Richard K. Sterling, M.D., M.Sc., FACP, FACG, AGAF
Distinguished Mentor Award
Professor of Department of Internal Medicine
Department: School of Medicine
The best mentors empower others, provide support, and help mentees realize their full potential. Dr. Richard Sterling exemplifies these qualities and more as he positively impacts the careers, as well as the lives, of those he mentors.
Dr. Sterling earned his M.D. in 1988 from Thomas Jefferson University and completed his Internal Medicine residency (1988-1991) and fellowships in Gastroenterology and Hepatology (1991-1994) at the Medical College of Virginia at VCU, joining the faculty as an Assistant Professor in 1997. In 2007, he earned an M.Sc. in Biostatistics and Clinical Research from VCU and advanced to Professor of Medicine with tenure in 2011. He has held numerous leadership roles, including Chief of the Hepatology Section (2011-present) and Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Internal Medicine (2020-present). He also directed both the GI and Transplant Hepatology Fellowships and served as Associate Chair of Education and Training for the GI Division. He is currently the Chief Clinical Officer of the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health and is a fellow in four national professional organizations: American College of Physicians, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Association for the Study of Liver Disease.
Recognized as a multifaceted researcher, leader, and clinician, Dr. Sterling has been a pillar of the academic community since 1997. His influence extends beyond departmental boundaries, launching mentorship initiatives, creating research pipelines, and championing database tools that have measurably increased NIH funding. His research contributions are extensive, including development of the FIB-4 index for assessing liver fibrosis and significant work in the areas of viral hepatitis, liver disease in HIV patients, alcohol-associated liver disease, liver transplantation, and hepatocellular carcinoma. He has an impressive H-index of 87, over 350 peer-reviewed publications, and continuous extramural research funding from the NIH. He is described as a nationally and internationally recognized expert whose collaborative research has elevated VCU's reputation in liver disease and liver transplantation. He is also noted for his hands-on approach, guiding mentees through complex processes like grant applications and navigating research systems (REDCap, Epic, IRB).
Dr. Sterling received numerous teaching-related awards from VCU, including nine Outstanding Teacher Awards, one Best Teacher Award and one Outstanding Course Director Award for M2 Gastroenterology. In addition to receiving departmental awards for excellence in service (2018) and scholarship (2020), he was honored with the Thames-Kontos Faculty Mentoring Award in 2023. Dr. Sterling has also been voted as a “Top Doc” many times by Richmond Magazine. He has formally mentored over 60 individuals and is repeatedly lauded for his profound personal commitment to mentoring, which is characterized as transformational, marked by deep caring and lifelong advocacy. He is noted for his remarkable accessibility, consistently offering his time, guidance, and encouragement to learners and colleagues at every stage of their development, often without formal obligation. Testimonials from current and former students and colleagues confirm him to be a strong ally for trainees and someone who remains a valuable resource even after mentees move on to positions elsewhere. Furthermore, he actively engages in sponsorship, propelling mentees toward career opportunities, providing projects to advance their portfolios, and introducing them to leaders in the field to grow their networks. Dr. Sterling’s mentees praise him for his patient, nurturing, and understanding approach, going above and beyond to ensure their success. His ability to identify strengths and weaknesses and bring out the best in individuals, coupled with his care for both professional and personal development, makes him a highly sought-after mentor. Dr. Sterling’s "infectious enthusiasm" for teaching and his compassionate nature have earned him the description of "a scholar, but more importantly, a gentleman first.” It is a great pleasure to recognize a mentor as well-respected and appreciated as Dr. Sterling.