Chief, Hepatology Section
Herman Lopata Chair in Hepatitis Research
University of Connecticut Health Center
Farmington, CT
Fellow:
American Gastroenterological Association (FAGA)
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (FAASLD)
Dr. George Y. Wu is a Professor of Medicine, Chief of the Hepatology Section, and holds the Herman Lopata Chair in Hepatitis Research at the University of Connecticut Health Center.
He has been a pioneer of targeted delivery of biological substances including genes, and mitochondria specifically to hepatocytes. He has received an American Gastroenterological Association/Industry Research Scholar Award, American Liver Foundation Research Prize, AGA-Gastroenterology Research Group Young Scientist Award, was elected a Fellow of the AGA, and the American Association for the Study of liver Diseases.
He was elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation, Association of American Physicians, the National Academy of Inventors, and was a Fulbright Specialist. He has published more than 160 articles, edited 13 books and is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology, and senior associate editor of the Journal of Digestive Diseases.
The Ferentz Institute
(Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Training and Education, Inc.)
Baltimore, MD
Lisa is a recognized expert in the strengths-based, de-pathologized treatment of trauma and has been in private practice for over 39 years. She presents workshops and keynote addresses nationally and internationally, and is a clinical consultant to practitioners and mental health agencies in the United States, Canada, the UK and Ireland. She has been an Adjunct Faculty member at several Universities, and is the Founder of "The Ferentz Institute," now in its sixteenth year of providing continuing education to mental health professionals and graduating several thousand clinicians from her two Certificate Programs in Advanced Trauma Treatment. In 2009 she was voted the "Social Worker of Year" by the Maryland Society for Clinical Social Work. Lisa is the author of "Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Traumatized Clients: A Clinician's Guide," now in its second edition, "Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors: A Workbook of Hope and Healing," and "Finding Your Ruby Slippers: Transformative Life Lessons From the Therapist's Couch." Lisa also hosted a weekly radio talk show, writes blogs and articles for websites on trauma, attachment, self-destructive behaviors, and self-care, teaches on many webinars, and is a contributor to Psychologytoday.com. You can follow Lisa's work on her website, theferentzinstitute.com, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC)
Lead Physician, GBMC Health Partners Primary Care offices at Owings Mills
Clinical Associate Professor
University of Maryland Department of Family Medicine
College Hill, MD
In 2012 Dr. Ferentz retired as an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine after 25 years on the faculty. During those years he served as the Director of Student and Employee Health, the Director of Clinical Operations for the department, and as Residency Director for 12 years. He went on to serve as the Chief Medical Officer for Baltimore Medical System, Inc. – the largest group of Federally Qualified Health Centers in Maryland, responsible for approximately 60 clinicians serving in six medical centers and eight school based health centers, caring for 45,000 patients and providing 155,000 visits per year. He then worked as the Medical Director of the Randallstown office of Chase Brexton Health Care. He is currently the Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) and the Lead Physician for the GBMC Health Partners Primary Care offices at Owings Mills. Dr. Ferentz is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Maryland and continues to educate medical students on a regular basis.
Dr. Ferentz has authored more than three dozen articles and book chapters concerning issues in Family Medicine. His academic work centered on Smoking Cessation, and the recognition and treatment of Depression in primary care. He received more than two dozen teaching awards, including two national awards: the Exemplary Teaching Award from the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Outstanding Program Director Award from the Association of Family Practice Residency Directors. He was named one of the Best Family Physicians by Baltimore Magazine in 1997, 2000, 2002, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018, and 2020. The Ladies Home Journal named him one of the best Family Physicians in America in 2002. He was named to Best Doctors in America in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2013. He appears in Who's Who in America in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2011. Dr. Ferentz provides continuing medical education lectures for several national CME providers.
Dr. Ferentz is a past-President of the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians and served on several committees and commissions for the American Academy of Family Physicians. He has done hundreds of media spots on TV and for eight years he was the regular host of Sunday Rounds, the largest medical call-in show on public radio, heard nationwide, and around the world on the Armed Forces Radio Network and the Internet.
Our staff can assist you with all your travel arrangements.
| DATE | PORT OF CALL | ARRIVE | DEPART |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Sep 12 | Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy |
- | 8:00 pm |
| Fri Sep 13 | Naples, Italy |
7:00 am | 8:00 pm |
| Sat Sep 14 | *At Sea - Cruising |
- | - |
| Sun Sep 15 | Barcelona, Spain |
5:00 am | 6:00 pm |
| Mon Sep 16 | Palma De Mallorca, Spain |
8:00 am | 6:00 pm |
| Tue Sep 17 | *At Sea - Cruising |
- | - |
| Wed Sep 18 | La Spezia, Italy |
7:00 am | 8:30 pm |
| Thu Sep 19 | Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy |
7:00 am | - |
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.
At Sea - Cruising - Cruising
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.
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.
Our staff can assist you with all your travel arrangements.
Questions? Call us at 800-422-0711.