ASGE Announces Exciting Changes and New Courses for 2013

ASGE's New Institute for Training and Technology Opens in August 2013

OAK BROOK, Ill., Dec. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The new year will see exciting changes and new course offerings from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). Among the most anticipated changes coming in 2013 is the opening of ASGE's new $20 million, 42,000 square foot, state-of-the-art training center and world headquarters. The new ASGE Institute for Training and Technology (IT&T) will use cutting-edge technologies to foster the development, training and adoption of new techniques in order to improve physician performance and advance patient care. The IT&T will open in August 2013 in Downers Grove, Ill.

In addition to the new training facility, ASGE is introducing new courses for 2013.

AGA/ASGE Clinical Congress of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, will be held Jan. 17–19 at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, Calif. AGA and ASGE have partnered on a new Clinical Congress of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Best Clinical Practices: 2013." Led by Congress Director David A. Lieberman, MD, AGAF, FASGE, and Co-Directors Gary W. Falk, MD, MS, FASGE and John A. Martin, MD, FASGE, this program is designed to reflect both organizations' long-standing expertise within the GI community.

New to this year's Congress are two ASGE hands-on sessions:  "Upper GI endoscopy: Esophagus and gastric therapies," and "Lower GI endoscopy: Colonic and intestinal therapies." Practitioners will guide attendees through managing both technical as well as cognitive challenges faced during endoscopic practice. The hands-on sessions will be held on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 17, followed by the main Congress on Jan. 18 and 19.  For more information or to register, visit http://www.gilearn.org/clinicalcongress.

Endoscopic Resection Techniques: Practice of EMR & ESD — Increasing Safety & Confidence, will be offered March 1–2, at the ASGE Institute for Training and Technology (IT&T), Oak Brook, Ill. With endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) being two of the biggest advances in endoscopic therapy during the past 10 years, course directors Michael B. Wallace, MD, MPH, FASGE and Vanessa M. Shami, MD, FASGE, have put together this course to show how to approach these techniques safely and with confidence.

Small Bowel Summit with Capsule Endoscopy will be held March 15–16 at ASGE's hands-on training center in Oak Brook, Ill. Course directors Gary R. Lichtenstein, MD and Elizabeth Rajan, MD, FASGE, have designed a two-day summit to address all clinical aspects of small bowel disease management as it pertains to endoscopy. Participants interested in furthering their capsule endoscopy skills may choose to sign up for the Capsule Endoscopy Users course on the Friday prior the summit. Intensive case discussions will help participants further their skills in the diagnosis and management of obscure GI bleeding, Crohn's disease and other clinically relevant disorders of the small bowel, with the use of capsule endoscopy.

GI Endoscopy for the Established Clinician — The Boutique Training Experience will be offered April 12–13 at ASGE's hands-on training center in Oak Brook, Ill. Course directors ASGE Past President Gregory G. Ginsberg, MD, FASGE and Thomas J. Savides, MD, FASGE, have developed this course to provide critical updates for seasoned, master endoscopists.  

Popular programs return in 2013

Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit will be offered Feb. 8 at the San Francisco Marriott Union Square. Designed for physician and non-physician staff, this popular course includes topics such as defining and measuring quality in endoscopy, recommendations for improving the quality in endoscopy units and a review of ASGE and Centers for Disease Control quality- and reprocessing-related guidelines.

Multimodality Approach to Colorectal Polyps and Cancers will be held Feb. 9–10 at the San Francisco Marriott Union Square. Course directors Gottumukkala S. Raju, MD, FASGE, John J. Vargo II, MD, MPH, FASGE and Steven A. Edmundowicz, MD, FASGE, have developed this course to present a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of colorectal polyps and cancers. Hear first-hand and close-up from Douglas K. Rex, MD, FASGE along with Perry Pickhardt, MD, and several other distinguished faculty, as they deliberate some of the most problematic issues surrounding colorectal neoplasia and illustrate clinical challenges through the use of video-based case discussions. This course is especially designed for practicing gastroenterologists, oncologists, surgeons and other health care personnel who are involved in taking care of patients with colorectal neoplasias.

Digestive Disease Week^® will be held May 18–21 in Orlando, Fla., and will continue to offer diverse opportunities for learning, including video forums, hands-on courses and ASGE's premiere Annual Postgraduate Course, An International and Multidisciplinary Approach to Gastrointestinal Diseases in 2013: Patient Care at Its Best, led by course directors Todd H. Baron, MD, FASGE and Vanessa M. Shami, MD, FASGE. Register for DDW activities prior to April 10 to receive the early-bird discount.

GI Outlook 2013: The Practice Management Conference will be held August 9–11 at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park in Chicago, Ill. For the first time, ASGE and the AGA Institute will be co-sponsoring this unique course designed for GI physicians and practice administrators looking for practical advice and how-tos for managing solo and small- or large-group GI practices.

EndoFest^®, ASGE's signature event will be held September 20–22 at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nev. EndoFest offers a full weekend of hands-on and case-based training in "everything endoscopy" and a high level of interaction with world-class faculty in a small-group format. Don't miss the course that offers the most personalized, diverse training in one weekend that GI endoscopists can find.

To learn more about the new IT&T and for ASGE's complete course offerings and the latest information on registration, visit www.asge.org.

About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Since its founding in 1941, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has been dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence and innovation in gastrointestinal endoscopy.  ASGE, with more than 12,000 members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, recognizes distinguished contributions to endoscopy, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education.  Visit www.asge.org and www.screen4coloncancer.org for more information and to find a qualified doctor in your area.

About Endoscopy
Endoscopy is performed by specially-trained physicians called endoscopists using the most current technology to diagnose and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Using flexible, thin tubes called endoscopes, endoscopists are able to access the human digestive tract without incisions via natural orifices. Endoscopes are designed with high-intensity lighting and fitted with precision devices that allow viewing and treatment of the gastrointestinal system.

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SOURCE American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy