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St. Petersburg, FL 33703

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Cruise Conference Planning For Your Association

Current Topics in Gastroenterology and Geriatrics

7-Night Spain & Italy Cruise
Round-trip Barcelona, Spain
May 26 - June 02, 2024
Royal Caribbean's <em>Oasis of the Seas</em>
Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas
14.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
14 ACPE Credits
14.0 (part II) MOC points in medical knowledge in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
1.0 Hour of Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners
14.0 Contact Hours
Course Fees
$995 for Physicians, Attorneys, Psychologists, Doctors of Pharmacy, & Dentists
$795 for Physician Assistants
$595 for Nurses, Residents, Students & Others

Target Audience
Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists
Program Purpose / Objectives
  1. Bootcamp for Elevated Liver Function Tests
    • Describe treatment strategies for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and non alcoholic steatohepatitis
  2. Clinical Dilemmas in GI Bleeding
    • Identify risk factors that lead to GI bleeding
  3. Colon Cancer Prevention 2024
    • Define best practices that led to colon cancer prevention
  4. Dysphagia/Dyspepsia/GERD/Barrett's and the Primary Care Provider
    • Describe the difference between dyspepsia and GERD
    • Develop a clinical approach when PPIs fail
  5. Probiotics 2024: Fulfilling the Promise & Understanding and Treating C difficile
    • Recognize the proven uses of probiotics
  6. Evaluation and Treatment of Chronic Diarrhea
    • To develop an algorithm that will aid in determining the source of chronic diarrhea
  7. Diverticular Dilemmas
    • Describe treatment strategies for diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding
  8. Assessing Abdominal Pain: A Practical Review
    • Describe atypical locations of GU illnesses
    • Recognize frequently encountered gallbladder and common duct dilemmas
    • Examine controversies in evaluating and treating appendicitis
  9. Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
    • Define Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFL) and Non Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH)
    • Identify at risk individuals for NAFL and NASH
    • Discuss short term and long term consequences of NAFLD
    • Identify treatment options
  10. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Tools for Successful Treatment
    • Recognize the various manifestations of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
    • Examine the usefulness of "Alarm Signs"
    • Select the "appropriate" workup for IBS
    • Choose the best treatments for your patient
  11. Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD): What You Need to Know
    • Distinguish Inflammatory Bowel Disease from Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Distinguish Crohn's disease from Ulcerative Colitis
    • Describe treatment options
    • Partner with your GI for optimal care of IBD patients
  12. Celiac Disease or Something Else?
    • Describe the various clinical manifestations of Celiac disease
    • Define the workup of Celiac disease, especially in a patient already on a gluten free diet
    • Recognize Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
    • Identify how the symptoms of Celiac disease, Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity and Irritable Bowel Syndrome may be identical
  13. Helicobacter Highlights
    • Describe the long term consequences of H pylori
    • identify the PROVEN long term risks of PPI therapy
    • Recognize the optimal time to do an endoscopy for UGI bleeding
    • Identify ways to improve H pylori treatment
  14. Geriatric GI: Tread Carefully
    • Understand the unique approach and special touch that is needed when caring for the elderly with: Peptic Ulcer Disease, Constipation, and Rectal Bleeding
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

Peter Buch, MD, AGAF, FACP

Peter Buch, MD, AGAF, FACP
Associate Clinical Professor
University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Farmington, CT
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (Manchester campus)
Manchester, CT
The Frank H Netter School of Medicine/Quinnipiac University
North Haven, CT Dr. Peter Buch is a clinical gastroenterologist with 37 years of teaching experience. Teaching is his passion and his style is case based, practical, interactive and fun.

He is a graduate of Downstate Medical Center (NY) He completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine and his Fellowship in Gastroenterology at Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medical Center (now a division of Northwell Health).

Dr. Buch is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Frank H Netter school of Medicine/Quinnipiac University.

Dr. Buch has been honored to speak at dozens of national conferences. He looks forward to learning with you!

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 May 26 Barcelona, Spain
- 6:00 pm
Mon May 27 Palma De Mallorca, Spain
8:00 am 6:00 pm
Tue May 28 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Wed May 29 La Spezia, Italy
7:00 am 8:30 pm
Thu May 30 Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
7:00 am 8:00 pm
Fri May 31 Naples, Italy
7:00 am 8:00 pm
Sat Jun 01 *At Sea - Cruising
- -
Sun Jun 02 Barcelona, Spain
5:00 am -
*Tentative course schedule, actual class times may differ.

Ports of Call

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.

Palma De Mallorca, Spain - The Spanish island of Mallorca offers towering mountains and dramatic cliffs rising over clear, blue water — but its jewel 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.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

La Spezia, Italy - La Spezia, Italy is a lovely Ligurian town not far from some of Italy’s most attractive sites, including Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terra and even Genoa. It is an ideal port of call for an overnight stay, depsite not being well-known outside Italy. Historically, La Spezia was a prominent trade center during the Roman Empire. Today it remains not only one of Italy’s busiest port towns, but also home to the country’s largest naval base. As a cruise port, La Spezia is convenient, centrally located and a little underrated. This is the region reputed to make the world's best olive oil; be sure to try a local focaccia to see for yourself.

The Cinque Terre are merely a short train trip from Stazione La Spezia Centrale (no roads), making it easy to explore the port of call and surrounding areas in a day or half-day excursion. Florence, home of the Renaissance, is just two hours away;start your day on the coast of the Ligurian Sea and end the day looking up in awe at the Gothic-style Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Genoa is also well within reach, a little closer than Florence really, and is a quite beautiful city.

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy - Extraordinary architecture, millennia of turbulent history, magnificent basilicas concealing unimaginable riches, and ornate fountains splashing at the heart of sun-drenched piazzas are just some of the many reasons to visit Rome. Art greets you on every corner, from elaborate statues to delicate frescoes. Stroll the ancient center and history comes to life as you explore the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum. Enjoy Italian café culture in Trastevere, where you can wander the narrow streets and soak up a sense of la dolce vita, or throw a coin into the baroque Trevi Fountain to guarantee your return to this vibrant, intoxicating city.

Naples, Italy - Capital of Southern Italy and the largest city in Campania, Naples is the third most populated city in Italy (after Rome and Milan) with over a million inhabitants. It's the most important industrial center and trading port for the South. Naples itself can provide a day's fun and entertainment, if its somewhat rundown appearance doesn't dissuade you. Or, join a tour of incredible Pompeii, frozen in time since A.D. 79 when Mt. Vesuvius brought an end to that then-thriving city. Or, take a quick ferry across the bay to the flowery Isle of Capri. Or, (yes, there's more) visit fabulous Sorrento, vacation spot for the well to do.

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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