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APP GI Immersion: the Latest Gastroenterology Insights to Enhance Patient Care

Our conference is dedicated to advancing medical education and building knowledge for all healthcare professionals working in gastroenterology.

Each year, we provide a platform for in-depth discussions and state-of-the-art reviews on the latest developments, research, and concepts in gastrointestinal disorders and liver disease. We bring together academics, practitioners, pharmaceutical and medical device companies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Our goal is that by the end of the program, every participant understands:

Enhanced experience with evidence-based medicine.
How to critically evaluate and assimilate information on advances that impact gastroenterology.
How to plan to utilize this evidence to enhance practice and patient care.

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Have a Look at This Year’s Speakers & Agenda

Dates: August 1, 2026 | Location: Estancia del Norte, San Antonio, TX

Book Your Stay at the Hilton - $129/Night

Christian Horn, MD

Director, Hepatology Service
Madigan Army Med Center
Andrew Mertz, MD

Advanced Endoscopy
Brooke Army Medical Center
Craig Owen, MD

Staff Gastroenterologist
Brooke Army Medical Center
David Dulaney, MD

Program Director
Brooke Army Medical Center
HoChong Gilles, DNP, FNP-C, AF-AASLD

Clinical Program Manager, Hepatology
Central VAHCS
Stacey Collins, MA, RDN/LDN, CSDH

IBD Dietician
Colorado Hospital Crohn’s & Colitis Center
Kevin Pak, MD

Director, Hepatology Service
Brooke Army Medical Center
Vaneesha Vallabh, DO

Chief, Department of OB/Gyn
Staff, Urogynecologist
Brooke Army Medical Center
Cassandra Craig, MD

Director, GI Services
Wilford Hall Ambulatoru Surgical Center
Smita Mehta, PFT

Staff, Pelvic Floor Therapist
Brooke Army Medical Center
Anish Patel, DO

Director, IBD Center
Brooke Army Medical Center
Jake Sekula, FNP-C

Advanced GI Nurse Practitioner
University Medical Associates

Timetable

SAturday, August 1

.	.	.
Pre-Session	7:00 - 8:00am	Breakfast
	8:00 - 8:15am	Welcome & Introduction	Anish Patel, DO
Session 1: Upper GI	8:15 - 8:35am	Upper GI Anatomy 101	Andrew Mertz, MD
	8:35 - 8:55am	Conquer EoE: Diet, Drugs, & Done (For Now!)	David Dulaney, MD
	8:55 - 9:15am	Refractory GERD	Craig Owen, MD
	9:15 - 9:35am	Brain-Gut Blues	TBD
	9:35 - 10:00am	Q&A/Panel Discussion/Case Studies
	10:00 - 10:30am	Morning Break
Session 2: Lower GI	10:30 - 10:50am	Lower GI Anatomy 102	Andrew Mertz, MD
	10:50 - 11:10am	No Blood: Anemia Evaluation	Cassandra Craig, MD
	11:10 - 11:30am	When Patient Is Sick Sick: Hospitalized IBD	Anish Patel, DO
	11:30 - 11:50am	Nutrients, Supplements, Diets: What Works	Stacey Collins, RDN
	11:50 - 12:30pm	Q&A/Panel Discussion/Case Studies
	12:30 - 1:30pm	Lunch: product theatre sponsored by Regeneron
Session 3: Hepatobiliary	1:30 - 1:50pm	Gut Instincts: Clinical Strategies for GLP-1 Mgmt	Christian Horn, MD
	1:50 - 2:10pm	Liver Enzymes in the Red: Your Next Steps	Kevin Pak, MD
	2:10 - 2:30pm	NITs and MASH	HoChong Gilles, DNP
	2:30 - 2:50pm	What is that in the Pancreas?	Jake Sekula, FNP-C
	2:50 - 3:00pm	Q&A/Panel Discussion/Case Studies
	3:00 - 3:30pm	Afternoon Break
Session 4: Potpourri	3:30 - 3:50pm	Pelvis is Your Friend	Smita Mehta, PFT
	3:50 - 4:10pm	Menopause and GI	Vaneesha Vallabh, DO
	4:10 - 4:30pm	Beat the Burnout	TBD
	4:30 - 5:00pm	Q&A/Panel Discussion/Case Studies
	5:00 - 5:15pm	Closing Remarks	Anish Patel, DO
	5:30 - 7:30pm	Reception

*The University of Texas at San Antonio, Anish Patel, DO, and Richa Shukla, MD, course directors and content reviewers for the activity, have reviewed all financial disclosure information for all speakers, facilitators, and planning committee members, and determined and resolved all conflicts of interest.

*This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint-providership of the University of Texas at San Antonio and FOCU GI, Inc.

*The University of Texas at San Antonio is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

*This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.

Meet the Team Behind Focus GI

Our Speakers Are Given an Average of 4.94 Out of 5

“It was wonderful. I would like to say that I appreciated the respect the presenters had for our time.”
“This event was very well planned and I enjoyed it. I also appreciated how the content was directed at APPs and at our level.”
“Appreciate all the lectures!”
“Excellent course.”
“Dr Patel was very lively and informative with his lectures.”
“Loved it.”