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Transplanting Hope: The Intersection of Liver Transplantation and Alcohol Use Disorder - March 20, 2026
In-Person and Virtual attendance options are available.
Explore the evolving landscape of managing patients with alcohol use disorder who require liver transplantation in our comprehensive course. Tailored for physicians, healthcare providers, and social workers, this program delves into the changing paradigm of care, highlighting innovative therapies and the integration of emotional intelligence to foster collaborative, effective teams. Gain insights into the latest research and treatment strategies that address alcohol use disorder, ensuring a holistic approach to improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall quality of care for this complex population. Join us as we equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate this critical intersection of addiction treatment and liver transplantation.
FEES
| REGISTRATION TYPE | FEE |
|---|---|
| Houston Methodist Employee | $25 |
| Physician (Private physician located within the Greater Houston Area)* | $230 |
| Physician (Private physician located outside the Greater Houston Area) | $75 |
| External Allied Health Care Professional (Non-Houston Methodist) | $50 |
| Resident / Fellow / Student | Complimentary |
* In compliance with HM’s policy on Physician Non-Monetary Compensation regarding “Stark Law,” private physicians who reside and/or practice medicine within the Greater Houston Area are required to pay the full Fair Market Value registration fee.
Presenters, topics, program schedule, and credit is subject to change
Target Audience
This program is designed for hepatologists, gastroenterologists, transplant surgeons, addiction medicine specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, internists, primary care physicians, social workers, nurses, and allied health professionals involved in the care of patients with liver disease, alcohol use disorder, and transplantation. It will also benefit those with an interest in ethical decision-making, multidisciplinary transplant management, and integrated approaches to addiction treatment.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the pathophysiological mechanisms by which alcohol contributes to the development and progression of fatty liver disease, including its impact on lipid metabolism and inflammation.
- Explain the role of the intestinal microbiome in the etiology and maintenance of alcohol addiction, including how dysbiosis may influence gut-liver axis interactions and addiction pathways.
- Identify evidence-based criteria for selecting patients with alcohol use disorder as candidates for liver transplantation, including psychosocial, medical, and ethical considerations.
- Recognize key risk factors and characteristics associated with relapse in patients who have undergone liver transplantation for alcohol use disorder, such as behavioral patterns, genetic predispositions, and post-transplant support needs.
- Evaluate the overall impact of alcohol use disorder on liver transplantation outcomes and discuss strategies for multidisciplinary management, including prevention, monitoring, and integration of the program's key topics into clinical practice.
- Evaluate emerging evidence on the role of GLP-1 agonists in the treatment of alcohol addiction, including their mechanisms of action, potential therapeutic applications, and implications for patients with alcohol use disorder undergoing liver transplantation.
- Recognize the role of liver transplantation in acute alcoholic hepatitis and the medical/surgical and psychosocial evaluation that is required for optimal outcome and survival.
| Transplanting Hope: The Intersection of Liver Transplantation and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) | ||
| AGENDA │ Friday, March 20, 2026 | ||
| Time | Topics | Speaker |
| 7:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast | |
| 7:45 AM | Conference Welcome | R. Mark Ghobrial, MD, PhD, FACS, FRCS (Ed) |
| 7:52 AM | Introduction | Joseph Galati, MD |
| Plenary Session I: Moderators: Caroline Simon, MD and Kavish Paditar, MD | ||
| 8:00 AM | 3 Questions: Emotional Intelligence and Managing a Transplant Program | Chuck Garcia, CEO |
| 8:20 AM | 3 Questions: Managing Individuals with AUD And Addiction | George Joseph, CEO |
| 8:35 AM | 3 Questions: Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis and Liver Transplantation | Gene Im, MD, FAASLD |
| 8:55 AM | Q&A Discussion (10 min) | |
| Plenary Session II: Moderator: Ashish Saharia, MD and Hana Nguyen, NP | ||
| 9:05 AM | 3 Questions: Managing a Transplant Medical Review Board | John Ontiveros, LCSW-S, ACM-SW, CCTSW |
| 9:20 AM | 3 Questions: Effects of Alcohol on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) | David Victor, MD |
| 9:35 AM | 3 Questions: Intestinal Microbiome and Addiction | Eamonn Quigley, MD |
| 9:50 AM | Q&A Discussion (10 min) | |
| 10:00AM | Morning Break (15 min) | |
| Plenary Session 3 Moderator: Michelle Jones-Pauley, DO and John Ontiveros, LCSW-S | ||
| 10:15 AM | 3 Questions: Strategies to Reduce Alcohol Relapse After Transplant | Gerald Scott Winder, MD, MSc, FACLP |
| 10:35 AM | 3 Questions: Out-Patient Management of AUD Post Transplant | Kerry Ewens, LCSW-S, CCTSW |
| 10:50 AM | 3 Questions: Role of Alcohol and Liver Cancer | Sudha Kodali, MD, MSPH |
| 11:10 AM | 3 Questions: Absolute Contraindication to Liver Transplant | Kavish Patidar, DO |
| 11:30 AM | Q&A and Discussion (20 min) | |
| 11:50 AM | Lunch | |
| Plenary Session 4 Moderator: David Victor, MD and Natalie Oliver, PA | ||
| 1:00 PM | 3 Questions: Why Is There Reluctance to Drop the 6-Month Rule? | Victor Ankoma-Sey, MD, FACP, FAASLD |
| 1:15 PM | 3 Questions: Medical Management of AUD | Akhil Shenoy, MD |
| 1:35 PM | 3 Questions: Role of GLP-1 Agents in Addiction | Archana Sadhu, MD |
| 1:50 PM | 3 Questions: Houston Methodist Experience | Ashton Connor, MD, PhD, FRCSC |
| 2:05 PM | Q&A and Discussion (10 min) | |
| Plenary Session 5 Moderator: Constance Mobley, MD and Andrea Duchini, MD | ||
| 2:15 PM | 3 Questions: Outpatient Community Based Treatment of AUD | Kevin Johnson, LCDC |
| 2:30 PM | 3 Questions: Heart Transplant and AUD | Ashrith Guha, MD |
| 2:45 PM | 3 Questions: Kidney Transplant and AUD | Peter Nguyen, MD |
| 3:00 PM | Q&A | |
| 3:15 PM | Afternoon Break | |
| Plenary Session 6 Moderator: Joseph Galati, MD | ||
| 3:30 PM | Lighting Rounds: Tying It All Together with Case Studies | Gene Im, MD Scott Wilder, MD Chuck Garcia Akil Shenoy, MD Mark Ghobrial MD John Ontiveros, LCSW-S |
| 4:15 PM | Closing Remarks | Joseph Galati, MD Mark Ghobrial, MD, PhD, FACS, FRCS (Ed) |
| 4:20 PM | Adjourn | |
In-Person attendance will be held in the Houston Methodist Research Institute (6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, Texas 77030).
Virtual information will be provided to registered learners.
Available Credit
- 6.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Houston Methodist is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Houston Methodist designates this Live activity for a maximum of 6.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 6.50 Attendance
Interested in exhibiting? Contact us for more information.
Exhibitors
We gratefully acknowledge the following companies for participating as exhibitors for this activity:
Astellas
Eisai
Gilead
HepQuant
Ipsen
James E. Bashaw & Co
Keenova
Madrigal Pharmaceuticlas
Merck
Novo Nordisk
Orphalan
Positive Recovery
Salix
Takeda
Sponsors
We gratefully acknowledge the following companies for participating as sponsors for this activity:
Gilead - Lunch Sponsor
James E. Bashaw & Co - Break Sponsor
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals - Breakfast Sponsor
Price
FEES
| REGISTRATION TYPE | FEE |
|---|---|
| Houston Methodist Employee | $25 |
| Physician (Private physician located within the Greater Houston Area)* | $230 |
| Physician (Private physician located outside the Greater Houston Area) | $75 |
| External Allied Health Care Professional (Non-Houston Methodist) | $50 |
| Resident / Fellow / Student | Complimentary |
* In compliance with HM’s policy on Physician Non-Monetary Compensation regarding “Stark Law,” private physicians who reside and/or practice medicine within the Greater Houston Area are required to pay the full Fair Market Value registration fee.
Presenters, topics, program schedule, and credit is subject to change