Thought Leader

Mission of the MASLD Community

Dedicated to fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and improving outcomes for patients living with Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Engage with MASLD/MASH Experts in Your Region

Connect with regional specialists for personalized guidance, professional training, and continuous support in MASLD/MASH.

Expert Insights

Benefit from expert-driven resources, including podcasts, publications, and practical tools designed for clinicians and patients.

Tailored Education for Your Community

Join your regional community network, where education is tailored to meet local needs. Collaborate with peers from local and regional communities, share knowledge, and drive impactful changes together.

Featured MASLD/MASH Educators

Kate Lee-Young

CRNP, DNP

Kate Lee-Young, DNP, MS, CRNP is a board-certified Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specializing in Hepatology and Transplant Hepatology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. She earned her MSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from the University of Maryland and completed an NP Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She has a special interest in Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Metabolic Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) along with obesity management and holds a Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine through the Obesity Medicine Association.

Lucy Matthew

NP

Lucy Mathew, NP, is a nurse practitioner at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, specializing in providing expert care for patients with complex medical conditions. With a focus on personalized treatment and patient education, she is dedicated to improving health outcomes through evidence-based practices.

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Gabriella McCarty

NP-C

Gabriella McCarty is a gastroenterology/hepatology nurse practitioner. She obtained her masters and nurse practitioner degree at Case Western Reserve University in 2004. She has been practicing in this field for 26 years. She serves as faculty for Gastroenterology/ Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPP) and is an American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) committee member, serving on the education subcommittee. She will be completing her doctorate of nursing in May 2025. She loves all aspects of GI / Hepatology, education and nursing.

Alison Moe

PA-C

Alison S. Moe, MS, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in gastroenterology at United Digestive's Braselton office in Hoschton, Georgia. She earned her Master of Science in Medical Education from Seton Hall University and a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Anthropology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Alison is fluent in Spanish and has a special interest in treating irritable bowel syndrome and liver disease. With almost two decades of experience as a Physician Assistant, Alison has developed a strong foundation in both clinical practice and research, particularly in the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology. Alison's dedication to patient care includes extensive clinical hours, allowing her to cultivate deep relationships with patients as well as national experts caring for individuals, especially those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and advanced liver disease. Alison's commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of these conditions drives my clinical practice and ongoing research efforts, aiming to provide the highest standard of care for my patients.

Christie Morrison

AGACNP-BC

Christie Morrison, AGACNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner at Oshi Health, specializing in virtual GI care and managing a team of GI providers. With extensive experience in inflammatory bowel disease, she also works part-time at Texas Digestive Disease Center in San Antonio.

Jill Olmstead

DNP, ANP-BC, FAANP

Jill Olmstead, ANP, MSN, is a gastroenterology nurse practitioner with Providence St. Jude Heritage Medical Group in Fullerton, California. She specializes in diagnosing and managing gastrointestinal disorders, offering compassionate, evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes.

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Oyin Penny

MSN, FNP

Oyin Penny is a dedicated and experienced Nurse practitioner in Hepatology and Gastroenterology with a passion for providing comprehensive care to patients with various gastrointestinal disorders and liver disease. Oyin has 13+ years of clinical experience. She has an expertise in managing patients in conditions such as Steatotic liver disease (metabolic liver disease), chronic liver disease, hepatitis (acute or chronic), inflammatory bowel disease and functional GI disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She actively collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to ensure her patients receive the best quality care. Oyin is committed to a patient-centered care, with emphasis on education, disease prevention, and lifestyle modifications to improve health outcomes. In addition to clinical experience, Oyin is passionate about patient advocacy and mentorship. She is currently a Mentor for APPs for the ACG and also initiated and leads the KC Gut club for APPs in GI and Hepatology in the Kansas City area.

Emily Przybyl

PA-C

Emily Przybyl is a physician assistant who specializes in gastroenterology and hepatology at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, NY. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Daemen University in Amherst, NY. She has over 5 years experience in her field and has a special interest in treating patients with MASLD/MASH.

Lisa Richards

MSN, FNP-BC, AF-AASLD

Lisa Richards is a highly experienced Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of California, San Diego Health System. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Nursing, graduating magna cum laude, from the University of San Diego. With over 22 years of experience in Hepatology, Lisa has developed specialized expertise in MASLD (Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) and its related research. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Clinical Operations at the MASLD Research Center, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing the field. A dedicated member of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), Lisa has been honored with the prestigious title of Associate Fellow, recognizing her excellence and leadership in Hepatology. In addition to her clinical and research work, Lisa is an active speaker and thought leader in her field. She has presented at esteemed events such as the AASLD Annual Meeting, Global Hepatology and Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPPP), and various local and regional conferences, sharing her deep knowledge and insights into Hepatology. Known for her leadership and expertise, Lisa Richards is widely regarded as a key figure in advancing MASLD research and Hepatology care.

Sharon Rimon

NP

During her dozen years at AZ Gastro Care, Sharon has responsibilities for both patient care and administration, seeing all types of gastroenterology patients and overseeing tasks such as credentialing, staffing, and contracting. Her clinical passion is Inflammatory Bowel Disease and she spends much of her time educating, treating, and enhancing patient outcomes. Patient advocacy is another strength that she brings to the table, making sure that the patient’s quality of life is addressed. She brings with her a wide range of nursing experience including home health, inpatient telemetry, and critical care and nursing director.

Jordan Mayberry

MPAS, PA-C

Jordan Mayberry completed her master’s in physician assistant studies at UT Southwestern School of Health Professions in 2012. She completed the AASLD NP/PA Fellowship in 2013. She has been practicing hepatology in a large academic setting for over 12 years. She enjoys mentoring new APPs and serves as a lecturer and preceptor for the UT Southwestern Physician Assistant program and was awarded Outstanding Educator Award in 2023. She has given plenary talks at The Liver Meeting, Digestive Disease Week and GHAPP national and regional meetings. She currently serves at the vice chair for the Associates committee for AASLD.

Carla Molliner

PA-C

Carla M. Molliner, PA-C, is a seasoned physician assistant specializing in hepatology at the University of Miami Health System. With over two decades of clinical experience, she provides expert care in liver diseases and transplant hepatology. She is fluent in both English and Spanish, enhancing her ability to serve a diverse patient population.​ Carla Molliner earned her master's degree from Nova Southeastern University and completed a fellowship in hepatology at the University of Miami. She is board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Currently, she serves as the APP Team Manager (H) at the University of Miami, where she leads advanced practice providers in hepatology. ​ In addition to her clinical duties, Carla Molliner actively participates in academic and educational initiatives. She was a featured speaker at the 2024 Advances in Hepatobiliary Diseases conference, where she presented on age-appropriate health care maintenance beyond liver disease.

Ann Moore

NP

Ann Moore is a hepatology nurse practitioner and VP of Clinical Services at Arizona Liver Health. She has over 30 years of liver disease and liver transplant management experience and is recognized nationally for her liver disease expertise. In addition to her clinical practice, she serves as Principal Investigator for multiple clinical trials in MASH and other liver diseases. Throughout her career, Ann has worked to expand access to liver disease care throughout the state of Arizona, running numerous outreach clinics in rural locations.

April Morris

FNP

April Morris, FNP received a bachelor of science in biology and nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia. She went on to complete a master’s degree in nursing at VCU and became a board-certified family nurse practitioner in 2006. Initially, April Morris worked in Hepatology for many years with extensive experience in evaluating and managing patients with various acute and chronic liver diseases and conditions, including complications related to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). She was also a sub-investigator for many liver-related clinical trials including studies conducted to develop better oral medications for chronic hepatitis C, NASH and PBC. She served on the Executive Board of Gastroenterology & Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers, or GHAPP, between 2017-2024. In 2022, she took an Endocrinology NP position at Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia with a focus on diabetes health and lipid management.

Janet Gripshover

DNP, MBA

Janet Gripshover, DNP, MBA, AF-AASLD, is a highly experienced Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Manager for Cedars-Sinai’s Liver Transplant Program in Los Angeles. With over 15 years of clinical and leadership expertise in hepatology, Dr. Gripshover is recognized for her commitment to advancing the role of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) in liver care. She has led numerous initiatives to foster APP education and collaboration, including founding the APP HCV Consortium in Baltimore, MD, and creating the GI APP Grand Rounds series at Geisinger Wyoming Valley in Wilkes-Barre, PA. In addition to speaking at national conferences, Dr. Gripshover has developed and delivered a wide range of educational and professional development seminars for non-physician providers across the country. An advocate for patient-centered innovation, she also founded and moderated the first hospital-sponsored Facebook support group for liver transplant recipients — a project that earned her the New Media Award for Healthcare from the Baltimore Business Journal and national recognition. Dr. Gripshover is an active member of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), where she has served on the Hepatology Associates Committee and the Women’s Initiatives Committee, helping launch the AASLD Women’s Leadership Program. She currently serves as Vice Chair of AASLD’s Hepatology Associates Special Interest Group and is also a member of the Hepatology Associates Committee for the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

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Milly Ng

FNP, MPH

Miu Lai "Milly" Ng FNP-BC, MPH is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner specializing in hepatology at Tufts Medical Center, with 8 years of experience in managing patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), including the lean MASH population. Passionate about improving liver health within the Asian population, Miu Lai is actively engaged in community outreach and education. Their clinical expertise includes the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists and liver-targeted medications to optimize treatment outcomes. In addition to clinical practice, Miu Lai serves as a consultant for Pharmaceuticals and contributes expertise to multiple advisory boards and podcasts, advocating for advancements in hepatology care.

Michelle Barnett

PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA

Michelle Barnett is a highly experienced physician assistant specializing in gastroenterology at Peak Gastroenterology Associates in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With over 30 years in the GI and liver communities, she has held leadership roles, including serving as President of the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA) and receiving CAPA's Physician Assistant of the Year award. A graduate of Wichita State University and the University of Nebraska, Michelle has been recognized with the DFAAPA distinction and honors such as the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation's IBD internship and the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders Ally Award. Passionate about holistic care, she incorporates lifestyle strategies like nutrition, yoga, and meditation into her practice. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys hiking, musical theater, and supporting her favorite Colorado sports teams.

Erin Parkinson

MS, SPRN, FNP-C

Erin Parkinson has been a board-certified family nurse practitioner since 2007 and has been practicing in Transplant and Non-transplant Hepatology with the Tampa General Medical Group since 2011. She is the Lead Advanced Practice Provider for the Hepatology program. She has presented at national and regional meetings and is the author of multiple abstracts and poster presentations. She serves as a sub investigator for multiple clinical trials within hepatology and conducts her own research surrounding APP led practice initiatives and hepatitis C. She is a member of the AASLD annual meeting education committee and was a mentor for the ELAPP program with AASLD. She resides in St. Petersburg Florida with her husband and two sons.

Christina Hanson

FNP-C

Christina Hanson is a nurse practitioner in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at South Denver GI, with nearly 20 years of clinical practice. She is a course director and board of trustee for GHAPP. An active researcher with extensive leadership and teaching experience, she is a champion of evidence-based practice, data-driven care delivery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and quality patient care. Christina is committed to amplifying professional development, growth, and contributions of advanced practice.

Summer Collier

MSN, FNP-BC

Summer Collier is a board-certified family nurse practitioner specializing in hepatology at UC San Diego Health. She provides comprehensive care for patients with chronic liver diseases, including viral hepatitis B and C, autoimmune liver diseases, and alcohol-associated liver disease. Summer earned her Master of Science in Nursing and holds certifications as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and HIV Specialist (AAHIVS). She is actively involved in advancing liver health through her clinical practice and community initiatives. Committed to patient-centered care, Summer integrates her clinical expertise with a compassionate approach, aiming to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by liver diseases.

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MASLD/MASH Learning Center

Latest News & Blogs

Deep sequencing-derived Metagenome Assembled Genomes from the gut microbiome of liver transplant patients

Recurrence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) after liver transplantation (LT) is a continuing concern. The role of gut microbiome dysbiosis in MASLD initiation and progression has been well established. However, there is a lack of comprehensive gut microbiome shotgun sequence data for patients experiencing MASLD recurrence after LT. In this data descriptor, we describe a dataset of deep metagenomic sequences of a well-defined LT recipient population....

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Treatment of rapid recurrence of severe steatosis with combined GLP-1 agonist and growth hormone therapy in a pediatric patient transplanted for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis cirrhosis in the setting of hypopituitarism

The association between hypopituitarism and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasingly recognized, although data about therapies targeting recurrence post-transplant is limited. An 8-year-old with hypopituitarism-associated MASLD underwent a liver transplant due to rapid progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Hepatosteatosis recurred within weeks. Her therapeutic plan included a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist (GLP-1a) and...

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Ubiquitination of TFEB increased intestinal permeability to aggravate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis

CONCLUSIONS: The ubiquitination of TFEB plays a pivotal role in increasing intestinal permeability and promoting the progression of MASH by inhibiting autophagy. Intestinal TFEB may represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of MASH.

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Pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor improves insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in patients with T2D and MASLD

CONCLUSIONS: Lanifibranor significantly improves hepatic, muscle and adipose tissue insulin resistance. Lanifibranor treatment was safe and effective in reducing hepatic steatosis and cardiometabolic risk factors associated with metabolic dysfunction.

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Estimated Burden of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in US Adults, 2020 to 2050

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this decision analytical modeling study, the model forecast a substantial increase in clinical burden of MASLD over the next 3 decades in the absence of effective treatments. These results suggest that health systems should plan for large increases in the number of HCC cases and in the need for LT.

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Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, characterized by hepatic steatosis with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor. Patients with MASLD are at increased risk for the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Within this review article, we aimed to provide an update on the pathophysiology of MASLD, its interplay with cardiovascular disease, and current treatment strategies.

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