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Cruise Conference Planning For Your Association

Gastroenterology and Hepatology for Primary Care

7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise
Round-trip Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
January 26 - February 02, 2020
<em>Celebrity Edge</em>
Celebrity Edge
14.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
14 ACPE Credits
14 (part II) MOC points in medical knowledge in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
14.0 Contact Hours
Course Fees

Target Audience
Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists
Program Purpose / Objectives
The purpose of this activity is to give participants an update in the diagnostic and therapeutic developments in the field of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
At the completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
  1. Evaluation of Abnormal Liver Tests
    • Differentiate between tests of liver function and liver injury
    • Use a diagnostic algorithm in the work-up of abnormal liver tests
  2. Hepatitis C management
    • Understand screening guidelines for HCV
    • Understand the natural history of disease progression
    • Use treatment guidelines for chronic hepatitis C patients
  3. Diagnosis and treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B
    • Describe HBV serology for diagnosis and management
    • Recognize at risk populations for vaccination
    • Apply practice guidelines for management and treatment of hepatitis B infection
  4. Alcoholic liver disease
    • Recognize alcohol use disorder
    • Determine prognosis in alcoholic hepatitis
    • Understand management options for alcoholic hepatitis
  5. Diagnosis and management of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
    • Understand the natural history of NAFLD
    • Use basic diagnostic approaches for identify patients at risk with risk for advanced disease
    • Employ current approaches to management of NAFLDs
  6. Management Considerations in End-Stage Liver Disease
    • Recognize common complications associated with cirrhosis
    • Understand management options in patients with end-stage liver disease
    • Use effective screening and surveillance methods to detect complications of cirrhosis
  7. Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI)
    • Recognize different types of liver injury
    • Describe common drugs and herbals implicated in liver injury
    • Understand management approaches to patients with drug-induced liver injury
  8. Screening for Colon and rectal cancer
    • Improve the outcome and cost effectiveness of screening for Colon Cancer with new guidelines and new screening tests
  9. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
    • To improve cost effectiveness of management of IBS
    • To Explain current management of IBS, Constipation and Chronic abdominal pain and how they differ. and the place of new medications
  10. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    • To share on going changes in treatment of Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis.
  11. Inflammatory Esophageal Diseases
    • The understanding of new etiologies of Chest pain, heartburn and dysphagia
    • The place of the relationship of Barrett’s Esophagus to Chronic reflux Esophageal cancer in perspective
  12. Peptic Ulcer disease
    • To explain new recommendations in the prevention and treatment of Peptic Ulcer disease and its complications
  13. Common Medical Problems in patients with Chronic Gastrointestinal diseases
    • To enhance the ability of the primary care doctor to provide appropriate preventive care in patients with chronic Gastrointestinal disease
  14. Chronic and recurring diarrhea
    • Illustrate the place of the primary care physicians in the diagnosis and management of chronic diarrhea
Conference Sessions generally take place on days at sea (as itinerary allows), giving you plenty of time to enjoy your meals, evenings and ports of call with your companion, family and friends.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All conferees, their families, and guests must book their cruise within the University at Sea® meeting group through University at Sea® at 800-926-3775 or by registering online. This ensures our company can provide conference services and complimentary social amenities to all meeting participants and their guests. Thank you for your cooperation.
Faculty

Keyur Patel, MD, PhD

Keyur Patel, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Toronto, Division of Gastroenterology
UHN Toronto, ON, Canada Dr. Patel received his Medical degree from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom and completed his clinical fellowships in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology/Hepatology in Western Australia. He received his PhD from University of Sydney.

He completed a 3-year post-doctoral research fellowship in Clinical and Translational Research in viral hepatitis at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, San Diego, CA and Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham NC. He was on faculty at Duke University 2004-2015, and is now at University of Toronto since 2016. His research interests include early phase clinical therapeutic trials for viral hepatitis and NASH fibrosis, and the development non-invasive biomarkers of fibrogenesis.

Martin H. Poleski, MD,CM, FACP, AGAF

Martin H. Poleski, MD,CM, FACP, AGAF
Professor of Medicine, Duke University
Duke Regional Hospital, Durham, North Carolina Dr. Poleski is currently Professor of Medicine at Duke University in the Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University. He was Chief of Gastroenterology at Duke Regional Hospital (DRH) and Director of the Endoscopy from 2008 to 2016. 

Dr. Poleski created the modern DRH Gastroenterology Department, starting with one Gastroenterologist in 2008, and now includes 8 Gastroenterologist. He is currently a full time Professor of Medicine at Duke University with a full time practice at Duke University clinics and endoscopy centers.

Dr. Poleski graduated McGill University, Montreal, in 1973 with an MD. He did his Internal medicine training at The University of Toronto and McGill University. In academic year 1975-76 he was Chief Medical Resident at The Jewish General Hospital of McGill University. He did a fellowship in Gastroenterology at Memorial Sloan Kettering , part of the Cornell Hospitals in New York City.

After completing his fellowship he returned to the Jewish General hospital as a consultant in Gastroenterology, developed the first Inflammatory Bowel Disease center at that hospital and at McGill University. He eventually rose in the ranks to become an Assistant Professor of Medicine at McGill University.

He joined the Scripps Clinic Medical Group in La Jolla , California at the end of 1992 as a consultant in Gastroenterology. He subsequently became Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center and Director of the Fellowship program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Scripps clinic. 

He also had an appointment at UCSD as Clinical Professor of Medicine. In the summer of 2003 he joined the faculty of Duke University as Professor of Medicine and senior consultant in Gastroenterology. He has continued his interest in inflammatory Bowel disease (IBD), involved in clinical studies and having a clinic at Duke University Medical Center dedicated to IBD.

Our staff can assist you with all your travel arrangements.

Questions? Call us at 800-422-0711.
We can assist you with all your travel arrangements. We'd be happy to help you plan your flights, hotels or tours before and/or after your cruise conference.

Cruise Itinerary

DATE PORT OF CALL ARRIVE DEPART
Sun Jan 26 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
- 3:30 pm
Mon Jan 27 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Tue Jan 28 San Juan, Puerto Rico
3:30 pm 11:00 pm
Wed Jan 29 Tortola, British Virgin Islands
8:00 am 6:00 pm
Thu Jan 30 Philipsburg, St. Maarten
7:00 am 5:00 pm
Fri Jan 31 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Sat Feb 01 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Sun Feb 02 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
7:00 am -
*Tentative course schedule, actual class times may differ.
Celebrity Edge Map

Ports of Call

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - There is an abundance of things to see and do in the Ft. Lauderdale area: visit the newly redesigned Ft. Lauderdale Beach and cafes, stroll the historic Riverwalk, shop the luxurious stores on Las Olas Boulevard or adventure to the Everglades for an intriguing air boat excursion.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

San Juan, Puerto Rico - The vibrant capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan offers something for every traveler — world-famous beaches with crystal clear waters, incredible cuisine, rugged natural beauty and a rich history that goes back 500 years. With its ancient fortresses and colorful colonial-era buildings, San Juan makes it easy to feel as though you’ve slipped into the past. Life moves at a slower pace along the sunny cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, and salsa beats seem to waft perpetually from open windows. If you’re craving a hike, head to El Yunque National Forest. And if you’re more in the mood to unwind, set your sights on the beautiful shores of Isla Verde or El Condado. Mealtime is also an adventure, with so many delicious options to try — from mofongo and pastelon to chillo frito and alcapurrias. Pair every bite with a piña colada — Puerto Rico’s national drink.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands -  Besides being one of the most scenic islands in the Caribbean, Tortola also has a fascinating cultural and historical side. For a glimpse into the island’s colonial past, visit the Virgin Islands Folk Museum. The restored house was once the family home of shipwright, Joseph Wilfred Penn and features a deep collection of Arawak and Carib pottery and stone tools, as well as plantation artifacts. Hike along the seven available walking trails in Sage Mountain National Park for stunning panoramic views of the island and the surrounding natural habitat. Snorkeling in the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea and a rum tasting at Callwood Rum Distillery are essential on a cruise to Tortola. Sample the delicious curries, spicy soups, and sumptuous shellfish dishes available in abundance at local restaurants and many snack shacks around the island.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten - The capital of the Dutch side of St. Maarten is the town of Philipsburg, though St. Maarten is an island with two distinct sides. To the north is the French side, whose capital is Marigot, while Philipsburg sits on the southern part of the island. When exploring on cruises that go to St. Maarten, it’s important to visit both sides to understand their customs and heritage.

You’ll quickly be charmed by all sides of the island. Of course, this Caribbean island is best known for its beaches, like Maho Beach or Great Bay Beach, one of the area’s best snorkeling spots. Sample local seafood or rum during your time in port, which have become symbols of St. Maarten life. There’s just enough to fill the day here, especially if you hop between the French and Dutch beaches.

Our staff can assist you with all your travel arrangements.

Questions? Call us at 800-422-0711.
We can assist you with all your travel arrangements. We'd be happy to help you plan your flights, hotels or tours before and/or after your cruise conference.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
Please note that our shore excursions are operated separately and
independently of those offered by the cruise line.
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