Rocky Mountain Highlights in Gastroenterology and Hepatology Course

Saturday, August 15, 2026

University of Colorado Anschutz Health Sciences Building

Donald M. Elliman Conference Center

1890 N Revere Ct, Aurora, CO 80045

Course Directors:

Welcome to the 13th Annual Rocky Mountain Highlights in Gastroenterology and Hepatology Course. The Course provides a platform to update the Rocky Mountain community of practicing gastroenterologists, hepatologists, primary care providers, and nursing professionals with the latest updates in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. We are excited to present highly focused and important sessions including Luminal Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Therapeautic Endoscopy, and updated in Colorectal Cancer Prevention. Rocky Mountain Highlights offers free CME/MOC and NCPD nursing contact hours to attendees.

Registration Coming Soon!

Learning Objectives

The 13th Annual Rocky Mountain Highlights in
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Agenda

TBD

Prior Year Agenda: 

The 12th Rocky Mountain Highlights in
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Agenda

6:30-7:45 am                Attendee Registration Check-in and Breakfast

7:45-8:00 am                Welcome and Introductory Comments

   Course Directors: Kelli DeLay, MD, Avash Kalra, MD, and Calen Steiner

Session I – High-Yield Topics in General Gastroenterology
Moderator:  Kelli DeLay, MD

8:00-8:20 am                 Gastroparesis

    Jennifer Christie, MD

8:20-8:40 am                 Engineering the Microbiome: Where Are We with Microbial Therapies?

    Dan Kao, MD

8:40-9:00 am                 Hereditary Colon Cancer

    Sarah Safadi, MD

9:00-9:20 am                 Updates in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

    Larissa Muething, MD

9:20-9:35 am                 Panel Discussion

9:35-9:50 am                 Break

Session II– Multidisciplinary Clinical Vignettes Moderator: Calen Steiner, MD

Part 1: Multidisciplinary Approach to IBD in Women's Health

9:50-10:00 am                Updates in IBD in Pregnancy

     Siobhan Proksell, MD

10:00-10:10 am              Surgical IBD

     Shane McNevin, MD

10:10-10:20 am              Nutrition for IBD

     Brooklin White, MS, RD

10:20-10:35 am              Group Discussions/Questions

Part 2: Multidisciplinary Approach to Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH)

10:35-10:50 am              Approach to MASH from a Hepatology Standpoint 
                                         Amanda Wieland, MD

10:50-11:05 am              Approach to MASH from an Endocrinology Standpoint

     Thomas Jensen, MD

11:05-11:20 am              Group Discussions/Questions

11:20-12:20 pm              Lunch Break

Session III – Debate
Moderator: Avash Kalra, MD

12:20-1:10 pm               Debate: Contrasting Approaches to Managing Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
                                        Kelli DeLay, MD and Daniel S. Fink, MD

Session IV – High-Yield Topic in Hepatology and Therapeutic Endoscopy
Moderator: Avash Kalra, MD

1:10-1:30 pm                  Therapeutic Gastroenterology

      Mohammad Bilal, MD

1:30-1:50pm                   Updates in Management of Pancreatic Cysts

     Sean Bhalla, MD

1:50-2:10 pm                  Growing Indications for Liver Transplantation: When Should I Refer My Patient?
                                          JP Norvell, MD

2:10-2:30 pm                  Updates in Barrett's Esophagus Screening, Surveillance, and Management

     S. Kusuma Pokala, MD

2:30-2:45pm                  Group Discussion/Questions 

2:45-3:00 pm                  Closing Remarks and Adjourn
                                          Course Directors: Kelli DeLay, MD, Avash Kalra, MD, and Calen Steiner, MD

3:00-4:00pm                  Rooftop Reception: Faculty, Attendees, and Industry Representatives

4:00pm                           Adjourn

Prior Course Faculty: