ASGE Announces New Courses For 2014

Multiple course offerings to be held at ASGE's new state-of-the-art training facility

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Dec. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The new year will see new course offerings, as well as the return of popular programs, from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). Many of ASGE's courses will be held at the Society's new $20 million, 42,000 square foot, state-of-the-art training center and world headquarters: The ASGE Institute for Training and Technology (IT&T) in Chicago's Downers Grove suburb. ASGE is introducing the following new courses for 2014.

Risky Business: Managing Cancer Risk in Chronic Digestive Conditions will be held Feb. 21-22 in Washington, DC. This course will focus on the chronic gastrointestinal (GI) conditions that increase cancer risk, such as: chronic pancreatitis, primary sclerosis cholangitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Barrett's esophagus, gastric metaplasia and cystic lesions of the pancreas. Additional topics to be covered include the various colonic polyposis syndromes, serrated adenomas, and Lynch syndrome. Video based case discussions with a multi-disciplinary panel of experts will be utilized to illustrate clinical challenges.

GI Bleeding Toolbox: Acute and Chronic will be held on Mar. 14-15 at ASGE's IT&T in Downers Grove, Ill. Recently, established techniques have been refined and major advances have been made in the endoscopic approach to GI bleeding. This course will enhance participants' working knowledge of the state-of-the-art in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic bleeding from the upper GI tract, small bowel, and colon. The purpose of this program is to instruct the audience, through lecture and hands-on training, about the most evidence-based and up-to-date developments in the endoscopic care of patients with GI hemorrhage with an emphasis on clinical knowledge.

EMR STAR Certificate Program – Lower GI and Upper GI – ASGE's new STAR Certificate Program (an acronym for Skills, Training, Assessment, Reinforcement) will be offered three times in 2014. The first STAR programs will focus on endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). The EMR STAR Certificate Program includes two modules: 1) Lower GI and 2) Upper GI. Physicians may choose to pursue a Certificate of Completion in the Lower GI module only, or sign up for both modules at the same time to receive a discount. Successful completion of both the cognitive and skills assessment components of the Lower GI module is a prerequisite for participation in the Upper GI module. The first EMR STAR Certificate Program for Lower GI is already sold out in February, but will be repeated on July 18-20 at ASGE's IT&T in Downers Grove, Ill. The EMR STAR Certificate Program for Upper GI will be held Nov. 7-9 at the IT&T in Downers Grove.

Popular programs return in 2014

Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit will be offered Feb. 21 in Washington DC, May 2 in Nashville, Tenn., and Sept. 18 in Las Vegas. 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.

ASGE Recognized Industry Associate (ARIA) Training will be held on Apr. 8 and Nov. 3 at the ASGE IT&T in Downers Grove, Ill. The ARIA program is an initiative dedicated to industry professionals. The ARIA program has two main goals: 1) educate the GI sales force and other industry representatives on today's most relevant gastroenterology and endoscopy topics, and 2) recognize those who have demonstrated deep commitment to GI through completion of this comprehensive, full-spectrum gastroenterology program. Through a live course, the ASGE ARIA program creates a common language and a shared understanding for improved communication and more successful dialogue between clinicians and industry representatives.

Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) will be held May 3-6 in Chicago, Ill., and will continue to offer diverse opportunities for learning, including video forums, hands-on courses and ASGE's premiere Annual Postgraduate Course, Practice of Endoscopy in 2014: Integration of Science, Art and Technology, led by course directors Betsy Rodriguez, MD, Prateek Sharma, MD and Louis-Michel Wong Kee Song, MD, FASGE, which will be held on May 5. Register for DDW activities prior to Mar. 26 to receive the early-bird discount. Registration opens Jan. 8 at www.ddw.org.

GI Outlook 2014: The Practice Management Conference will be held Aug. 1-3 in Washington, DC. This unique course is 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 Sept. 19-21 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.

Media Contact:
Anne Brownsey
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SOURCE American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy