Lisa Richards
MSN, FNP-BC, AF-AASLD
Introduction
Location : San Diego, CA, USA
Specialty : MASLD
BIO
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.
Highlighted Events
GHAPP Regional
May 15 @ 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm PST
Speakers: Sherona Bau, MSN, ACNP, CNS UCLA Health Los Angeles, CA Jill Olmstead, DNP, NP-C, FAANP Providence Healthcare Fullerton, C..
GHAPP Regional
May 29 @ 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm MST
Speakers: Christina Hanson, FNP-C South Denver Gastroenterology Michelle Barnett, PA Peak Gastroenterology..
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..
Pacific Northwest GI & Liver Update
October 03 @ 12:00 pm - October 04 @ 12:00 pm PST
The 2025 Pacific Northwest GI and Liver Conference will deliver focused educational updates highlighting clinically relevant advances in the managemen..
MASLD-MASH Content Featuring Lisa
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.
Watch Now
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.
Watch Now
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.
Watch Now
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.
Watch Now
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.
Watch Now
A Phase 3, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Resmetirom in MASH with Liver Fibrosis
Thank you to Madrigal for sponsoring this Journal Club Video Module! In this GHAPP Journal Club review, Lisa Richards, a board-certified family nurse practitioner specializing in hepatology at UC San Diego Health, presents pivotal research from a February 2024 New England Journal of Medicine publication. The phase 3 randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of Resmetirom, the first FDA-approved therapy for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis. Lisa discusses key findings from the study, including improvements in liver fibrosis and NASH resolution in patients treated with Resmetirom compared to placebo. Join her for an in-depth look at this groundbreaking therapy and its impact on patient care.
Watch Now
MASH Bootcamp Q&A
In this interactive Q&A session, a panel of liver disease experts discusses key challenges in diagnosing and treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) using non-invasive testing and the latest therapeutic advancements. The panel explores the role of FibroScan, ELF scores, and cardiometabolic risk factors in diagnosing fibrosis, especially in patients with limited access to MRI or VCTE-based assessments. They also discuss how serologic testing can be a viable alternative in resource-limited settings and when a liver biopsy may not be necessary for diagnosis. The discussion highlights the FDA approval criteria for Resmetirom, its limitations in F4 patients, and practical strategies for determining treatment eligibility. The experts address real-world challenges, including diagnosing MASH in rural areas, evaluating confounding factors in fibrosis assessment, and ensuring comprehensive liver disease workups to rule out autoimmune conditions.
Watch Now
Identifying & Diagnosing MASH Patients with Non-Invasive Tests
In this informative session, Lisa Richards, NP, a hepatology expert from UC San Diego Healthcare, explores how non-invasive tests (NITs) can effectively diagnose metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and fibrosis without the need for a liver biopsy. She discusses the role of imaging and blood-based biomarkers, such as FibroScan, MRE, ELF, and FIB-4, in identifying patients with stage 2 or higher liver fibrosis and highlights their clinical applications in real-world settings. Lisa walks through a detailed case study, demonstrating how to interpret non-invasive test results, assess risk stratification, and make confident diagnostic decisions using combined NITs like FAST, MEFIB, and MAST scores. She also addresses key limitations of FibroScan and MRI elastography, including BMI constraints, insurance coverage challenges, and patient-specific factors like claustrophobia. Additionally, Lisa introduces clinical care pathways from leading hepatology organizations, explaining how primary care providers and specialists can collaborate to monitor and manage at-risk MASH patients. She emphasizes that, with modern non-invasive tools, biopsies are no longer necessary for diagnosing most MASH patients, enabling earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes.
Watch Now