GHAPPcast

In this educational discussion, Mikhail Alper, PA-C, from Fresno, California, highlights the critical role of biomarkers like fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. He explains how these biomarkers provide objective measures of inflammation and treatment response—often revealing more than patient-reported symptoms alone. Michael...

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In this educational video, Alison Krustapentus, NP-C from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston discusses how to approach persistent inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). She outlines a step-by-step process for confirming true disease activity using objective measures such as C-reactive protein (CRP), fecal calprotectin, cross-sectional i...

In this video, Amy Ladewski, PA-C, a physician assistant at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, shares expert insights on how to develop a personalized treatment plan for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Amy explains why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work, emphasizing the importance of reviewing each patient’s medical and psychosocial history, prior therapies, and most bothersome symptoms—whether co...

In this episode, nurse practitioners Chantil Jeffreys, FNP, from Gastro One in Memphis, and Tuesday Werner, DNP, from Mayo Clinic Arizona, explore the vital role of community resources in supporting patients living with chronic hepatitis B. Drawing on over four decades of combined experience in hepatology and transplant medicine, they discuss practical ways clinicians can help patients connect with local and national support system...

In this video, Amy Ladewski, PA-C, a physician assistant at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, shares her expertise on having focused and meaningful conversations with patients living with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and other neurogastromotility disorders. Amy emphasizes the importance of building rapport, using a patient-centered approach, and assessing not only bowel habits but also quality of life...

In this episode of the GHAPPcast, Patrick Horne, NP and Chris Lovell, CRNP discuss the critical role of biomarkers in hepatology and liver disease management. They explain what biomarkers are, how they are used in clinical practice to detect conditions such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and how they can measure treatment response. The conversation explores the rigorous biomarker development and validation process, beginning wi...

In this podcast episode, nurse practitioner Gabriella McCarty and physician assistant Kim Orleck share expert insights on IBS with constipation (IBS-C)—one of the most common yet misunderstood gastrointestinal conditions. They explain how the diagnostic approach has shifted from a “diagnosis of exclusion” to a positive diagnostic strategy supported by ACG and AGA guidelines and the Rome criteria. Together, they highlight the import...

In this video, physician assistant Kim Orleck of Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, part of United Digestive, answers some of the most common questions about IBS medications and how to evaluate treatment success. Kim explains how clinical studies show bowel improvement—measured by complete spontaneous bowel movements—can often begin as early as one week, sometimes even within days, while abdominal pain relief typically takes 6–8 ...

In this episode, nurse practitioner Gabriella McCarty draws on over 26 years of GI, IBD, and hepatology experience to discuss irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and why patient education and shared decision-making are essential for better outcomes. Gabriella highlights how IBS-C can present with a variety of symptoms, including bloating, several days without a bowel movement, or even diarrhea caused by overflow cons...

Empowering patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) starts with education, communication, and long-term support. In this episode, nurse practitioner Sarah Dawkins, from Duke University Medical Center, and Alison Moe, PA-C, from Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, discuss the vital role Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) play in the longitudinal care of PBC patients. From explaining prognosis, symptoms, and treatment expecta...

In this podcast, pharmacist Jeffrey Dunn and Dr. Ed Pezalla boil down how U.S. managed care really works—covering Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance, the difference between self-insured vs. fully insured risk, and how PBMs and health plans split responsibilities across the pharmacy vs. medical benefit. You’ll learn why formularies, prior authorizations, step therapy, and utilization management exist, how to navigate them,...

In this clinical discussion on CHB, Scott Springer, PA-C, and Dawn Drazek, NP, explore real-world application of treatment guidelines, including the 2018 AASLD recommendations. They break down when to initiate therapy based on HBV DNA levels, ALT elevations, and HBeAg status, while also highlighting the importance of patient-centered care—especially in unique populations such as those who are pregnant, have chronic kidney disease, ...

Living with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) often means facing daily challenges such as fatigue, itching (pruritus), sleep disruption, and the emotional impact of managing a chronic liver disease. In this GHAPP podcast, physician assistants Lindsay Yoder, PA-C and Melissa Franco, PA share real-world strategies for improving quality of life for patients with PBC. They discuss how to screen for and manage common symptoms like fatig...

Living with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) often means navigating not only physical symptoms but also challenges with mental health, including depression, anxiety, fatigue, and cognitive “brain fog.” In this expert discussion, physician assistants Lindsay Yoder, PA-C, and Melissa Franco, PA, share real-world strategies for screening, addressing, and supporting the mental health needs of patients with PBC. They highlight how APPs...

In this episode of the GHAPPcast, the official podcast of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers, host Mikhail Alper, PA-C, sits down with Natalie Oliver, PA-C, a hepatology expert from Houston Methodist Hospital and Liver Specialists of Texas. Together, they explore the critical topic of biomarker validation in liver cancer, highlighting the role of the NCI Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) in setting st...

In this engaging episode, nurse practitioners HoChong Gilles from the Central Virginia VA Healthcare System and Ann Moore from Arizona Liver Health share their expertise on navigating challenging conversations in the care of patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). They explore some of the most difficult topics to address—including disease chronicity, symptom management for fatigue and pruritus, and discussing prognosis—whi...

In this engaging session from the second ADH Conference, nurse practitioner Allan Guerra and physician assistant Jhuli Patel discuss the importance of collaboration across specialties in the management of patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). Drawing from their respective experiences in solo and group GI practices, they highlight the critical role Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) play in identifying, diagnosing, and ma...

Join Sudhisha Jala, PA-C, and Rachael Bierschenk, ARNP, for an insightful and practical podcast episode on managing Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) in real-world clinical settings. With combined experience in gastroenterology and hepatology, these two seasoned APPs explore the most common and challenging symptoms of PBC—fatigue and pruritus—and share both non-pharmacological strategies and evidence-based pharmacological intervent...

In this video, Mary Clarke, a GI motility nurse practitioner in San Diego, addresses the difference between functional constipation and constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-C). Drawing from the Rome IV criteria developed by the Rome Foundation, Mary explains how functional constipation is defined by infrequent bowel movements, hard stool consistency, and difficulty evacuating—without the presence of significant pa...