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AMNM Gastroenterology Symposium
Event Details
Attendance: In-person
Accredited by MOPH: Earn up to 7 hours
Activity Code: "A554"
Venue: The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl Qatar
Click here for Venue Location

Overview

Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine (AMNM) Gastroenterology Symposium provides a dedicated platform to discuss latest evidence-based updates on wide variety of gastrointestinal conditions commonly seen in primary and secondary care practice in Qatar.

Organized in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, USA, the symposium brings together physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals, in a team context with the aim of raising awareness, sharing best practices, and highlighting advances in gastroenterology.

The program will feature a series of engaging case presentations and interactive discussions led by experts from Northwestern Medicine, AMNM, and Qatar, offering participants valuable clinical insights into the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal disorders.

Overall Learning Objectives

At the end of the activity the participants will be able to:
  • Differentiate functional and structural GI disorders by analyzing patient presentations and applying evidence-based diagnostic criteria and tools.
  • Develop individualized, evidence-based management plans that integrate dietary, lifestyle, pharmacologic, and procedural interventions to address diverse GI conditions.
  • Evaluate emerging therapeutic modalities—including third space endoscopy and robotic-assisted surgery—by assessing their indications, procedural techniques, and patient outcomes.
  • Demonstrate effective strategies to educate and engage patients in understanding symptom management, treatment plans, and lifestyle modifications to support adherence and self-care.
  • Analyze complex GI case scenarios and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop optimal patient-centered care plans across different age groups.

Scientific Planning Committee

  • Dr. Fawzi Al-Ayoubi. MD, FACS. PhD-Cand – Symposium Chairperson
  • Dr. Michella Mallat. MD
  • Dr. Khaled Rida. MD
  • Ali Ahmad Khader Masarwah. RN
  • Mercedes Carrillo. RN - Endoscopy Unit
  • Paul Aoun
  • Asha Shaji

Speakers

Dr. Darren Brenner
Dr. Darren Brenner
Consultant Gastroenterology
Northwestern Medicine (Chicago, USA)
Dr. Michella Mallat
Dr. Michella Mallat
Consultant Gastroenterology
Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine
Dr. Ali Khalil
Dr. Ali Khalil
Consultant Gastroenterology
(AMAN Hospital)
Dr. Christopher M. Moore
Dr. Christopher M. Moore
Consultant Gastroenterology
Northwestern Medical Group (Chicago, USA))
Dr. Abdul Aziz Aadam
Dr. Abdul Aziz Aadam
Director of Interventional Endoscopy
Northwestern Medicine (Chicago, USA)
Dr. Eugene F. YenVirtual speaker
Dr. Eugene F. Yen
Consultant Gastroenterology
Northwestern Medical Group (Chicago, USA))
Prof. Mamoun Elawad
Prof. Mamoun Elawad
Division Chief of Gastroenterology / Hepatology / Nutrition
Sidra Medicine
Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine (AMNM) GI Symposium
Time Session Title/Topic Session Specific Learning Objectives
8:15 am Registration & Pre-test Questionnaire
8:45 am Welcome Note
9:00 am
(30 Min)		 Session 1 – Topic 1:
There’s a Burning in My Belly: Current & Future Methods to Relieve the Functional Dyspepsia Fire
Dr. Darren Brenner Dr. Darren Brenner (NM) 		At the end of the session the participants will be able to:

  1. Analyze clinical features and apply appropriate diagnostic tools and alarm symptom evaluations to distinguish functional dyspepsia from other upper GI disorders.
  2. Develop individualized, evidence-based management plans for dyspepsia that integrate dietary, lifestyle, pharmacologic, and other therapeutic strategies.
  3. Evaluate future and emerging treatment modalities for dyspepsia, including their indications and potential clinical applications.
9:30 am
(30 Min)		 Session 1 – Topic 2:
AGA Clinical Practice Update on Evaluation and Management of Belching, Abdominal Bloating, and Distention: Expert Review
Dr. Michella Mallat Dr. Michella Mallat (AMNM) 		At the end of the session the participants will be able to:

  1. Differentiate between gastric belching and supragastric belching, recognizing their distinct mechanisms and clinical implications.
  2. Apply the Rome IV criteria to accurately diagnose functional abdominal bloating and distention.
  3. Utilize evidence-based diagnostic strategies, including breath testing for carbohydrate malabsorption/SIBO and celiac disease screening, in appropriate patient scenarios.
  4. Implement tailored management strategies such as dietary modification (e.g., low-FODMAP diet), behavioral therapies, and pharmacologic interventions.
  5. Identify alarm features and determine when further investigations or specialist referral are warranted.
10:00 am Question and Answer Session (15 Min)
10:15 am
(30 Min)		 Session 2 – Topic 1:
Fact or Fiction? Applying Evidence To Simplify the Diagnosis and Treatment of IBS
Dr. Darren Brenner Dr. Darren Brenner (NM) 		At the end of the session the participants will be able to:

  1. Analyze clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and distinguish it from other gastrointestinal conditions using appropriate tools.
  2. Apply evidence-based and personalized management strategies tailored to specific IBS subtypes.
  3. Develop individualized management strategies that combine dietary, behavioral, and pharmacologic interventions to optimize treatment outcomes for patients with IBS.
10:45 am
(30 Min)		 Session 2 – Topic 2:
Endoscopy and Obesity
Dr. Ali Khalil Dr. Ali Khalil (AMAN Hospital) 		At the end of the session the participants will be able to:

  1. Analyze indications and contraindications, and classify various types of bariatric endoscopic procedures.
  2. Evaluate the benefits and risks of bariatric endoscopic interventions, and apply evidence-based data to guide patient selection and management.
  3. Evaluate emerging bariatric endoscopic techniques and their potential long-term outcomes.
11:15 am Question and Answer Session (15 Min)
11:30 am Break and Prayer (15 Min)
11:45 am
(30 Min)		 Session 3 – Topic 1:
Colectomy Creates Chaos: When An Inaccurate Assessment of Chronic Constipation Goes Terribly Wrong
Dr. Darren Brenner Dr. Darren Brenner (NM) 		At the end of the session the participants will be able to:

  1. Evaluate clinical criteria, risk factors, and diagnostic findings to justify the distinction between functional and secondary constipation.
  2. Create individualized management strategies by integrating non-pharmacologic, pharmacologic, and advanced therapeutic options based on evidence.
  3. Develop multi-modal interventions for complex or special patient populations to maximize clinical outcomes.
12:15 pm
(30 Min)		 Session 3 – Topic 2:
The Latest on 3rd Space Endoscopy
Dr. Abdul Aziz Aadam Dr. Aziz Aadam (NM) 		At the end of the session the participants will be able to:

  1. Analyze the principles and techniques underlying third-space endoscopy.
  2. Evaluate the function of electrosurgical generators and apply strategies to optimize procedural outcomes.
  3. Evaluate and Determine appropriate electrosurgical modes for specific procedures based on clinical requirements.
12:45 pm Question and Answer Session (15 Min)
1:00 pm Lunch (1 Hour)
2:00 pm
(30 Min)		 Session 4 – Topic 1:
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Dr. Eugene F. Yen Dr. Eugene Yen (NM - Remote) 		At the end of the session the participants will be able to:

  1. Analyze clinical features, diagnostic criteria, endoscopy, imaging, and biomarkers to accurately diagnose Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
  2. Develop individualized treatment plans that incorporate lifestyle modifications, pharmacologic therapies, and biologics tailored to disease severity and phenotype.
  3. Evaluate disease activity, extraintestinal manifestations, and complications using appropriate clinical and diagnostic tools.
2:30 pm
(30 Min)		 Session 4 – Topic 2:
MASLD & MASH: Principles and Management
Dr. Christopher M. Moore Dr. Christopher Moore (NM - Remote) 		At the end of the session the participants will be able to:

  1. Analyze the burden of disease and clinical phenotypes by examining epidemiology, risk factors, and presentations of MASLD and MASH.
  2. Evaluate and stratify patients across the steatosis spectrum using evidence-based clinical assessments.
  3. Apply non-invasive tools, such as imaging and biomarkers, to assess liver fibrosis and monitor disease progression.
  4. Develop comprehensive management plans for MASLD and MASH, including lifestyle interventions, pharmacologic treatments, and referrals for advanced care when indicated.
3:00 pm Question and Answer Session (15 Min)
3:15 pm
(45 Min)		 Session 5 – Topic 1:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children, Does it Differ from Adults?
Prof. Mamoun Elawad Prof. Mamoun Elawad (Sidra Medicine - Remote) 		At the end of the session the participants will be able to:

  1. Analyze the key mechanisms of underlying IBD pathophysiology.
  2. Distinguish pediatric from adult IBD based on clinical features.
  3. Evaluate diagnostic approaches and management strategies for IBD.
4:00 pm Question and Answer Session (15 Min)
4:15 pm Break (15 Min)
4:30 pm
(1 Hour)		 Case-Based Interactive Discussion:
Cases from AMNM & NM
Dr. Abdul Aziz Aadam Dr. Aziz Aadam (NM) Dr. Darren Brenner Dr. Darren Brenner (NM) Dr. Michella Mallat Dr. Michella Mallat (AMNM) 		At the end of the session the participants will be able to:

  1. Analyze real-world GI case scenarios to reinforce key diagnostic and treatment principles discussed throughout the symposium.
  2. Apply evidence-based decision making to complex gastrointestinal cases involving functional, structural, and surgical considerations.
  3. Demonstrate clinical reasoning and multidisciplinary collaboration in managing patients with challenging or atypical presentations.
5:30 pm Closing Remark (Complete the Post-Test and Evaluation Form by 14th of November 6:00 PM)

For CPD Certificate

To receive your certificate, participants must:
  • Complete the Pre-Test (prior to session start)
  • Attend the full session (08:00 AM – 06:00 PM)
  • Complete the Post-Test and Evaluation Form
  • Submit Qatar ID and Medical License Number
  • Use the same email address for both Pre- and Post-Tests
  • Submit all required forms and feedback by 17th of November 6:00 PM
  • A feedback and evaluation link will be shared after the session to the registered email ID

The scientific planning committee has reviewed all disclosed financial relationships of speakers, moderators, facilitators and/or authors in advance of this CPD activity and has implemented procedures to manage any potential or real conflicts of interest.

This activity is a Category 1 - Accredited Group Learning Activity as defined by the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Healthcare Professions - Accreditation Section and is approved for a maximum of 7.00 hours