Melissa Franco
PA-C, MMS
Introduction
Location : Miami, FL, USA
Specialty : MASLD
BIO
Melissa Franco is a Physician Associate at the University of Miami- specializing in the management of patients with liver diseases, ranging from acute hepatitis to complex chronic conditions such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. With a strong focus on MASH, autoimmune hepatitis, PBC, viral hepatitides, and cirrhosis- Melissa is dedicated to delivering compassionate, comprehensive care tailored to each patient's unique needs. She is deeply committed to patient education, and strives to empower individuals to take an active role in their health journey, fostering collaboration, and confidence at every stage of care.
Highlighted Events
GHAPP Regional
June 19 @ 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm EST
Speakers: Kimberly Orleck, PA Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates Atlanta, GA Punam Punja, PA-C Emory Healthcare Atlanta, GA..
GHAPP Eighth Annual Conference
September 04 @ 12:00 pm - September 06 @ 12:00 pm MDT
About the 2025 GHAPP Conference The GHAPP conference is the only conference specifically designed by advanced practice providers (APPs) for the pur..
4th Annual GI & Liver Summit
September 12 @ 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm CST
The GI and Liver Summit will deliver focused, educational updates highlighting clinically relevant advances in the management of patients with chr..
GHAPP Regional
October 09 @ 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm EST
Speakers: TBD..
GHAPP Regional
November 13 @ 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm CST
Speakers: TBD Location: TBD..
MASLD-MASH Content Featuring Melissa
Management of Life Style Modification
This video focuses on the comprehensive management of patients with metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), emphasizing lifestyle modifications, dietary adjustments, and exercise strategies. Key topics include the importance of addressing risk factors like diet, exercise habits, and alcohol intake, as well as referrals to medically supervised weight loss clinics or bariatric surgery for advanced cases. The speaker highlights the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, intermittent fasting, and avoiding ultra-processed foods while discussing the role of resistance training to combat sarcopenia and maintain muscle mass. Practical advice and tailored recommendations ensure a holistic approach to managing MASH and improving patient outcomes.
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Third Step of Life Style Management
This video provides a comprehensive overview of emerging pharmacologic treatments for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and their tailored applications based on patient profiles. Topics include FDA-approved therapies, drugs in advanced clinical trials (such as semaglutide and lanifibranor), and the potential for combination treatments targeting both steatohepatitis and fibrosis. The speaker emphasizes the importance of patient-specific approaches considering metabolic profiles, obesity, and diabetes status, alongside lifestyle interventions. Additionally, the video discusses the evolving interdisciplinary care model and highlights the exciting progress in non-invasive testing and treatment advancements for F2-F3 fibrosis.
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Approved Medication for MASH/NASH
This video provides detailed guidance on selecting and monitoring patients for emerging therapies targeting advanced fibrosis (F2-F3) in NASH. Key topics include contraindications for patients with cirrhosis, considerations for concomitant medications, and dose adjustments for statins. The video outlines ideal candidates based on specific thresholds for VCTE, MRE, ELF scores, and other non-invasive tests while emphasizing the importance of ruling out portal hypertension and other liver diseases. It also reviews a stepwise monitoring approach, focusing on tolerability at three months and efficacy assessments at six and twelve months, with an emphasis on histologic and non-invasive test improvements.
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Types of Diet for the Treatment of MASLD
This video explores comprehensive strategies for managing metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), focusing on fibrosis risk stratification, lifestyle modifications, and pharmacologic interventions. Learn about dietary recommendations like the Mediterranean diet, exercise guidelines emphasizing resistance training, and the role of intermittent fasting and processed food avoidance. The video also highlights weight loss targets, diabetes management, and emerging therapies such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and bariatric surgery, all aimed at improving liver health and patient outcomes.
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NITs to Identify High Risk MASH Patients
Explore advancements in non-invasive diagnostics and risk stratification for liver fibrosis and MASH. This video highlights tools like FIB-4, transient elastography, and innovative scoring systems (e.g., FAST and Agile) to identify and predict outcomes for high-risk patients. Learn about serum biomarkers, updated guidelines, and the role of lifestyle interventions alongside targeted therapies for managing metabolic risks and advancing care in hepatology.
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