Features
Over 300 people attended Spring Conference
The Healthy Villi Spring Conference took place on Sunday, April 28, at the Sheraton Four Points in Norwood, MA. Over 300 people attended the conference.
Dr. Ciarán Kelly (pictured at left), founder and chair of the Beth Israel Deaconess Celiac Center, was the keynote speaker, and he discussed "What's New in Sprue?" You may view the slides from Dr. Kelly's talk here.
A lovely gluten-free buffet lunch was served. Click here for the lunch recipes.
Attendees were able to participate in two workshops from an interesting selection:
Newly Diagnosed Workshop: Living Well on a Gluten-Free Diet, taught by Bruce Homstead, RD and Laurie Higgins, RD
Reasons for Continued Symptoms in Celiac Disease and Updates on Food Labeling Laws, taught by Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN and Pam Cureton, RD, LDN. Slides from Melinda and Pam's presentation can be downloaded here.
Eat Well Gluten-Free: Good Gluten-Free Food for Kids and Families, taught by Savory Living Chef Sue Levy
Happy, Healthy and Gluten-Free: Innovative Ways to Replace Gluten in Your Diet, taught by Dr. Claudia Pillow and Chef Annalise Roberts. Slides from this presentation can be viewed here. Email Claudia with any questions about these slides.
Many vendors offered products for sampling and purchasing at the Spring Conference.
Attendees also had the opportunity to ask Dr. Dascha Weir from Boston Children's Hospital and Dr. Rohini VanGa from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center any questions.
For important details about the completely revised Healthy Villi meeting schedule for 2013, please see the entire story.
Dr. Alessio Fasano Has Moved to Boston, Strengthening Region's Celiac Research
The Center for Celiac Research (CFCR) moved to Mass General Hospital in Boston in January 2013. The CFCR will also partner with the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Alessio Fasano (pictured at left) will continue to serve as Director of the CRCF. He will become the new Chief of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition and Director of the Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center. Dr. Fasano will see both pediatric and adult patients.
The CFCR has been providing care for patients and conducting research on celiac disease and gluten-related disorders at the University of Maryland in Baltimore for 20 years. A spokesperson said, "We believe the CRCR's move will allow us to accelerate our goal of finding an alternative treatment/cure for celiac disease and gluten-related disorders as we work in partnership with the Celiac Disease Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center."
For more information about the CFCR and their move to Boston, visit their website.
Beth Israel Deaconess Launches Comprehensive Website On Nutritional Management of Celiac Disease
The Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston has announced the availability of CeliacNow.org , a free, comprehensive website for the nutritional management of celiac disease.
Medical management topics will be added shortly.
The website was written by expert BIDMC Celiac Center clinicians and their colleagues, and edited by expert gastroenterologists and dietitians.
Three levels of information are provided for each topic – from very basic to more advanced – to appeal to a variety of readers, including clinicians.
The website content includes “Key Points,” “Take-Home Messages,” graphics, handouts, quizzes, a glossary and other resources.
It is also meant for those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Going Gluten-Free Is Only the First Step: Advice From a Nutritionist Who Knows
Sticking to the gluten-free diet is only the first step toward eating properly for people with celiac disease, says dietitian and nutritionist Melinda Dennis. In an interview, Melinda advises that whole grains and high-fiber foods are crucial to eating well, and that vitamin and mineral supplements also are likely to be part of a well-rounded regime. Melinda knows of what she speaks: besides her professional training, she herself has celiac disease.(Click for full story.)
Healthy Villi Accepts Online Payment
The next time you renew your Healthy Villi membership, sign up for a membership meeting, or make a donation, you will be able to do so online. That's because The Healthy Villi web site is on a new software platform that includes an electronic payment option. Use of the new capability is strictly optional. The new capability is intended for people who prefer to conduct business online, without inconveniencing anyone who prefers a more-traditional way of doing business, said Lee Graham, president of The Healthy Villi. (Click for full story.)
