Events

A premier, CME-accredited educational forum designed to address critical clinical, technical, and operational practice gaps in metabolic and bariatric surgery. Guided by the 2026–2027 ASMBS presidential theme, "Elevating Our Future, Enhancing Our Specialty," established by President Dr. C. Joe Northup, the program's primary goal is to standardize evidencebased surgical techniques and multidisciplinary care pathways to optimize patient safety and long-term bariatric outcomes. To achieve this, the conference delivers intensive, live, inperson scientific lectures across three parallel content tracks and hosts the core modules of the ASMBS Leadership Academy—a dedicated practice-readiness curriculum for earlycareer bariatric fellows.

Bringing together gastroenterologists, surgeons, researchers, and innovators to advance digestive health through education, collaboration, and community.

The primary goal of the course is to provide a comprehensive, individualized hands-on workshop on current and emerging techniques in third space endoscopy, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM), submucosal tunneling resection, and more. The course will have two different agendas: one tailored for beginners and one for those with prior exposure and clinical experience in third space endoscopy (advanced). The hands-on sessions will be taught by experience world-renowned experts in the field. The low faculty to participant ratio will ensure a one-of-a kind immersive workshop.

Using cadavers and hands-on simulations, you’ll be exposed to ultrasound-guided pleural interventions with instruction from bronchoscopy experts. Learn a step-by-step approach to ultrasound-guided thoracentesis, tunneled indwelling pleural catheter placement, and more.

Breakthroughs in endoscopy start with bold ideas and the right connections to bring them to life. FIESTA brings together GI innovators, engineers, investors and industry leaders for a one-of-a-kind, high-impact summit designed to spark collaboration and accelerate the future of endoscopic care.

Building on the momentum of last year’s success, this expanded summit features the Startup Showcase, EndoEdison competition, hands-on Bioskills Lab training and dynamic panels like Victory & Defeat along with new opportunities for deeper engagement through structured physician-industry connections, a Fellows track, increased VC and payor engagement and more.

A day of collaboration as we rethink the ways we care for patients with lung nodules in our community – from early detection to intervention. During this one-day event, Thoracic Oncology Program Leaders from across our region will be joined by national experts to discuss best practices for building high-performing multidisciplinary thoracic oncology programs that can transform lung cancer care.

Nurse and Technician Course Overview: This program helps nurses and technicians improve their skills in endoscopy through hands-on training and expert discussions.

Physician Course Overview: This program is for gastroenterologists and endoscopy specialists to advance their skills with new technologies and hands-on training.

This event is presented by the Center for Digestive Health at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and is free to attend. Find information for accommodations, accreditation, faculty speakers and more, below.