University of Cincinnati
02/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/04/2026 18:07
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announces appointment to UC Board of Trustees
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announces appointment to UC Board of Trustees
Statements from Chairman Gregory Hartmann and President Pinto on new Trustee Dr. Pradeep Bekal
2 minute read February 4, 2026 Share on facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print StoryLike
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has appointed Cincinnati physician and researcher Pradeep Bekal, MD, FACG, to the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees.
Dr. Pradeep Bekal
A board-certified gastroenterologist, Dr. Bekal serves as a board member and senior vice president of clinical affairs for Ohio at Gastro Health, one of the nation's largest gastroenterology groups. Dr. Bekal also serves as the organization's medical director of clinical data & analytics. Additionally, he is chief of gastroenterology at The Christ Hospital and a principal investigator on numerous clinical trials that explore the efficacy and safety of new drugs to treat gastrointestinal conditions.
UC Board of Trustees Chairman Greg Hartmann praised the appointment: "Dr. Bekal's leadership, medical expertise, and commitment to our community will be a tremendous asset as we continue advancing UC's mission," said Hartmann.
An accomplished physician, Dr. Bekal is well-known within the local and national GI communities for his leadership as well as his proficiency in general and advanced endoscopic procedures. Outside of the field of medicine, Dr. Bekal sits on the board of directors for the Cincinnati Port Authority. He graduated from Madras Medical College in Madras, India, completed his residency in internal medicine at New York - Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn and completed two fellowships at Brooklyn Hospital Medical Center and Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
We are honored to welcome Dr. Pradeep Bekal to our Board of Trustees. His background as a physician-leader brings an important perspective, particularly at the intersection of education, research and health innovation.
UC President Neville G. Pinto.
"We are honored to welcome Dr. Pradeep Bekal to our Board of Trustees," said UC President Neville G. Pinto. "His background as a physician-leader brings an important perspective, particularly at the intersection of education, research and health innovation."
Ohio is our home
The University of Cincinnati drives Ohio's economy with a $22.7 billion statewide impact, supporting over 125,000 jobs. Through innovation, research and workforce development, UC fuels economic growth and enhances quality of life across the state.
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