Dr. Petar Mamula, professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Attending Gastroenterologist in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Medical Director of the Endoscopy Suite at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as Dr. Chris A. Liacouras, a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Attending Gastroenterologist in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Co-Director of the Center for Pediatric Eosinophilic Disorders and the Exton Specialty Center for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, served as the course directors. Dr. Pablo Laje and Dr. David A. Piccoli were expert faculty members from CHOP, and Dr. Salvador Villalpando-Carrión, Head of Pediatric Gastroenterology at the Hospital Infantil Federico Gomez in Mexico City, was present at the seminar as well.
The faculty provided 12 outstanding lectures for the fellows, covering topics such as Foreign Body Ingestion Management, Neonatal Cholestasis, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Pancreatitis Disease/Surgery, Liver Failure, an overview of common surgical procedures like gastrostomy tube placement and fundoplication, and more. Monday and Tuesday afternoon were reserved for fellows’ case presentations. This often feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity for some participants, to be able to share a challenging case from their workplace and receive input from international experts. Of the 21 cases presented, the faculty nominated two as excellent cases, in which those participants received a special award and acknowledgement.
The objectives of the course were to review the etiology, diagnostic work-up, and management for various gastrointestinal and liver diseases. To conclude the seminar, faculty and fellows enjoyed a formal lunch together during the award ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, with plenty of time to interact, reflect on the week, and discuss future collaborations. What a full and inspiring week!
