Liver Health Symposium
LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital, Dr. Michel E. Mawad Block D, auditorium, 5th floor
This symposium is organized by the Division of Gastroenterology at the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine.
The program will focus on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), addressing its growing impact, risk factors, diagnosis, lifestyle interventions, and emerging therapies, while highlighting the links between liver, cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic health.
Bringing together healthcare professionals across disciplines, the symposium aims to promote awareness, early recognition, and comprehensive patient-centered care.
The event will also launch the Liver Health Movement, a community-based initiative across Lebanon promoting liver and metabolic health awareness and empowering individuals to take charge of their health.
PROGRAM:
| Session 1 |
Introduction to Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) Moderators: Najiha El Dhaibi, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine Michele Cherfane, PhD, Associate Professor, Epidemiology and Population Health Discipline Coordinator, Year-Long Project Coordinator LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine |
| 2:05 –2:15 PM |
Lecture 1: What is MASLD: Introducing the New Nomenclature and Global Epidemiology Presented by: Rana Attieh, MD, Fellow, Division of Gastroenterology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine |
| 2:15 –2:25 PM |
Lecture 2: Is our society well informed? Local Awareness Data Presented by: Maryam Naboulsi, MD, Fellow, Division of Gastroenterology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine |
| 2:25-2:35 | Q&A |
| Session 2: |
Risk Stratification Moderators: Antoine Ferzli, MD, AGAF, Division of Gastroenterology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine Rajaa Chatila, MD, Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education, Clinical Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine |
| 2:35–2:50 |
Lecture 1: Who is at risk? Including Clinical and Lab Testing Presented by: Majd El Rustom, MD, Interim Program Director of Gastroenterology Fellowship Division ofGastroenterology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine |
| 2:50–3:05 |
Lecture 2: How to Screen: Imaging Presented by: Daniel Mahfoud, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Acting Chair of Medical Imaging, Chief of Ultrasound Section, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine |
| 3:05-3:15 | Q&A |
| Session 3: |
Liver Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (LCKM) Approach Moderators: Mahmoud Hallal, MD, Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology, Lebanese University, Gastroenterologist and Advanced Interventional Endoscopist, representing the Riad Azar, MD, Clinical Professor, Division Head of Gastroenterology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine Hala Kilani, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Division Head & Fellowship Program Director, Division of Nephrology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine |
| 3:15-3:30 |
Lecture 1: Why does it matter? Natural history and complications Presented by: Rajaa Chatila, MD, Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education, Clinical Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine |
| 3:30-3:45 |
Lecture 2: Heart Liver Connection Presented by: Elias Hanna, MD, Clinical Professor and Interventional Cardiology, Division of Cardiology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine |
| 3:45–4:00 |
Lecture 3: Kidney Liver Connection Presented by: Sola Aoun Bahous, MD, PhD, MHPE, Dean Professor, Division of Nephrology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine |
| 4:00–4:15 |
Lecture 4: Metabolic Liver Connection Presented by: Rita Nemr, MD, Clinical Professor, Division Head of Endocrinology, LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine |
| 4:15-4:25 | Q&A |
| 4:25-4:50 | Break |
| Session 4: |
Take Charge of your Health Moderators: Hussein Hassan, PhD, Professor of Food Science and Technology, Director of Academic Compliance (Office of the Provost), Academic Director of MEPI-TLG Program (International Services and Programs Office), LAU School of Arts and Sciences Joe Moujaes, Lead Director of Athletics, LAU Athletics |
|
4:50–5:00
|
Lecture 1: Roles of Nutrition Presented by: Mia Abou Diwan, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, LAU School of Arts and Sciences |
| 5:00-5:10 |
Lecture 2: Role of Physical Fitness Expert Presented by: Ibrahim Elias, Physical Therapy, LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital |
| 5:10-5:20 | Q&A |
| 5:20-5:35 |
Restoring Healthy Liver Pathway Panel Discussion and Practical Session |
| 5:35-5:50 | Let’s Move it! |
| 5:50-6:00 |
Launching the Liver Health Movement Save the Best for Last |
CME ACCREDITATION:
This educational activity has been approved by the Lebanese Order of Physicians for 4 CME credits.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
This symposium is intended for physicians and other healthcare professionals involved in the prevention, recognition, assessment, and management of MASLD and related metabolic conditions, including primary care physicians, internists, gastroenterologists, hepatologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, and members of multidisciplinary care teams.