Hundreds of gastroenterologists from Ohio and nearby states will converge in Cleveland on Nov. 6 and 7, 2014, for Cleveland Clinic’s 50th Annual Gastroenterology (GI) Update. A comprehensive review of the latest information in gastroenterology, GI Update helps clinicians stay current on research, clinical trials, endoscopic techniques and treatment options.

Attendees can earn up to 14.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

“Lots of interaction is built in, so attendees can meet Cleveland Clinic faculty, ask questions and get advice on treating patients with difficult cases,” says Cleveland Clinic gastroenterologist Bret Lashner, MD, director of GI Update.

This is the 50^th anniversary of the course, which is open to all physicians, nurses, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in gastroenterology, internal medicine, family practice and gastrointestinal surgery. Cleveland Clinic alumni will help celebrate this milestone by participating in case discussion panels. Featured speakers are Cleveland Clinic alumni or fellowship program directors.

Here, Consult QD – Digestive asks Dr. Lashner to answer some FAQs about this popular course.

Q: Who should attend?

A: The event will be especially useful for clinicians who care for patients with complicated GI conditions. They will be able to get the latest information and recommendations from course faculty and esteemed alumni.

Q:What can attendees expect?

A: Attendees will learn from numerous presentations on:

• Liver diseases
• Colon polyp surveillance strategies
• Esophageal issues
• Endoscopy
• IBD

On Friday, we will have our popular endoscopy video quiz (always a crowd favorite). Everyone in the audience competes for prizes — and bragging rights!

Breakfast, lunch and refreshments are included with the program.

Q: What will be the highlights?

A: Our two CME luncheon presentations are sure to be highlights. On Thursday, Cleveland Clinic’s Claudio Fiocchi, MD, will discuss “New Ideas in IBD Therapy: Bringing the Bench to the Bedside.” Dr. Fiocchi is a leading IBD immunologist, and his insights will be informative and provocative.

On Friday, Maged Rizk, MD, Cleveland Clinic gastroenterologist and Quality Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease Institute, will follow up on the captivating presentation he gave last year on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He will recap the ACA’s first year and share how physicians and practices can function successfully under the law.

Other featured lecturers include:

• Gary Falk, MD, Co-Director of Esophagology and Swallowing Center at University of Pennsylvania Health System, on “Advanced Endoscopic Techniques in Barrett’s Esophagus” (Mark Blue Memorial Lecture).
• John Vargo, MD, Chair of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Cleveland Clinic, on “The Impact of Health Care Reform on the Provision of Colonoscopy and Suggestions for Resilience” (Charles Brown Memorial Lecture).
• Arthur McCullough, MD, Cleveland Clinic gastroenterologist, on “NASH and NAFLD” (Richard Farmer Honorary Lecture). Dr. McCullough is nationally recognized for his research on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Reena Khanna, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at University of Western Ontario, on “The Newest Therapies in IBD” (George Rankin Memorial Lecture). Dr. Khanna is a former Cleveland Clinic IBD fellow who is on the forefront of drug development for IBD.

Q: How is this event different from other GI educational events?

A: No other course covers current GI issues as thoroughly and with our caliber of presenters. Cleveland Clinic faculty and alumni are renowned in the field. We welcome GI clinicians to connect with them and potentially initiate ongoing contact.

For more about GI Update or to register, visit ccfcme.org/GIUpdate