Discover Regional Thought Leaders
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 is a Board Certified Adult Advanced Practice Nurse and Lead APP at Oshi Health, a digital digestive health practice and IBD APP at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants in San Antonio, Texas. She strives to improve the lives of patients with chronic gastrointestinal conditions through a multidisciplinary approach. She has worked in various roles as a GI advanced practice provider, including inpatient, outpatient clinic, and telehealth since 2015. Mrs. Morrison is currently an active member of the American College of Gastroenterology where she is serving on the Editorial Board. She is also a member of several GI societies, including TSGE, AGA, ASGE, and GHAPP. Christie was recently honored with the ACG APP Clinical Excellence Award for community practice. She collaborates with industry partners and GI colleagues to enhance education and engagement for APPs working in Gastroenterology. She strives to improve the quality of life and better patient outcomes in all chronic GI conditions and believes that providing resources to her peers through education can help her achieve this goal.
Jill Olmstead
DNP, ANP-BC
Jill Olmstead, DNP, ANP-BC, 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.
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.
Michelle Barnett
PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA
Michelle Barnett is a highly experienced physician assistant specializing in patient-focused and evidence-based hepatology at Peak Gastroenterology Associates in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The most rewarding part of her position includes educating patients and collaborating with other GI advanced practice providers to enhance care for the growing MASLD/MASH population. She is now a subinvestigtor for hepatology clinical trials with Peak in Colorado Springs. 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. She is a national speaker and has given lectures for the AAPA, GHAPP and AANP. 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, travel, musical theater, and supporting her favorite Colorado sports teams.
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.
Allysa Saggese
NP
Allysa Saggese is a graduate of Columbia University School of Nursing with a Master's Degree in Nursing. She is board certified with the ANCC as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. She has worked in Hepatology, Liver Transplantation and Hepatology Research at Weill Cornell Medicine since 2018. Her main interests include Steatotic Liver Disease, Primary Biliary Cholangitis and cirrhotic liver disease, as well as the spectrum of research within hepatology.