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Cruise Conference Planning For Your Association

Topics in Gastroenterology and Hepatology: 2023 Update

10-Night Best of Spain & Portugal Cruise
from Lisbon, Portugal to Barcelona, Spain April 26 - May 06, 2023
<em>Celebrity Infinity</em>
Celebrity Infinity
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
2.0 Hours of Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners
14.0 Contact Hours
Course Fees
$995 for Physicians, Attorneys, Psychologists, Doctors of Pharmacy, & Dentists
$750 for Physician Assistants
$595 for Nurses, Residents, Students & Others

Target Audience
Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists
Program Purpose / Objectives

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. Diagnosis and Management 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
  3. Hepatitis C screening and management
    • Understand screening recommendations for HCV
    • Use optimal treatment regimens for chronic hepatitis C patients
  4. Diagnosis and management of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
    • Recognize NAFLD as an important metabolic disease
    • Understand the natural history of NAFLD
    • Use basic diagnostic approaches for identify patients at risk with risk for advanced disease
    • Employ current approaches for management of NAFLD
  5. Management considerations in end-stage liver disease
    • Describe 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
  6. Drug-induced liver Injury
    • Differentiate types of liver injury
    • Describe common drugs and herbals implicated in liver injury
    • Understand management approaches to patients with drug-induced liver injury
  7. Alcohol-related liver disease
    • Recognize alcohol use disorder
    • Determine prognosis in alcoholic hepatitis
    • Understand management options for alcoholic hepatitis
  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
Wed Apr 26 Lisbon, Portugal
- 5:00 pm
Thu Apr 27 Porto Leixoes, Portugal
8:00 am -
Fri Apr 28 Porto Leixoes, Portugal
- 6:00 pm
Sat Apr 29 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Sun Apr 30 Cadiz (Seville), Spain
8:00 am 10:00 pm
Mon May 01 Gibraltar
8:00 am 6:00 pm
Tue May 02 Malaga, Spain
8:00 am 10:00 pm
Wed May 03 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Thu May 04 Valencia, Spain
8:00 am 7:00 pm
Fri May 05 Palma De Mallorca, Spain
7:00 am 6:00 pm
Sat May 06 Barcelona, Spain
6:00 am -
*Tentative course schedule, actual class times may differ.

Ports of Call

Lisbon, Portugal - Make your own discoveries in the city that launched the Age of Discovery. Cross the River Tagus on its soaring suspension bridge. Wander the maze of streets in the Alfama, the old Moorish quarter, dominated by the medieval Castle of St. George where peacocks strut and shriek. Stroll the Baixa, shop for elegant shoes.

Porto Leixoes, Portugal - Visit this city once and you are sure to want to come back for more. Located in northern Portugal, the city spreads across the base of a forested valley with crimson peaks on its sides. While it is famous for its Port wine, Porto is also home to many attractions including the Réserve Naturelle de Scandola, the marine reservation protected by UNESCO with amazing Calanques.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Cadiz (Seville), Spain - Experience Spain’s vibrant culture on a Seville cruise, departing from the historic port of Cadiz. Drenched in Andalucian sunlight and scented with orange blossoms, the city sprawls along the Guadalquivir River. It boasts a rich Moorish legacy with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, featuring gracefully adorned towers and palaces showcasing intricate Mudejar design.

Gibraltar - As long as the Barbary Apes remain, the British will rule Gibraltar‐this is the tradition that has held for 350 years. These pesky primates are a favorite with visitors despite their incessant chatter and light-fingered ways. Ride to the top of the Rock for great views over the Strait of Gibraltar‐on a clear day you'll see Africa.

Malaga, Spain - Málaga is the gateway to the Andalusian countryside and the Costa del Sol, some of the region’s most impressive beaches. It also is home to a number of magnificent palaces, including the Moorish Alcabaza and Gibralfaro.

Valencia, Spain - Incredibly, Valencia is a hidden gem of a big city in Spain. Although, it doesn't get the same attention that Barcelona and Madrid get, it competes quite well with those two well known destinations. Food, Shopping, Art and Architecture can be found in abundance; take some time and wander through the winding maze of medieval streets and stubble on your newest favorite shop/bar/restaurant. Too bad cruises don't depart from here; you could certainly spend a few days visiting Valencia's must-sees. One highlight is the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències) designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. This beautiful complex consists of a cinema, garden, theater, planetarium, science museum and more!

Palma De Mallorca, Spain - The Spanish island of Mallorca offers towering mountains and dramatic cliffs rising over clear, blue water — but its hidden gem is Palma de Mallorca, the island's capital and largest city, where you'll find quaint historic streets, Gothic castles and gastronomic delights. Cruise to Palma de Mallorca and check out one-of-a-kind Palma Cathedral: The 14th-century Gothic spires of exterior contrast the modernist interior designed by in the early 1900s by Gaudi. See the circular courtyard and Arab-inspired arches of Castell de Bellver, and take in the fresh scent of the miles of pine forest that surround it. Or rent bikes and pedal east to Palma Beach, where you can soak in the sun on the white sands and clear waves.

Barcelona, Spain -

Barcelona is a one of the world's great cities. Stroll down her tree-lined boulevards, the magnificent Passeig de Gràcia or the more touristed Las Ramblas. On the Passeig, shop a serious fashion district while marveling at examples of Mordenisme architecture, seemingly sculpted from the stuff of dreams (Gaudi's masterpiece of a family home, Casa Batlló is well worth a visit). If a trip on the Passeig hasn't convinced you of Gaudi's genius, a visit to La Sagrada Familia Cathedral will do the trick; this fantastic, soaring marvel will live on in your memory long after you've returned.

Not far from the Passeig and just north of Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter (the Barri Gotic) provides an abundance of shopping opportunities for all tastes, and a bit of European history to boot - check out the tranquil Cathedral of Barcelona. To see a bit of local life a visit to a food market is a quick, fun detour: try Santa Caterina near the Cathedral or Mercado de La Boqueria, right off of Las Ramblas.

Barcelona's food is also a highlight: stop into a tapas bar and try a variety of delicacies. "Standard" restaurants of every style are available, too. And, there's music, too! Visit an underground jazz club or the magnificent Palau de la Música Catalana; or stop by the Palau Dalmases for a stunning, flamenco performance (it's near the Picasso museum). Did we mention art? One of the largest collections of Picasso's art is found at the Museau Picasso, and a great collection of contemporary, figurative (i.e not abstract) painting and sculpture is housed at the European Museum of Modern Art just around the corner.

It's probably clear by now that you really can't get it all done in a day (even if all means "just the must-sees"). So, stay for a day or three in the Gothic Quarter or near Plaça de Catalunya and really get a feel for what makes Barcelona such a wonderful place. Partly it's the result of the "accidents" of its history and present: as the regional capital of Spain's prosperous Catalunya region, Barcelona has a "flavor" that is a bit of a mix between Spanish and French (it's located quite close to the French border). Yes, you can practice your Spanish here - it attracts Spaniards from throughout the country - but you'll also see and hear Catalan with it's own charm. You won't regret your time here.

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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