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2026 Course - HYATT REGENCY MAUI RESORT AND SPA
MEETING FEBRUARY 12-17, 2026
This is the 41st 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 2026 course will be the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort And Spa on the island of Maui.
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2025 Course - TURTLE BAY RESORT, OAHU
MEETING JANUARY 16-21, 2025
Course directors: Steve DeMeester and Phil Katz, with support from Stu Spechler
Guest surgeons: Shahin Ayazi, Guilherme Campos, John Lipham, Sumeet Mittal, Lee Swanstrom
Guest GI: Barham Abu Dayyeh, David Katzka, Joel Rubenstein, Rhonda Souza, Sachin Wani
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2024 Course - ROYAL SONESTA KAUA'I RESORT
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
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2023 Course - HYATT REGENCY RESORT AND SPA, MAUI
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!”
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2022 Course - Fairmont Orchid, Big Island of Hawaii
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.”
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2021 Course - Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, AZ
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.”
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2020 Course - Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, Maui
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.”
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2019 Course - Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
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.”
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2018 Course - Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Resort, Maui
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.”
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2017 Course - Fairmont Orchid Resort, Hawaii
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.”
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