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Global Liver Institute

2025 Liver Health Symposium Program

GLOBAL LIVER INSTITUTE

2025 Liver Health Symposium Program

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About the Symposium

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Registration

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Venue

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Program

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CME Credits

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Contact

Icon Overview Whitebg1

About the Symposium

Patient Story White Icon

Registration

Global Liver Map Red Icon

Venue

Paper Icon

Program

Resources Red Icon

CME Credits

Call To Action Red Icon

Contact

Join us this September in Minneapolis, MN, for the Liver Health Symposium—a one-day, in-person program bringing together patients, caregivers, providers, and advocates to learn more about liver health.

With two tracks—one for the community and one for providers—this program offers education and powerful tools to prevent, detect, and treat liver disease. Whether you’re navigating liver health or leading care, the symposium connects you to the latest knowledge and a passionate community ready to make a difference.

Click on the agendas to see what’s in store!

Patient and Community Track Agenda
Provider Track Agenda (CME Credits)

Course Directors

Dr. Fonkoua's Headshot

Lionel A. Kankeu Fonkoua, MD

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Kristin Hatcher Headshot

Kristin Hatcher, MsED

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Sharon Jaycox Headshot

Sharon Jaycox, PhD

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Screenshot 2025 06 27 At 10.59.45 AM

Sarah Manes, MS, CCLS

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Jesse Powell Headshot

Jesse Powell, PA-C

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Faculty

Faculty

Elizabeth Aby Headshot

Elizabeth Aby, MD

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Chimaobi Anugwom Headshot

Chimaobi M. Anugwom, MBBS

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Marisa Baker Headshot

Marisa Baker, PA-C, MPAS

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Grete Goetz Headshot

Grete Goetz, PA-C, RD

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Genny Grilli Headshot

Genny Grilli, MPH

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Natalie Ikeman PAC Headshot

Natalie Ikeman, MPAS, PA-C

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Meram Ece Headshot

Ece Meram, MD

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Dr. Starlinger Headshot

Patrick P. Starlinger, MD, PhD

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Dr. Strong Headshot

Cyneetha Strong, MD, FAAFP

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Nguyen Tran Headshot

Nguyen H. Tran, MD, MPH

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Dr. Verma's Headshot

Rajanshu Verma, MD

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Patient Advocates

Melissa Buffalo Headshot

Melissa Buffalo, MS

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Bio Picture McLellan (1)

Tiffany McLellan

PBC Patient Advocate

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Dr. Fonkoua's Headshot

Lionel A. Kankeu Fonkoua, M.D.

Dr. Lionel A. Kankeu Fonkoua is an Assistant Professor of Oncology and Senior Associate Consultant within the Department of Medical Oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Originally from Cameroon (Central Africa), he completed his medical training (Medical School and Internal Medicine Residency) at Penn State University College of Medicine/ Penn State Hershey Medical Center, prior to joining Mayo Clinic in July 2018 for subspecialty training in Hematology/Oncology.  He joined the Faculty in July 2021 and specializes in the treatment of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Cancers, with a research focus on the development of novel combinatorial immunotherapeutic strategies. In addition to his clinical and research activities, Dr. Kankeu Fonkoua is also committed to improving equitable access to care for ALL cancer patients, including the underserved and at-risk populations.

Screenshot 2025 06 27 At 10.59.45 AM

Sarah Manes, MS, CCLS

Liver Cancers Program Director at Global Liver Institute

Sarah Manes, MS, CCLS, is the Liver Cancers Program Director at Global Liver Institute. She brings 20 years of experience serving the oncology nonprofit community, with a particular focus on oncology program development, health equity, patient advocacy, and multidisciplinary team training.

Sarah recently served as President of the Minnesota Cancer Alliance, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health. She is also a patient advocacy reviewer on the NCI HCC SPORE teams at both Mayo Clinic and MD Anderson, and serves as a Community Advisory Board Member for the 10,000 Families Study.

Previously, Sarah was Vice President of the Angel Foundation in Minnesota and Executive Director at Stewart’s Cancer Wellness Center in Ohio. She lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her wife and two sons.

Jesse Powell Headshot

Jesse Powell, PA-C

Jesse Powell, PA-C, is the Director of the Minnesota Community Collaboration on Viral Hepatitis ECHO and the Medical Director of the Gastroenterology and Liver Clinic at Hennepin Healthcare. He also serves as adjunct faculty in the Physician Assistant programs at St. Catherine University and University of Wisconsin – Madison. He earned his Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies at Augsburg College in 2008. Jesse has been treating hepatitis C (HCV) and chronic liver disease for over 15 years and is dedicated to improving the viral hepatitis landscape in Minnesota through education, research, harm reduction, and by increasing access to person-centered HCV care for all Minnesotans - especially those who have been historically marginalized by healthcare systems. Jesse has presented his work at the annual Many Faces of Community Health Conference, the Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates Spring CME Conference, and the Minnesota Statewide Conference on HIV. He has multiple publications focused on health equity and viral hepatitis and has been a sub-investigator on numerous clinical trials resulting in the development of direct-acting antiviral therapeutic agents to cure hepatitis C. Jesse currently serves on the Minnesota Department of Health Viral Hepatitis Elimination Coalition and has been honored as the 2023 Hennepin Healthcare Advanced Practice Clinician of the Year and the 2023 St. Catherine University PA Program Preceptor of the Year.

Screenshot 2025 06 27 At 10.59.45 AM

Sarah Manes, MS, CCLS

Liver Cancers Program Director at Global Liver Institute

Sarah Manes, MS, CCLS, is the Liver Cancers Program Director at Global Liver Institute. She brings 20 years of experience serving the oncology nonprofit community, with a particular focus on oncology program development, health equity, patient advocacy, and multidisciplinary team training.

Sarah recently served as President of the Minnesota Cancer Alliance, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health. She is also a patient advocacy reviewer on the NCI HCC SPORE teams at both Mayo Clinic and MD Anderson, and serves as a Community Advisory Board Member for the 10,000 Families Study.

Previously, Sarah was Vice President of the Angel Foundation in Minnesota and Executive Director at Stewart’s Cancer Wellness Center in Ohio. She lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her wife and two sons.

Jesse Powell Headshot

Jesse Powell, PA-C

Jesse Powell, PA-C, is the Director of the Minnesota Community Collaboration on Viral Hepatitis ECHO and the Medical Director of the Gastroenterology and Liver Clinic at Hennepin Healthcare. He also serves as adjunct faculty in the Physician Assistant programs at St. Catherine University and University of Wisconsin – Madison. He earned his Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies at Augsburg College in 2008. Jesse has been treating hepatitis C (HCV) and chronic liver disease for over 15 years and is dedicated to improving the viral hepatitis landscape in Minnesota through education, research, harm reduction, and by increasing access to person-centered HCV care for all Minnesotans - especially those who have been historically marginalized by healthcare systems. Jesse has presented his work at the annual Many Faces of Community Health Conference, the Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates Spring CME Conference, and the Minnesota Statewide Conference on HIV. He has multiple publications focused on health equity and viral hepatitis and has been a sub-investigator on numerous clinical trials resulting in the development of direct-acting antiviral therapeutic agents to cure hepatitis C. Jesse currently serves on the Minnesota Department of Health Viral Hepatitis Elimination Coalition and has been honored as the 2023 Hennepin Healthcare Advanced Practice Clinician of the Year and the 2023 St. Catherine University PA Program Preceptor of the Year.

Elizabeth Aby Headshot

Elizabeth Aby, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

University of Minnesota

Dr. Elizabeth Aby is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and chief resident year at UCLA. Following internal medicine training, she completed her general gastroenterology and an additional year of transplant hepatology training at the University of Minnesota. Her clinical and research interests include liver cancer, quality of care in chronic liver disease and liver transplantation, cost of care, and the care of individuals with substance use disorder in the setting of liver disease.

Chimaobi Anugwom Headshot

Chimaobi M. Anugwom, MBBS

Staff Physician, HealthPartners Digestive Care 

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition , University of Minnesota

Chimaobi completed medical school and Internship in Lagos Nigeria, where he also practiced as a general physician. He moved to the United States in 2013, for his Internal Medicine residency, Gastroenterology fellowship and Transplant Hepatology fellowship at the University of Minnesota. He is currently a staff physician with HealthPartners Digestive Care; and is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. In addition to his clinical duties, his research focuses on hepatocellular carcinoma, viral hepatitis and advanced chronic liver disease.

Marisa Baker Headshot

Marisa Baker, PA-C, MPAS

Marisa I Baker is a certified physician assistant at Hennepin County Medical Center's Gastroenterology Division in downtown Minneapolis, MN.  She cares for patients with liver disease, as well as manages care for general GI concerns.  Marisa precepts medical providers and PA students from throughout the Upper Midwest and has been named a 2024 Emerging Liver APP by the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease. 

Grete Goetz Headshot

Grete Goetz, PA-C, RD

Grete Goetz, PA-C, RD is a physician assistant  at the M Health Fairview Hepatology Clinic evaluating and treating individuals with liver disease. She completed her dietetic internship at Mayo Clinic and earned a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Prior to physician assistant training, she worked as a dietitian in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. She worked in both an outpatient setting at a Diabetes Self-Management Clinic as well as inpatient setting providing medical nutrition therapy to patients with a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions (renal disease, gastrointestinal cancers, cardiovascular and those requiring enteral or parenteral nutrition). She brings a unique perspective to her clinical practice, combining her expertise in both medical management and nutrition to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care. She is passionate about integrating her background in diet and nutrition into the management of liver disease, with a strong commitment to addressing the whole person—not just the diagnosis. Her clinical interests include Viral Hepatitis B and C, metabolic associated fatty liver disease, cirrhosis management and a growing interest in health informatics and quality improvement.

Genny Grilli Headshot

Genny Grilli, MPH

Hepatitis Unit Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Health

Genny Grilli, MPH, is the Hepatitis Unit Supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Health. She has been working in viral hepatitis for over 13 years. She began her full-time public health career in perinatal hepatitis B prevention and now oversees surveillance and prevention of all forms of viral hepatitis.

Natalie Ikeman PAC Headshot

Natalie Ikeman, MPAS, PA-C

Obesity Medicine Specialist

Minnesota Obesity Society, President

Natalie is a board certified Physician Assistant with a certificate of Advanced Obesity Education from the Obesity Medicine Association. She worked as a Primary Care Provider for nearly a decade at Hennepin Healthcare, where she was the Lead Advanced Practice Provider for multiple clinics and founded and developed the first weight management clinic embedded within the Family Medicine Department. She now practices as an Obesity Medicine Specialist at Bhatti Weight Loss Center where she provides medical weight management alongside her bariatric surgery colleagues. She is the founder and president of the Minnesota Obesity Society, whose mission is to educate health care providers across Minnesota about evidence-based obesity care. She is an active member of the national Obesity Medicine Association, has done many obesity-related presentations to both students and healthcare providers across the Midwest and is a consultant with multiple industry partners.

Meram Ece Headshot

Ece Meram, MD

Ece Meram, MD is an interventional radiologist, who completed her Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology residency training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She then joined the University of Minnesota Interventional Radiology section.

Dr. Meram has been involved in research throughout her career with her main focus in developing novel quantitative angiographic imaging modalities, for which she received a RSNA Resident Research grant in 2020. She was also awarded a RSNA Resident Research award in 2023. Her current clinical interests include biliary interventions, interventional oncology, deep vein and portal vein recanalization, and women's interventions.

Dr. Starlinger Headshot

Patrick P. Starlinger, MD, PhD

Associate Professor of Surgery
Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreas Surgery

Dr. Patrick P. Starlinger is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  He completed his general surgery residency in 2017 from Medical University of Vienna (Austria).  His training continued with a fellowship in Visceral Surgery in Bern Switzerland and Vascular as well as Transplant Surgery in Vienna.  

He completed the Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery Fellowship Program at Mayo Clinic in 2021 and has been a staff consultant in the Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery (Mayo Clinic) since 2022.

Dr. Starlinger specializes in complex surgical procedures of the liver, bile duct and the pancreas as well as the multidisciplinary treatment of pathologies affecting these organs. His additional colorectal, transplant and vascular surgery training are a unique prerequisite for his practice. He is also involved with living donor liver transplantations.  His continued dedication to research allows him to deliver state of the art patient care at the current state of knowledge.

Dr. Starlinger also holds the position of program director for the International Hepatobiliary & Pancreas Surgery fellowship as well as associate program director for the Hepatobiliary & Pancreas Surgery fellowship. 

Dr. Strong Headshot

Cyneetha Strong, MD, FAAFP

Assistant Professor

Florida State University College of Medicine

Co-Medical Director

FSU Primary Health

Dr. Strong joined the faculty of Florida State University College of Medicine in September 2019.  She spends most of her time in clinic practice and teaching at FSU Primary Health.

Dr. Strong moved to Tallahassee after medical school for her residency at Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program.  After completing her residency, she practiced in her hometown of Quincy, Florida for over seven years.  She then moved her practice to Patients First Appleyard where she was in private practice for over seventeen years.  Throughout her career, Dr. Strong has been involved in medical education.  She has served as a preceptor of first and second-year FSU College of Medicine students since the school’s inception.  She has been a preceptor at Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program since her graduation from the program.   

Dr. Strong has held many leadership roles.  She is a past president of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians and the William J. Gunn Medical Society, a local chapter of the National Medical Association.  She received the Young Leader Award from Florida Academy of Family Physicians in 2000.

In her personal time, Dr. Strong enjoys spending time with her family and traveling the world.

Dr. Verma's Headshot

Rajanshu Verma, MD

Gastroenterologist

Experience

Dr. Verma did his medical school at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, Internal medicine residency from Michigan State University, and Transplant Hepatology and Gastroenterology fellowship from the University of Tennessee. He joined MNGI in 2022

Special Interests

Liver disease

General gastroenterology

Education and Training

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

Internal medicine residency from Michigan State University

Transplant Hepatology and Gastroenterology fellowship from the University of Tennessee

Melissa Buffalo Headshot

Melissa Buffalo, MS

(Meskwaki & Dakota)

Chief Executive Officer 

American Indian Cancer Foundation

Melissa Buffalo, a citizen of the Meskwaki Nation, has nearly 20 years of experience advancing public health and equity for Native communities. As CEO of the American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF), she leads efforts to reduce cancer disparities and improve outcomes for Tribal Nations and Native communities nationwide. Under her leadership, AICAF has expanded culturally tailored cancer prevention programs, strengthened tribal partnerships, and raised national awareness of Indigenous health inequities. Melissa’s advocacy extends through her service on various boards and committees, where she amplifies Indigenous voices and champions better standards of care.

Bio Picture McLellan (1)

Tiffany McLellan

Payroll Manager & HR Manager, Mind Shift
Support Group Leader, MN PBC Warriors | Moderator, PBCers Private Patient Support Group

Tiffany McLellan brings a unique blend of operational excellence and compassionate leadership to her roles in payroll, human resources, and patient advocacy. As the Payroll Manager and HR Manager at Mind Shift, Tiffany draws from her diverse background in non-profits, education, accounting, and entrepreneurship to streamline systems and support organizational growth. Known for her detail-oriented approach, regulatory knowledge, and strong technical skills, she fosters efficiency and a positive workplace culture.

Outside of work, Tiffany is a passionate advocate for those living with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). She leads the Minnesota PBC Warriors Support Group and serves as a moderator for the international PBCers private patient support group providing community, education, and empowerment to patients and caregivers.

An avid learner and lifelong volunteer, Tiffany enjoys exploring the outdoors, reading, and traveling. She lives by the words of Peter Drucker: “Learning is a lifelong process” a principle that continues to guide both her professional and personal journey.