Course Information

11th Annual UCLA-Mellinkoff GI and Hepatology Symposium

Virtual and In-Person
UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center

March 17, 2023 to March 18, 2023

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The 11th Annual UCLA-Mellinkoff Gastroenterology and Hepatology Symposium is designed to offer healthcare professionals novel and integrative approaches to treat common GI disorders that can easily be implemented into practice and have significant impact on patient outcomes. In addition, an endoscopy forum with video and live cases will show case complex cases and new technology. Interactive, lively case-based presentations and debates by experts in their field will engage attendees and enhance this learning experience.

The symposium is a hybrid event and can be accessed through a live, virtual meeting web platform. Registrants will receive a virtual meeting link and password to access the conference and virtual exhibit hall.

The hands-on session and industry-supported lecture will provide valuable learning opportunities, though no accredited hours will be issued for these portions.

Target Audience

Gastroenterologists, GI endoscopists, hepatologists, GI physician assistants, GI nurse practitioners, GI nurses, GI fellows, and other allied healthcare professionals.

Course Fees

In-Person

  • $400 - MD/DO ($350 for UCLA GI fellow alumni)
  • $300 - Other healthcare professions
  • Complimentary - Fellows/trainees (email: trishajames@mednet.ucla.edu)

Virtual

Enroll Online

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover credit cards, and ACH/electronic payment.
*Credit card and check payments via phone, fax, or mail are no longer accepted.

MD, DO and Other Healthcare Professions

Click here to register

Fellows and Trainees

Step 1: Download and complete the registration form here.
Step 2: Email the completed form to Trisha James at trishajames@mednet.ucla.edu.

Enrollment Deadline

To ensure course material is received before the course begins, early registration is advised. Online registration will close at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, March 14th.

Enrollment after online registration has closed: Please call (310) 794 – 2620 between 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Pacific Standard Time) by Thursday, March 16th .

Enrollment on the day(s) of the course: Please call (310) 794 – 2620 between 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM (Pacific Standard Time) for virtual attendees. For in-person attendees, please enroll onsite.

Refunds

Cancellations must be received by email by March 3, 2023 to uclacme@mednet.ucla.edu and will be subject to a $75 processing fee. No refunds will be granted after that date. If, for any reason, the course is canceled, discontinued, or rescheduled by the Office of Continuing Medical Education, a full refund will be provided.

Those who choose the in-person option can also access the virtual platform. If the attendee decides to change from in-person to virtual only, this must be received via email by March 3, 2023 to uclacme@mednet.ucla.edu in order to receive a refund for the difference. We do not offer single day rates.

Course Directors
 

Director
V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, MAS, AGAF, FASGE, FACG
Medical Director of Endoscopy, UCLA Health
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Disease
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Co-Director
Eric Esrailian, MD, MPH
Chief, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases
Director, Melvin and Bren Simon Digestive Diseases Center
Lincy Foundation Chair in Clinical Gastroenterology
Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA


Invited Faculty
 

Maria T. Abreu, MD
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Medicine
Director, Crohn’s & Colitis Center
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
VP, American Gastroenterological Association

Audrey H. Calderwood, MD, MS, FACG, FASGE
PI, COOP Trial
Director, Comprehensive Gastroenterology Center
Associate Professor of Medicine
Geisel School of Medicine and the Dartmouth Institute
Staff Physician, Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

Vinay Chandrasekhara, MD, AGAF, FASGE
Consultant, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Pancreas Group
Program Director, Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship
Mayo Clinic - Rochester

Lucinda A. Harris, MS, MD
Professor of Medicine, Mayo School of Medicine
Consultant, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology  Department of Medicine
Mayo Clinic – Scottsdale

Kian Keyashian, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
Clinical Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program
Stanford University, School of Medicine


UCLA Faculty
 

Lin Chang, MD*†
Vice Chief, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases
Program Director, GI Fellowship Program
Co-Director, G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience
Professor of Medicine

Ellie Y. Chen, MD*†
Gastroenterology Fellow

Dinesh K. Chhetri, MD†
Vice-Chair, Department of Head and Neck Surgery
Director, UCLA Swallowing Disorders Program
Professor of Head and Neck Surgery

Gina Choi, MD*†
Associate Director, Transplant Hepatology Fellowship
Health Sciences Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery
Pfleger Liver Institute
Dumont-UCLA Liver Transplant Center

Ashwinee S. Condon, MD*†
Health Sciences Clinical Instructor of Medicine

Sonya S. Dasharathy, MD*†
Health Sciences Clinical Instructor of Medicine

Tien S. Dong, MD, PhD*†
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine

Mohamed El Kabany, MD*†
Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Hepatology
Pfleger Liver Institute
Dumont-UCLA Liver Transplant Center

Kevin Ghassemi, MD*†
Clinical Chief, Westwood & Beverly Hills
Melvin and Bren Simon Digestive Diseases Center
Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine

Craig Gluckman, MD*†
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine

Shahrad Hakimian, MD*†
Health Sciences Clinical Instructor of Medicine

Steven-Huy B. Han, MD, AGAF, FAASLD*†
Philip L. Palumbo Chair in Clinical Hepatology
Program Director, Transplant Hepatology Fellowship
Director, Hepatology Clinical Research Center
Assistant Director, UCLA Asian Liver Center 
Pfleger Liver Institute
Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Medicine & Surgery
Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation

Sentia Iriana, MD*†
Health Sciences Clinical Instructor of Medicine

Danny Issa, MD*†
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine

Nancee Jaffe, MS, RDN*†
Lead GI Dietitian

Kevork Kazanjian, MD, FACS, FASCRS*†
Professor of Surgery
Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Department of Surgery

Stephen Kim, MD *†
Director, Faculty Career Development in Advanced Endoscopy
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine

Jennifer Kolb, MD, MS†
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Staff Physician, VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care
Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Parenteral Nutrition

Mary R. Kwaan, MD, MPH †
Health Sciences Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery
Division of General Surgery
Department of Surgery

Danny Issa, MD*†
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine

Nancee Jaffe, MS, RDN*†
Lead GI Dietitian

Stephen Kim, MD*†
Director, Faculty Career Development in Advanced Endoscopy
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine

Mary R. Kwaan, MD, MPH †
Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor, Colon & Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery

Wendi G. LeBrett, MD*†
Health Sciences Clinical Instructor of Medicine

Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD *†
Director of Clinical Research
UCLA Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine

Anne Y. Lin, MD, MS †
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Chief Quality Officer, Division of General Surgery
Senior Quality Officer, UCLA Health

Lisa D. Lin, MD, MS*†
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine


Megan Oser, PhD*†
Director, Behavioral Medicine in Digestive Health
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine


Nipaporn Pichetshote, MD*†
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine


Sammy Saab, MD, MPH*†
Medical Director, Pfleger Liver Institute
Chief, Transplant Hepatology
Head, Outcomes Research in Hepatology
Dumont-UCLA Liver Transplant Center
Professor of Medicine and Surgery
Adjunct Professor of Nursing

Jenny Sauk, MD*†
Director of Clinical Care, Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine

Alireza Sedarat, MD*†
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine

Akshay Shetty, MD*†
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine and Surgery
Pfleger Liver Institute
Dumont-UCLA Liver Transplant Center

Jasleen Singh, MD*†
Health Sciences Clinical Instructor of Medicine and Surgery
Pfleger Liver Institute
Dumont-UCLA Liver Transplant Center

Suzanne R. Smith, MSN, NP, CMT-P*†
Integrative Health Practitioner
Melvin and Bren Simon Digestive Diseases Center at UCLA

Adarsh M. Thaker, MD*†
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine


Shelby Yaceczko, MS, RDN-AP, CNSC, CSSD*†
Advanced Practice Registered Dietitian


Beshoy T. Yanny, MD*†
Program Leader, Hepatology, UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine


* Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases
† David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Friday, March 17, 2023

7:00 - 7:50 am                                      Non-CME – Registration, Breakfast, Virtual and In-Person Exhibit Hall
7:50 - 7:55 am Welcoming Remarks
Eric Esrailian, MD, MPH, UCLA
7:55 - 8:00 am Course Overview
V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, MAS, UCLA

CME – Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Beyond the Basics
Moderator: Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD, UCLA

Panelists: Maria T. Abreu, MD, University of Miami; Kian Keyashian, MD, Stanford University; Mary Kwaan, MD, MPH, UCLA; Jenny Sauk, MD, UCLA
8:00 – 8:05 am Introduction
Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD, UCLA
8:05 – 8:30 am

Interactive Case-Based Discussion: General Management

What is the Evidence for Diets in IBD?
Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD, UCLA

8:30 – 9:45 am

Interactive Case-Based Discussion: Medical Therapy

Making Sense of the Dizzying Array of Biologics and Small Molecule Inhibitors
Kian Keyashian, MD, Stanford University

Tactical Approaches for Medication-Resistant IBD
Maria T. Abreu, MD, University of Miami

9:45 – 10:00 am Non-CME – Break, Virtual and In-Person Exhibit Hall
CME - Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Beyond the Basics
Moderator: Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD, UCLA
Panelists: Maria T. Abreu, MD, University of Miami; Kian Keyashian, MD, Stanford University; Mary Kwaan, MD, MPH, UCLA; Jenny Sauk, MD, UCLA
10:00 – 10:55 am

Interactive Case-Based Discussion: Special Populations

Practical Considerations for IBD in the Elderly
Kian Keyashian, MD, Stanford University

Practical Considerations for Pregnancy and IBD
Jenny Sauk, MD, UCLA

10:55 – 11:15 am Panel and Q & A
 
CME – Great Debates
Moderator: V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, MAS, UCLA
11:15 am – 12:00 pm

Proactive vs Reactive Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Maria T. Abreu, MD, University of Miami; Kian Keyashian, MD, Stanford University

Anticoagulation for Portal Vein Thrombosis in Patients with Cirrhosis
Sentia Iriana, MD, UCLA; Tien S. Dong, MD, PhD, UCLA

Surgery vs Endoscopic: Which is the Right Weight Loss Procedure for My Patient?
Adarsh M. Thaker, MD, UCLA

12:00 – 1:00 pm Non-CME – Lunch, Virtual and In-Person Exhibit Hall
 
CME – Endoscopy Forum: Video and Live Cases
Moderator: Adarsh M. Thaker, MD, UCLA
1:00 - 2:15 pm Vinay Chandrasekhara, MD, Mayo Clinic - Rochester; Ashwinee S. Condon, MD, UCLA; Danny Issa, MD, UCLA; Stephen Kim, MD, UCLA; Jennifer Kolb, MD, MS, UCLA VA; V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, MAS, UCLA; Alireza Sedarat, MD, UCLA
2:15 – 2:30 pm Non-CME – Break, Virtual and In-Person Exhibit Hall
 
CME – Esophageal Disorders
Moderator: Kevin Ghassemi, MD, UCLA
2:30 – 2:50 pm Barrett’s Esophagus: Best Practices for Screening and Surveillance
V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, MAS, UCLA
2:50 – 3:10 pm Evaluation of Noncardiac Chest Pain: Is It All Esophageal Spasm?
Lisa D. Lin, MD, MS, UCLA
3:10 – 3:30 pm EGJ Outflow Obstruction: Overcall or True Manometric Abnormality?
Nipaporn Pichetshote, MD, UCLA
3:30 – 3:50 pm The 4 D’s of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Drugs, Diet, Dilation and (More) Drugs
Craig Gluckman, MD, UCLA
3:50 – 4:30 pm Case Studies, Panel and Q & A
 
4:30 pm Adjourn
4:30 – 5:30 pm Non-CME – Hands-On Session

Saturday, March 18, 2023

7:00 – 7:55 am Non-CME – Breakfast, Virtual and In-Person Exhibit Hall
7:55 – 8:00 am Welcoming Remarks
V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, MAS, UCLA
CME – Functional GI / Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI)
Moderator: Lin Chang, MD, UCLA
Panelists: Ellie Y. Chen, MD, UCLA; Lucinda A. Harris, MS, MD, Mayo Clinic - Scottsdale; Nancee Jaffe, MS, RDN, UCLA; Wendi G. LeBrett, MD, UCLA; Megan Oser, PhD, UCLA; Suzanne R. Smith, MSN, NP, CMT-P, UCLA
8:00 – 8:05 am Introduction
Lin Chang, MD, UCLA
8:05 – 8:10 am Case Presentation: Abdominal Pain and Constipation in a Patient with Fibromyalgia
Wendi G. LeBrett, MD, UCLA
8:10 – 8:25 am A Multidisciplinary Approach to Managing IBS-C
Lin Chang, MD, UCLA
8:25 – 8:40 am Panel Discussion
 
8:40 – 8:50 am Case Presentation: Patient with IBS-D Symptoms and POTS
Ellie Y. Chen, MD, UCLA
8:50 – 9:10am POTS, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
and Overlap with DGBIs
Lucinda A. Harris, MS, MD, Mayo Clinic - Scottsdale
9:10 – 9:25 am Panel Discussion
9:25 – 10:00 am Interactive Case-Based DGBI Disorders
  • Managing a Patient on a Prolonged Restrictive Diet with Persistent Symptoms
  • Managing DGBI with Coexistent Psychological Disorders
Panel Discussion
10:00 – 10:15 am Non-CME – Break, Virtual and In-Person Exhibit Hall
CME – Liver Disorders
Moderator: Mohamed El Kabany, MD, UCLA
10:15 - 10:35 am New Concepts in Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease
Sammy Saab, MD, MPH, UCLA
10:35 - 10:55 am Management of Patients with Alcohol Hepatitis: Hospital and Beyond - The Patient Journey
Akshay Shetty, MD, UCLA
10:55 - 11:15 am Treating NASH 2023: Current and Near Future Treatments
Jasleen Singh, MD, UCLA
11:15 - 11:35 am Mass Lesions of the Liver
Steven-Huy B. Han, MD, UCLA
11:35 - 11:55 am Liver Disease and Pregnancy
Gina Choi, MD, UCLA
11:55 am - 12:15 pm Case Presentations and Q & A
Beshoy T. Yanny, MD, UCLA
12:20 – 1:20 pm

Non-CME – Lunch, Lecture, Virtual and In-person Exhibit Hall
Risk Stratification in Barrett’s Esophagus
Stuart Jon Spechler, MD, AGAF, FACG
Chief, Division of Gastroenterology; Co-Director, Center for Esophageal Diseases
Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas
Co-Director, Center for Esophageal Research, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute
Industry supported: Castle Biosciences

CME – Colon and Rectal
Moderator: Sonya S. Dasharathy, MD, UCLA
1:15 – 1:35 pm An Update on Non-Colonoscopy Methods of Screening for Colon Cancers
Shahrad Hakimian, MD, UCLA
1:35 – 1:55 pm Preventing the Inadequate Bowel Prep
Audrey H. Calderwood, MD, MS, Dartmouth-Hitchcock
1:55 – 2:15 pm Assessment and Classification of Large Colon Polyps
Stephen Kim, MD, UCLA
2:15 – 2:35 pm Minimally Invasive Management of Colorectal Cancer
Kevork Kazanjian, MD, UCLA
2:35 – 2:55 pm Diagnosis and Management of Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissures
Anne Y. Lin, MD, MS, UCLA
2:55 – 3:15 pm Panel and Q & A
3:15 – 3:30 pm Non-CME - Break, Virtual and In-Person Exhibit Hall
CME – Pancreaticobiliary
Moderator: Stephen Kim, MD, UCLA
3:30 - 3:50 pm Management of Acute Pancreatitis and It’s Complications
Vinay Chandrasekhara, MD, Mayo Clinic – Rochester
3:50 - 4:05 pm Exocrine Pancreas Insufficiency
Shelby Yaceczko, MS, RDN-AP, CNSC, CSSD, CCTD, UCLA
4:05 - 4:25 pm Role of Pancreatoscopy in Chronic Pancreatitis
Alireza Sedarat, MD, UCLA
4:25 - 4:40 pm Pancreas Cancer Screening: Am I a Candidate? Review of the Guideline
Stephen Kim, MD, UCLA
4:40 - 5:00 pm Panel and Q & A
5:00 pm Adjourn

At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

  • Discuss the current medical management and nutrition counseling guidelines for treating patients with IBD; including special populations including pregnancy and older patients
  • Describe the latest diagnostic, therapeutic and nutrition advances to treat esophageal disorders 
  • Apply the latest pharmacological, dietary, and brain-gut behavioral management strategies to treat functional GI disorders and overlapping disorders
  • Demonstrate a structured approach for the evaluation and treatment of patients with liver disorders 
  • Apply the current colon and rectal cancer screening guidelines and the interdisciplinary management strategies for polyp detection
  • Discuss the current guidelines and recommended screening protocols for pancreas cancer
  • Discuss advanced therapeutic endoscopy options to treat patients with gastrointestinal disorders

CME Credits

The Office of Continuing Medical Education, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Office of Continuing Medical Education, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA designates this live activity for a maximum of 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.

ABIM MOC

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 15 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Nurses

The California State Board of Registered Nursing accepts courses approved by the AMA for Category 1 Credit(s) as meeting the continuing education requirements for license renewal. Nurses from states other than California should inquire with their local State Board for specific continuing education policies. Nursing participants, who attend both days in full, will be awarded 15 CMEs. Partial credit is not available. For more information, please visit the California BRN website or contact Kathleen Feldman, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, at KFeldman@mednet.ucla.edu

The FDA has issued a concept paper which classified commercial support of scientific and educational programs as promotional unless it can be affirmed that the program is “truly independent” and free of commercial influence. In addition to independence, the FDA requires that non-promotional, commercially supported education be objective, balanced, and scientifically rigorous. The policy further states that all potential conflicts of interest of the CME staff and faculty be disclosed to the program’s participants. In addition, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education policy mandates that the sponsor adequately manage all identified potential conflicts of interest prior to the program. We, at UCLA, fully endorse the letter and spirit of these concepts.

Location

UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center
425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095

The UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center and its adjoining hotel is a LEED Platinum-certified property enhanced by leading edge resources. It’s central location makes it a wonderful base from which to explore many exciting cultural opportunities, including the UCLA Fowler Museum, Geffen Playhouse, UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame and The Getty Museum as well as shopping and dining in nearby Beverly Hills. luskinconferencecenter.ucla.edu

Overnight Accommodations

We urge you to make reservations early. A limited block of rooms, at a special rate of $309 + tax has been reserved. The rates will be honored three days pre-and post-meeting based on group room availability. Internet access is complimentary to overnight guests.

To receive this rate, you must make your reservation before the room block is filled and by the expiration date of February 21, 2023. Attendees are responsible for their own reservations. The standard hotel reservation cancellation policy will apply to the individual reservations, unless otherwise specified.

To reserve a room, call 855-522-8252 and ask for group code: LG2303MELA. Or make a reservation online at bit.ly/3FFeBfn.

Conference Parking

From the 405 freeway, exit Wilshire Blvd., East toward Westwood. Turn left on Westwood Blvd., travel past Charles E. Young Dr. South and turn left on Structure 8 driveway. Drive up the ramp to the rooftop level to park. Pay stations are located up on the roof top. All day self parking is $15. There is a convenient walkway/bridge connecting Parking Structure 8 (on level 3) to the Luskin Conference Center Property. The Luskin Conference Center is located at Westwood Plaza and Strathmore Place.

Overnight self parking is available at The Luskin Conference Center at $32 per night.
There is also self parking available at Parking Structure 8 at $26 per night.
All parking rates are subject to change. For additional information, please visit: luskinconferencecenter.ucla.edu/about/campus-map-parking/