Dr. Summers is well known for his work on small bowel motor activity. He has studied the effects of irradiation on the smooth muscle of both the small and large intestine.   His ongoing clinical studies include the examination of therapeutic agents in motility disorders and inflammatory bowel disease; aspirin and folic acid in the prevention of colonic polyps; and the effects of exercise on intestinal function.

Dr. Summers is particularly interested in gastrointestinal motility disorders; mechanisms of injury in radiation enteritis; colon cancer; and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Honors, Awards, and Organizations

• American Association for the Study of Liver Disease
• Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, and Board of Gastroenterology
• American Board of Internal Medicine: Member, Gastroenterology Board of Examiners, 1979-85
• American College of Physicians: Fellow
• American Gastroenterology Association,
• American Motility Society, President 1998-2000
• American Physiological Society
• American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
• Burroughs-Wellcome Research Travel Grant Recipient, 1979
• Central Society for Clinical Research
• Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
• Gastroenterology Research Group
• Iowa Foundation for Medical Care
• Janssen Research Council
• Midwest Gut Club
• USPHS Fogarty Fellowship in Gastrointestinal Physiology, 1980-

Medical School:
The University of Iowa

Residency:
Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital
The University of Iowa

Fellowship:
The University of Iowa