlife and golf.
PETER B. COTTON
Status: Born British, 15th June 1939
US Citizen
Office address: Medical University of South Carolina, Digestive Disease Center, 25 Courtenay Dr, ART 7100A, MSC 290, Charleston, South Carolina, USA,29425-2900
Telephone: 843/876-7217;FAX 843/876-4718
E-mail:
Web sites:
EDUCATION (IN ENGLAND)
High School:Leighton Park School, Reading, Berkshire1953-57
College:Cambridge University (Exhibitioner, King’s College)1957-60
Medical School:St. Thomas’ Hospital and Medical School, London1960-63
Undergraduate Degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Cambridge (BA)1960
Master of Arts, Cambridge (MA)1963
Medical graduation: Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Cambridge (MB, B.Chir) 1963
Intern and Junior Resident appointments in London, Southampton, and Birmingham (July 1963-Oct 1966)
Specialist training in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Registrar and Senior Registrar, St. Thomas’ Hospital and Medical School London (Oct 1966-Dec 1973).
Specialty degrees and certification:
Diploma of Child Health, London (DCH)1965
Membership Royal College of Physicians (MRCP London)1966
Accreditation in Gastroenterology (RCP London)1970
Cambridge Doctorate by Thesis (MD)1971
Licensure:British General Medical Council (since 1963)
USA; North Carolina (1987-) #33182; South Carolina (1994-) #17271,
California (honorary 1992-)
Military Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1957-1962)
FACULTY APPOINTMENTS
1973-1986Senior Lecturer in Medicine, The Middlesex Hospital and Medical School, London
1987-1994Professor of Medicine, Duke University, North Carolina, USA
1994-Professor of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS
1971Visiting Professor, Pahlavi University Medical School, Shiraz, Iran
1973-1986Consultant Physician and Director, Department of Gastroenterology, Middlesex Hospital, London
1975-1986Consulting Physician, King Edward VII Hospital for Officers and Royalty, London
1978-1986Consulting Physician, St. Luke’s Hospital for the Clergy, London
1986-1994Chief of Endoscopy, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University
Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
1994-2007Director, Digestive Disease Center, Medical University of South Carolina,
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
AWARDS AND HONORS
Honorary Memberships:American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy1982
Hong Kong Society of Digestive Endoscopy1995
British Society of Gastroenterology2000
South African Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Society2004
Elected Fellowships:Royal College of Physicians (FRCP London)1978
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (FRCP Glasgow)1997
Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS London)2002
Elected to Best Doctors in America 1998-
Elected to Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare 2000-
Elected to Who’s Who in America 2001-
Elected to The National Registry of Who’s Who 2001-
Rudolph Schindler Award, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2004
MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
British Medical Association
British Society of Gastroenterology
American Gastroenterologic Association
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Association of Physicians, Great Britain
Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland
European Pancreatic Club
International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association
American College of Gastroenterology
ELECTED POSITIONS IN SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATIONS
Royal College of Physicians, London; Standing Committee of Members (1973-1976)
Committee on Gastroenterology (1978-1982)
British Society of Gastroenterology;Councillor (1977-1981)
Vice President (Endoscopy) (1980-1981)
Treasurer (1984-1986)
British Society for Digestive Endoscopy;Executive Committee from foundation (1971-1979)
President (1979-1980)
Joint Committee Higher Medical Training, Department of Health, U.K.; Gastroenterology (1979- 1983)
European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; Councillor (1980-1983), Administrative Secretary (1984-1986)
Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland; Councillor (1979-1982), President (1981-1982)
American Gastroenterological Association; Patient Care Committee (1988-1991)
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; Training Committee (1990-1992), Program Committee (1993-1995)
American Digestive Health Foundation Research Committee (1994-1997)
Co-Chair, American Society for Gastrintestinal Endoscopy Workshop on ERCP Outcome Metrics (2001)
Member, Quality Committee, ASGE(2006-10)
Co-Chair. OMED Quality working party (2007-9)
Co-Chair, ASGE workshop on adverse events at Endoscopy (2008-9)
EDITORIAL BOARDS
Gut (1982-1985)
Rendiconti di Gastroenterologia (1984-1990)
Acta Endoscopica (1980-1986)
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Board (1989-1995), International Editor (1996-1998)
Italian Journal of Gastroenterology (1981-1994)
Pancreas (1985-1992)
HPB Surgery – A World Journal of Hepato Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery (1988-1996)
Minimal Invasive Therapy (1990-1996)
Endoscopy (1990-1998)
Journal of Laparoendoscopic Surgery (1993-1996)
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology (1993-9)
Digestive Endoscopy, Japan (1994-1998)
Gastrohep.com (2000-)
Reviewer for numerous other National and International Journals
ACADEMIC COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES AT MUSC
Chairman, University International Committee, MUSC (1996-2000)
Member, University Committee on Diversity, MUSC (1996-2000)
Chairman, University Informatics Steering Committee, MUSC (1998-2000)
Chairman, Search Committee for Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean, MUSC (2000)
Member, University Information Management Council, MUSC (2000-2004)
Member, CME Committee, MUSC (2000-6)
Member, Search Committee for Chair of Radiology (2003)
Member, Search Committee for Chair of Surgery (2007)
Member, Dean’s Working Party on Conflict of Interest (2006)
Chairman, DDSL Endoscopy Quality Committee (2012-14)
TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES AT MUSC
Graduate Education—Teaching of Fellows in the Digestive Disease Center
Director, Annual Gastroenterology Update conference
Web-based education; educational materials for patients and physicians (
MAJOR CLINICAL INTERESTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical activity has been restricted to management of patients with known or suspected diseases of the biliary tree and pancreas.Retired from active clinical practice in May 2011.
RESEARCH AND GRANT SUPPORT
Approximately 50% of time is now spent on clinical research projects. Research activities focus on the development and evaluation of techniques for GI endoscopic diagnosis and therapy, particularly in the area of biliary and pancreatic diseases.
FUNDING
02/27/1995 – 02/26/199920%
MUSC Research Foundation/National Institute$860,000
of Science Technology
Health Care Information Infrastructure
09/01/1997 – 06/30/20005%
MUSC Research Foundation/Boston Scientific$474,000
Stent or Radiation Therapy Intervention for Esophageal Cancer Dysphagia Analysis Plan
04/26/1999 – 12/31/200410%
Office of Naval Research$1,669,682
Comparison of Virtual Colonoscopy and Conventional Colonoscopy in the Detection of Polyps/Masses
09/27/2000 – 02/28/20011%
ChiRhoClin$5,835
Synthetic Human Secretin Open-Label Clinical Use Protocol
NIDDK RO3 Planning GrantPI2005 $100,000
SODIII trial
NIH UO1 DK074739-01A1 PI 50%
EPISOD study. 09/01/2008 – 06/30/2016 $6,500,000
INVITED LECTURES (since 2001)
2001
JanuaryASGE ERCP Outcomes Workshop, Atlanta, GA
FebruaryNew Zealand and Australian Gastroenterology Workshop, Auckland, Sydney
MarchAGA Training Directors Workshop, Dallas, TX
AprilAssociation of West Indian Gastroenterologists, Puerto Rico
MayAGA Postgraduate Course, and AGA/ASGE Clinical Challenges, DDW, Atlanta, GA
SeptemberGastroenterology Course, Oxford, England
DecemberHong Kong Society for Digestive Endoscopy
2002
JanuaryNIH “State of the Science of ERCP” Consensus Conference
MayNY Mt. Sinai Grand Rounds
JuneWessex (England) Gastroenterology Group
AugustTennessee Gut Club
OctoberAustralian Gastroenterology Society Annual Meeting (Auckland)
Rome European Workshop on Endoscopy
2003
OctoberPresident Endonord Endoscopy Meeting, Hamburg, Germany
DecemberHong Kong Society for Digestive Endoscopy Annual Workshop
2004
February Endoscopy workshops in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia
JuneJames Respass Lecture, University of Virginia
AugustLouis Mirvish Lecture, South African Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Society, Capetown
DecemberHong Kong Society for Digestive Endoscopy Workshop
2005
January Endoscopy Masters forum, Orlando
February Lecture tour Australia
Endoscopy symposium, Mayo clinic, Scottsdale Physicians Endoscopy keynote, Bahamas
March Lilly Lecture, Royal College of Physicians, London, England
April GI cancer symposium, UNC, Hilton Head
Sir Arthur Hurst Keynote Lecture, British Society of Gastroenterology, Birmingham, England
Quality symposium, Mayo clinic, Jacksonville
May ASGE post-graduate course
Texas GI society, Dallas
August Idaho Gut Club, Sun Valley
September Frontiers of Endoscopy, Charleston, SC
October Future of Training in Endoscopy, Amsterdam, Eindhoven
December Endoscopy symposium, Melbourne, Australia
Therapeutic Endoscopy workshop, Hong Kong
2006
January Endoscopy Masters forum, Orlando
FebruarYRichard D. McKenna Lecture, Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, Calgary
MarchVisiting Professor, University of Gotenburg, Sweden
Research symposium, NOSCAR annual meeting, Scottsdale, AZ
August5th Sharada Memorial Oration, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, India
SeptemberERCP National Workshop, Shrewsbury, England
October Endoscopy symposium, Las Vegas
November Mexican Association of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Cancun, Mexico
DecemberMinda and Don Wilson Lecture, Hong Kong
University Hospital GI meeting, London, UK
2007
January Endoscopy Masters forum, Orlando
Pancreas workshop, University of Pittsburg
FebruaryLecture tour New Zealand and Australia, London
AprilBasil Hirschowitz Visiting Professorship, University of Alabama, Birmingham
Apollo Endosurgery, Orlando
MayBasil Hirschowitz Keynote Lecture, ASGE Postgraduate Course, Washington DC
Keynote address, SGNA, Baltimore
June Dinner lecture, Charlotte, NC
JulyKeynote Lecture, NOSCAR National Meeting, San Diego
Barosense Lab, Palo Alto, CA
SeptemberMiddlesx University Hospital ERCP course, London
OctoberFrontiers of Endoscopy, Charleston, SC
ASGE Quality committee, Palm Springs, CA
Cook symposium, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Holland
2008
January Endoscopy Masters forum, Orlando
February Keynote address Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology, Kuala Lumpur
Moderator, Advanced Endoscopy workshop, Sydney, Australia
March Visiting professor, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta
May ASGE postgraduate course
September Chair, Quality Symposium, Indian Society of Gastroeneterology, Delhi
2009
February Presidential address, Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology, Athens
April Presidential address, West Indian Society of Gastroenterology, Jamaica
May ASGE Postgraduate course, Chicago
June Endoscopy symposium, Darwin, Australia
ERCP quality research meeting, London
October North Region Endoscopy Group, England
December Hong Kong Society for Digestive Endoscopy
2010
January Keynote, South American Association of Gastroenterology, Panama
February University of Califiornia Irvine Guest speaker
March British Society of Gastroenterology annual meeting. Chair, Quality symposium
April Johns Hopkins, Baltimore,guest speaker
May Frank Moody lecture, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary tract
June McMaster University, Canada, visiting Professor
Canadian Association for Gastroenterology Quality and Standards symposium
2011
January Los Angeles. Endoscopy Masters Forum
Auckland, New Zealand, keynote Quality symposium
March Charleston. Chair, Frontiers of Endoscopy.
Milwaukee. International Federation for Functional Disorders, SOD symposium
April Mumbai, India. Master oration. Digestive endoscopy in 6 decades.
June Hanover Germany. Keynote lecture. Adverse events in Endoscopy.
September Canberra, Australia, keynote
December Columbia University, New York. Charles Flood memorial lecture
New York Society for GI Endoscopy. Keynote lecture
New York ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program, keynote.
Montefiore Medical Center, New York. Problems in surgery; biliary dyskinesia
2012
February Montreal. Canada Association of Gastroenterology. State of the art
Orlando Florida. Chair, Frontiers meeting
April Salisbury, England. ERCP symposium Chair
May ASGE, San Diego. Chair, Quality in ERCP
October SGNA Infection Prevention Summit “ERCP infection risks”
2013
MarchSydney Australia. Westmead symposium. “Hazards of ERCP”
JuneMadison, CT. 8th Annual Yale DDW review. “Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction”
SeptemberSalisbury, UK. Annual ERCP symposium. “Travels with an endoscope”
St Thomas’s Hospital Endoscopy Education Day. “Endoscopy- the early days”
OctoberSan Diego. ACG Annual meeting. Plenary session “Results of the EPISOD study”
San Diego. ACG “Medico-legal aspects of ERCP”
2014
FebruaryAuckland, New Zealand. OBEX symposium. “Travels with an endoscope”
FebruaryOrlando, FL. Chair, Frontiers meeting
March New Orleans, USA. ACG Postgrad course“Digestive endoscopy; then, now and maybe”
MayNashville USA. SGNA Annual meeting. “Safety and Quality in Endoscopy”
October Duke University NC. “ERCP: Then, now and maybe”
DecemberRome, Italy. Rome IV symposium “Functional Biliary Disorders”
2015
JanuarySan Diego, CA. Chair, Frontiers meeting
JuneNoosa Australia. 19th Annual GESQ update “Does Sphinctrer of Oddi dysfunction exist?
July Pittsburgh Pancreasfest. “The future of pancreatic Endoscopy”
AugustCambridge, UK 55 year College Reunion “The tunnel at the end of the light”
Stoke on Trent, UK. Chair ERCP workshop
November Nanchang, China. 30th Anniversary Chinese Endoscopy Society. “Digestive endoscopy; then, now and maybe”
DecemberHong Kong, China. 30th Annual Endoscopy workshop “ Early days of therapeutic endoscopy”
BIBLIOGRAPHY (details on request)
932 contributions:
Original articles in peer review journals, 321
Invited reviews/editorials, 68
Books,14
Chapters in other books, 83
Meeting abstracts, 366
Letters to journals, 70
Web publications, 10