MEETING JANUARY 16-21, 2025

This is the 40th year of the course, “Medical and Surgical Aspects of Esophageal and Foregut Disorders: Pathophysiology and Treatment”. We are pleased to announce that the venue for the 2025 course will be The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay.

MEETING FEBRUARY 1-6, 2024

Course directors: Steve DeMeester and Phil Katz, with support from Stu Spechler

Guest surgeons: Ross Bremner, Stephen Attwood, and Daniela Molena

Guest GI: Nicholas J. Shaheen and C. Prakash Gyawali

Guest pathology: Celia Marginean and Robert Odze

Course directors: Steve DeMeester and Phil Katz, with support from Stu Spechler

Guest surgeons: Jesper Lagergren and Brian Louie

Guest GI: Roos Pouw, Rhonda Souza, Sachin Wani

Guest GI oncology: Yelena Janjigian and Gina Vaccaro

Quotes from attendees:

“Excellent course, highly recommend to Surgeons and GI”

“AMAZING every year I have attended, grateful for the opportunity!”

Course directors: Steve DeMeester and Phil Katz, with support from Stu Spechler

Guest surgeons: John Hunter, Nat Soper, and Lee Swanstrom

Guest GI: Kenneth Chang and Michael Vaezi

Quotes from attendees:

“This conference was intellectually stimulating, full of relevant information for the practicing gastroenterologist, and completely free of commercial bias. I will change my practice as a consequence of attending this activity.”

“Outstanding, and I can't wait to come back!”

“Small size, amazing expertise, friendly atmosphere, intellectual openness and hunger.”

Course directors: Steve DeMeester and Phil Katz, with support from Stu Spechler

Guest surgeons: Shahin Ayazi and Sumeet Mittal

Guest GI: C. John Clarke and Sachin Wani

Quotes from attendees:

“Excellent job bringing the virtual and live talks together.”

“First time at the conference. Great information and great scientific reasoning backing up the presentations!”

“Fantastic course this year. Provided up-to-date clinical evidence and great discussion of controversial areas to provide data for clinical practice.”

Course directors: Steve DeMeester and Phil Katz

Guest surgeons: Ralph Aye, Reginald Bell, David Watson

Guest GI: C. Prakash Gyawali, John M. Inadomi, Stavros N. Stavropoulos

Quotes from attendees:

“Up to date and novel topics not presented elsewhere.”

“Highly interactive sessions with a great deal of time dedicated to Q&A.”

“High-level evidence and constructive clinical discussion. Multidisciplinary approach to disease management was excellent.”

Course directors: Steve DeMeester and Phil Katz

Guest surgeon: Jesper Lagergren

Guest GI: Christopher Thompson

Quotes from attendees:

“I appreciate the review of how the pathology of reflux needs to be approached from a medical and surgical perspective.”

“I'm asked to comment on these topics with a surprising frequency. I am confident I can now respond with up-to-date knowledge.”

“I am always rejuvenated by this meeting.”

Course directors: Steve DeMeester and Phil Katz

Guest surgeon: John Reynolds

Guest GI: Joachim Labenz

Quotes from attendees:

“I love the course and learn something new every year.“

“The representation from different companies is very useful; many are able to enhance learning experience from discussion of recent trial results.”

Steve DeMeester and Phil Katz

Guest surgeon: Lars Lundell

Guest GI: Hashem El-Serag

Quotes from attendees:

“Excellent conference. The debates were engaging and fruitful for all.”

“Continues to be an excellent conference. I always come away with at least one small practice change that can make a large difference in my busy practice.”

Course directors: Steve DeMeester and Phil Katz

Guest surgeon: Dan Smith

Guest GI: Stuart Spechler & Ken Chang