By Lauren Johnson
Medical professionals, fellows and residents gathered together in August for a conference to learn about new techniques, technologies and treatments for a variety of procedures and disorders seen by gastroenterologists.
Mohamad Eloubeidi, MD, president of the Alabama Gastroenterology Association of Alabama, put together the program with speakers from across the country and had a record high attendance.
“Every speaker was an expert in their field,” Eloubeidi said. “Conferences like this are important because it allows us to stay up to date and get continuous medical education credits. It also helps to have camaraderie with your colleagues, and to educate the next generation. Overall, it was a very positive experience.”
Over the course of the three-day conference at the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Resort, attendees listened to 12 speakers and 17 poster presentations on a variety of topics. Gastroenterology Fellows also got to participate in three different workshops.
“We had, for the first time, a novel symposium to enlighten the Fellows on what it’s like to be in private practice,” Eloubeidi said.
The lecture line up included the following speakers and topics:
Paul Feuerstadt, MD, associative clinical professor of medicine at Yale University School of Medicine, discussed management of recurrent C. difficile colitis in 2025.
“The goal for treatment is to attack the vegetative phase and to boost the immune system,” Eloubeidi said. “Fidaxomicin is the preferred treatment followed by Vancomycin taper and pulsed regimen.” Additional treatment includes Bezlotxumab or fecal microbiota transplantation for a second CDI recurrence.
Nicholas Shaheen, MD, professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, talked about management of Barrett’s esophagus, dysplasia and prevention of cancer.
“Dr. Shaheen emphasized the role of non-endoscopic modalities to screen the population for Barrett’s esophagus using sponges, balloons and blood tests,” Eloubeidi said. “Screening for Barrett’s esophagus is extremely important since esophageal adenocarcinoma has been dramatically rising in the last several decades.”
Bahahak Moshiree, MD, director of motility and professor of medicine at Wake Forest Medical University, gave a lecture on the evaluation and management of gastroparesis.
“Dr. Moshiree explored the gaps in diagnosis and new interventions that may help us differentiate DBGI symptoms versus motility disorder,” Eloubeidi said. “She discussed the management of gastroparesis starting with diet, and she went over a step-up approach to augmentation management including prokinetics, neuromodulators, gastroelectric stimulation and pyloric therapies.”
Jason Dominitz, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Seattle, discussed colorectal screening. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. In 2025, it’s estimated there will be 154,270 cases of colon cancer in the U.S., which will lead to 52,900 deaths. In Alabama, it’s anticipated that 2,630 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer with 920 resulting in death in 2025. On average, one in 23 men and one in 25 women will develop colon cancer.
James Buxbaum, MD, professor of medicine and executive director of digestive health institute at the University of Southern California, discussed management of difficult duct stones.
“Gallstones impact 20 million Americans due to high fat and high carbohydrate diets, and 10 to 20 percent of gallbladder stones have bile duct stones. 50 percent of untreated bile duct stones cause symptoms. 25 percent have serious complications including pancreatitis,” Eloubeidi said.
Paul Kwo, MD, professor of medicine at Stanford University, discussed non-invasive methods for liver fibrosis. Kwo listed simple and complex biomarkers that can be used to predict fibrosis.
Mohamed Shoreibah, MD, director of hepatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), spoke on the management of decompensated cirrhosis. Decompensated cirrhosis manifestations are ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and variceal bleeding. Decompensation marks the progression of cirrhosis and is associated with a significant decrease in survival rates.
Meagan Grey, MD, associate professor of medicine at UAB, discussed managing MASLD fibrosis, something one in three adults in the U.S. have. She stated that managing liver fibrosis includes lifestyle modifications like weight loss and cardiovascular disease prevention. The Mediterranean diet continues to be recommended.
Amanda Cartee, MD, professor of medicine at UAB, talked about villous atrophy, celiac disease and mimics.
Shajan Peter, MD, professor of medicine at UAB, discussed the evaluation of obscure GI bleeding.
“The talk focused on the definition of obscure small bowel gastrointestinal bleeding and causes of small bowel bleeding,” Eloubeidi said. “We discussed the rationale for testing and management of these disorders, identified common findings on capsule endoscopy and devised an endoscopic and medical management strategy for treatment.”
Kristin Vaughn, a consultant for Ask Mueller Consulting, discussed top coding and billing issues impacting GI practices in 2025.
Lastly, Jamie Cannon, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Arkansas, discussed surgical management of IBD. For a comprehensive study on each of these topics, visit ALAGASTRO.org and find a complete printout of the lectures listed above.
