Houston Methodist 11th Annual Exploring Frontiers in the Management of Digestive and Liver Disorders 2026

Gastroenterology • Hepatology • GI Surgery • GLP-1 Therapy • Autoimmune Liver Disease • Pancreatic Cysts • GERD • Advanced Endoscopy • IBD • Crohn’s Disease • Colorectal Surgery

The Houston Methodist 11th Annual Exploring Frontiers in the Management of Digestive and Liver Disorders 2026 provides a comprehensive, evidence-based update on contemporary gastroenterology, hepatology, advanced endoscopy, gastrointestinal surgery, and colorectal disease management.

Held on February 20, 2026, the symposium focuses on the rapidly evolving diagnostic and therapeutic options available for patients with gastrointestinal and liver disorders. New pharmacologic agents, minimally invasive procedures, advanced endoscopic techniques, and surgical innovations continue to expand treatment possibilities, making it increasingly important for clinicians to understand how these approaches fit into everyday patient care.

Presented by the Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders at Houston Methodist, the program brings together experts from gastroenterology, hepatology, endocrinology, advanced endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery to examine practical applications of current evidence.

Major areas include autoimmune liver disease, pancreatic cyst management, neurogastroenterology, chronic constipation, GLP-1 therapies, metabolic and alcohol-associated liver disease, GERD, hiatal hernia, transoral incisionless fundoplication, potassium-competitive acid blockers, H. pylori treatment, endoscopic management of GI tract defects, inflammatory bowel disease, nutrition in IBD, and surgical management of Crohn’s disease.

Course Details

• Course: 11th Annual Exploring Frontiers in the Management of Digestive and Liver Disorders
• Provider: Houston Methodist
• Presented by: Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders
• Year: 2026
• Date: February 20, 2026
• Location: Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
• Original Format: In-Person and Virtual
• Primary Focus: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Advanced Endoscopy, and GI Surgery
• Language: English
• Course Director: Eamonn Quigley, MD
• Co-Course Directors: Sudha Kodali, MBBS, MSPH; Lee Morris, MD, FACS

Target Audience

The course is designed for healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and multidisciplinary management of gastrointestinal and liver disorders.

The official target audience includes:

• Physicians
• Physician Assistants
• Nurse Practitioners
• Nurses
• Residents
• Fellows
• Students
• Researchers

The program is particularly relevant to professionals working in:

• Gastroenterology
• Hepatology
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Colorectal Surgery
• Internal Medicine

It is also highly relevant to:

• Gastroenterologists
• Hepatologists
• General Surgeons
• GI Surgeons
• Colorectal Surgeons
• Advanced Endoscopists
• Foregut Surgeons
• Bariatric Surgeons
• Internal Medicine Physicians
• Endocrinologists involved in GLP-1 therapy
• Dietitians involved in gastrointestinal and IBD care
• Residents and Fellows
• Researchers in digestive disease and hepatology

Program Overview

Several new surgical, endoscopic, pharmacologic, and diagnostic approaches to digestive disease management have become available, but determining their exact role in clinical practice can remain challenging.

The Houston Methodist 11th Annual Exploring Frontiers in the Management of Digestive and Liver Disorders 2026 addresses this challenge by presenting evidence-based updates designed to help healthcare professionals better understand emerging technologies, evolving disease concepts, and new therapeutic strategies.

The program combines perspectives from gastroenterology, hepatology, surgery, endocrinology, nutrition, and advanced endoscopy.

The scientific program is organized around four major clinical areas:

• Liver and pancreatic disorders
• GLP-1 agents and their gastrointestinal and hepatic effects
• Esophageal and foregut disorders
• Inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal surgery

Additional emphasis is placed on technological innovation, including augmented reality in surgery, advanced endoscopic management, minimally invasive treatment of GERD and hiatal hernia, and evolving operative strategies for Crohn’s disease.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

• Discuss the risks and management of common GI disorders.
• Review the latest updates in GI Cancer.
• Describe the endoscopic management of GI disorders.
• Discuss robotic strategies in the management of GI disorders.
• Review the latest innovations in GI surgery.

Official Program Topics

Plenary Session I – Liver and Pancreas

Updates in Autoimmune Liver Disease

Kavish Patidar, DO

Reviews contemporary developments in autoimmune liver disease, including diagnostic considerations, disease evaluation, and evolving approaches to clinical management.

Management of Pancreatic Cysts

Yee Lee Cheah, MD, FACS

Examines evidence-based approaches to pancreatic cyst evaluation, surveillance, risk assessment, and decisions regarding intervention.

The Use of an Augmented Reality Headset to Enhance Ergonomics and Visualization During Surgery

Patrick Reardon, MD, FACS, MAMSE

Explores the application of augmented reality technology in surgery and its potential role in improving visualization, operative ergonomics, and surgical workflow.

Annual Josephine Hughes-Sterling Neurogastroenterology Lecture: Clinical Constipation – Mechanisms, Phenotypes, and Targeted Therapy

Adil Bharucha, MBBS, MD

Reviews the mechanisms responsible for chronic constipation, identifies clinically relevant phenotypes, and discusses targeted therapeutic approaches based on underlying pathophysiology.

Liver/Pancreas Panel Discussion

Provides multidisciplinary discussion of contemporary diagnostic and therapeutic challenges involving liver, pancreatic, and digestive disorders.

Plenary Session II – Everything About GLP-1 Agents

GLP-1 Agents From a Hepatologist’s Perspective – Impact on MAFLD and Interactions With AFLD

Joe Galati, MD

Examines GLP-1-based therapies from a hepatology perspective, including their implications for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and their interaction with alcohol-associated liver disease.

GLP-1 Agents – Endocrinology Perspective

Archana Sadhu, MD, FACE

Reviews GLP-1 therapies from an endocrinology perspective, with emphasis on metabolic disease management and clinical integration.

Side Effect Profile of GLP-1 Agonists

Thomas McCarty, MD, MPH

Discusses gastrointestinal and systemic adverse effects associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists and practical strategies for recognizing and managing treatment-related complications.

GLP-1 Agents Panel Discussion

Integrates perspectives from hepatology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology regarding the expanding use of GLP-1 therapies and their effects on digestive and metabolic health.

Plenary Session III – Esophagus and Foregut

Concomitant Hiatal Hernia Repair and Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (cTIF) for Treatment of GERD With Hiatal Hernia

Deepika Satish, MD

Reviews the combined use of hiatal hernia repair and transoral incisionless fundoplication for selected patients with GERD and associated hiatal hernia.

Hiatal Hernia Repair in Octogenarians

Warren Naselsky, MD

Examines patient selection, operative considerations, and clinical decision-making for hiatal hernia repair in patients aged 80 years and older.

PCABs – Where Do They Fit in GERD or H. pylori Treatment Algorithms?

Kavin Kanthasamy, MD

Discusses the evolving role of potassium-competitive acid blockers in modern GERD management and Helicobacter pylori eradication strategies.

Endoscopic Management of GI Tract Defects

Eric Pauli, MD, FACS, FASGE, FEBSAWS (Hon.)

Reviews advanced endoscopic techniques for the treatment and closure of gastrointestinal tract defects and related complications.

Esophagus/Foregut Panel Discussion

Provides multidisciplinary discussion of GERD, hiatal hernia, acid suppression, minimally invasive procedures, and advanced endoscopic treatment strategies.

Plenary Session IV – IBD and Colorectal Disease

IBD Management Update – Positioning All the Available Therapies

Malcolm Irani, MD

Reviews contemporary therapeutic options for inflammatory bowel disease and discusses how available treatments can be positioned within individualized clinical care.

Nutritional Support for the IBD Patient

Marianne Ayad, RD, LD, MS, MBChB, DipACLM

Examines nutritional assessment and evidence-based nutritional support for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Operative Approaches to Colonic Crohn’s Disease – Partial Colectomy, Pouch, and Other Strategies

Joshua Coursey, MD

Reviews surgical options for colonic Crohn’s disease, including partial colectomy, pouch procedures, and alternative operative strategies tailored to disease distribution and patient factors.

IBD/Colorectal Panel Discussion

Provides multidisciplinary perspectives on medical therapy, nutrition, endoscopy, and surgical decision-making for patients with inflammatory bowel disease and complex colorectal conditions.

Major Topics Covered

• Gastroenterology
• Hepatology
• Digestive Disorders
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Colorectal Surgery
• Advanced Endoscopy
• Autoimmune Liver Disease
• Pancreatic Cysts
• Pancreatic Disease
• Neurogastroenterology
• Chronic Constipation
• Constipation Mechanisms
• Constipation Phenotypes
• Targeted Constipation Therapy
• GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
• GLP-1 Therapy
• GLP-1 Adverse Effects
• Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
• MAFLD
• Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease
• AFLD
• Metabolic Liver Disease
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• GERD
• Hiatal Hernia
• Hiatal Hernia Surgery
• Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication
• cTIF
• Potassium-Competitive Acid Blockers
• PCABs
• H. pylori Treatment
• GI Tract Defects
• Endoscopic Closure
• Endoscopic GI Therapy
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• IBD
• IBD Pharmacotherapy
• Crohn’s Disease
• Colonic Crohn’s Disease
• IBD Nutrition
• Nutritional Support
• Colorectal Surgery
• Foregut Surgery
• GI Surgical Innovation
• Augmented Reality in Surgery
• Surgical Visualization
• Minimally Invasive GI Surgery
• Multidisciplinary Digestive Disease Care

Course Directors

Eamonn Quigley, MD

Course Director

Faculty leader in gastroenterology and digestive disease education at Houston Methodist.

Sudha Kodali, MBBS, MSPH

Co-Course Director

Faculty leader involved in hepatology and digestive disease education.

Lee Morris, MD, FACS

Co-Course Director

Surgical faculty leader involved in gastrointestinal and digestive disease management.

Session Chairs

Faculty serving as session chairs include:

• Kavish Patidar, MD
• Deepika Satish, MD
• Neha Mathur, MD
• Joe Galati, MD
• Charles Meade, MD
• Deven Patel, MD
• Feenalie Patel, MD
• Tareq Kamal, MD

Faculty

Faculty featured in the scientific program include:

• Osama Gaber, MD, FACS, FAST
• Eamonn Quigley, MD
• Kavish Patidar, DO
• Yee Lee Cheah, MD, FACS
• Patrick Reardon, MD, FACS, MAMSE
• Adil Bharucha, MBBS, MD
• Joe Galati, MD
• Archana Sadhu, MD, FACE
• Thomas McCarty, MD, MPH
• Deepika Satish, MD
• Warren Naselsky, MD
• Kavin Kanthasamy, MD
• Eric Pauli, MD, FACS, FASGE, FEBSAWS (Hon.)
• Malcolm Irani, MD
• Marianne Ayad, RD, LD, MS, MBChB, DipACLM
• Joshua Coursey, MD

Accreditation

The official Houston Methodist live activity offered up to:

• 7.00 ABS MOC Credits
• 7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• 7.00 Attendance Credits
• 7.00 Nursing Contact Hours

Successful completion of the official CME activity enabled eligible learners to earn credit toward requirements of the American Board of Surgery Continuous Certification Program.

Houston Methodist is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Houston Methodist is also accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Why This Symposium Is Relevant

The Houston Methodist 11th Annual Exploring Frontiers in the Management of Digestive and Liver Disorders 2026 addresses several rapidly evolving areas of modern gastroenterology, hepatology, advanced endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery.

The program is particularly relevant for clinicians seeking current education on:

• Autoimmune liver disease
• Pancreatic cyst evaluation and management
• Neurogastroenterology
• Chronic constipation mechanisms and phenotypes
• Targeted constipation treatment
• GLP-1 therapies
• GLP-1 treatment in metabolic liver disease
• Gastrointestinal side effects of GLP-1 agonists
• GERD treatment
• Hiatal hernia repair
• Transoral incisionless fundoplication
• cTIF
• PCAB therapy
• H. pylori treatment
• Advanced endoscopic management of GI tract defects
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Modern IBD pharmacotherapy
• Nutrition in IBD
• Crohn’s disease surgery
• Colorectal surgery
• Augmented reality in GI surgery
• Advanced surgical visualization
• New endoscopic and surgical technologies

By combining hepatology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, nutrition, endoscopy, colorectal surgery, and foregut surgery, the symposium provides a multidisciplinary view of contemporary digestive disease management.

Short Description

Houston Methodist 11th Annual Exploring Frontiers in the Management of Digestive and Liver Disorders 2026 provides an evidence-based update on autoimmune liver disease, pancreatic cysts, neurogastroenterology, GLP-1 therapies, GERD, hiatal hernia, cTIF, PCABs, advanced endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, nutrition, colorectal surgery, and contemporary GI surgical innovation.

+ Topics:

• 01 Autoimmune Liver Disease – Contemporary Updates in Diagnosis, Risk Assessment, and Clinical Management
• 02 Pancreatic Cysts – Evidence-Based Evaluation, Surveillance, and Management Strategies for Cystic Pancreatic Lesions
• 03 Augmented Reality in GI Surgery – Enhancing Surgical Visualization, Ergonomics, and Operative Workflow With AR Technology
• 04 Chronic Constipation – Understanding Mechanisms, Clinical Phenotypes, and Targeted Neurogastroenterology Treatment
• 05 GLP-1 Therapy and Liver Disease – Hepatology Perspective on MAFLD, Metabolic Health, and Interactions With Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
• 06 GLP-1 Agents in Metabolic Care – Endocrinology Perspectives on Patient Selection, Therapeutic Use, and Clinical Integration
• 07 GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Adverse Effects – Recognizing and Managing Gastrointestinal and Systemic Treatment Complications
• 08 GERD With Hiatal Hernia – Combining Hiatal Hernia Repair and Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication Using the cTIF Approach
• 09 Hiatal Hernia Surgery in Older Adults – Clinical and Operative Considerations for Repair in Octogenarian Patients
• 10 Potassium-Competitive Acid Blockers – Positioning PCABs Within GERD and H. pylori Treatment Algorithms
• 11 Advanced Endoscopy for GI Tract Defects – Contemporary Endoscopic Strategies for Closure and Management of Gastrointestinal Defects
• 12 Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy – Positioning Available Medical Treatments Across the Modern IBD Treatment Landscape
• 13 Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Nutritional Assessment and Support Strategies for Patients With IBD
• 14 Colonic Crohn’s Disease Surgery – Selecting Partial Colectomy, Pouch, and Other Operative Strategies
• 15 Liver and Pancreatic Disorders – Integrating Contemporary Medical, Endoscopic, and Surgical Approaches Into Clinical Practice
• 16 Foregut Disease Management – Modern Strategies for GERD, Hiatal Hernia, Acid Suppression, and Endoscopic Therapy
• 17 IBD and Colorectal Care – Coordinating Medical, Nutritional, Endoscopic, and Surgical Treatment of Complex Bowel Disease
• 18 GI Surgical Innovation – Applying New Technologies, Minimally Invasive Techniques, and Advanced Visualization to Digestive Disease Surgery

+ 

• 01 Welcome to the 2026 Underwood Symposium

• 02 Updates in Autoimmune Liver Disease

• 03 Management of Pancreatic Cysts (2026)

• 04 Spatial Computing in the Operating Room

• 05 Clinical Constipation – Mechanisms, Phenotypes, and Targeted Therapy

• 06 LiverPancreasConstipation Panel Discussion

• 07 GLP-1 Agonists – A Hepatologist’s Perspective – Impact on MASLD, Interactions with AFLD

• 08 GLP1-RA – An Endocrinologist’s Perspective

• 09 Side Effect Profile of GLP-1 Agonists

• 10 GLP-1 Agents Panel Discussion

• 11 Concomitant Hiatal Hernia Repair and Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (cTIF) for Treatment of GERD with Hiatal Hernia

• 12 Hiatal Hernia Repair in Octogenarians – Rethinking Surgical Risk in an Aging Population

• 13 P-CABs – Where Do They Fit in the Treatment of GERD and H.Pylori

• 14 Endoscopic Management of Gastrointestinal Defects

• 15 Esophagus and Foregut Panel Discussion

• 16 Positioning All the Available IBD Therapies

• 17 Nutritional Support for the IBD Patient

• 18 Operative Approaches to Colonic Crohn’s Disease

• 19 IBD and Colorectal Panel Discussion