Obituary—Prof. Dr. Richard W. McCallum (1945–2025)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Prof. Dr. Richard W. McCallum, Editor-in-Chief of Gastrointestinal Disorders, in August 2025.

Our collaboration with Prof. Dr. McCallum began in 2018 when he began serving as our Editor-in-chief. During his tenure as Editor-in-Chief, he worked closely with the editorial members and staff to guide the journal through its development and growth. He was one of the undisputed pillars of the journal. We were privileged to have his enthusiasm guiding us through the journal’s milestones. We are grateful for his contributions to the journal and the legacy that his research has left in the academic world. 

Prof. Dr. McCallum was a professor and founding chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and chief of its Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. He was also director of the Center for Neurogastroenterology and GI Motility. 

Prof. Dr. McCallum pioneered the use of gastric electrical stimulation to treat gastroparesis, instigating a new direction of treatment for patients with nausea and vomiting. He was also a central figure in clinical research trials studying all the major prokinetics—drugs that enhance gastrointestinal motility, as well as antiemetics—agents working in the brain to block nausea. 

His death is a significant loss to the academic and scientific community and anyone close to him. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. 

Gastrointestinal Disorders Editorial Office