CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
July 29th-31st 2026
PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR LIVE, IN PERSON CONFERENCE
If you are interested in what the FOOD conference has to offer, check out our 2026 lineup below.
WEDNESDAY, July 29th, 2026
12:30 pm Registration / Attendee Check In
1:00-1:15 pm Welcome and Introduction
Dr. William Chey, MD, FACG, AGAF, FACP, RFF
Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at University of Michigan
1:15-1:40 pm What’s New in IBS? An Introduction to the Rome V Criteria
Dr. William Chey
University of Michigan
1:40-2:05 pm Is IBS a Microbiome-Based Disorder? Current Evidence and Clinical Implications
Dr. Prashant Singh
University of Michigan
2:05-2:45 pm FODMAPs with Purpose: Tailoring Less Restrictive Approaches to Enhance Quality of Life in IBS
Kate Scarlata MPH, RDN
For a Digestive Peace of Mind
2:45-3:15 pm Panel
3:15-3:45 pm Coffee Break & Exhibit Hall
3:45-4:10 pm Evolving Therapies in IBD: A Clinical Update
Dr. Shrinivas Bishu
University of Michigan
4:10-4:45 pm Dietary Approaches in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Comparing Options, Evidence, and Clinical Considerations
Stacey Collins MA, RDN, CSDH
UC Health
4:45-5:00 pm Breaking News: Use of Low Sulfur Diet in IBD
Dr. Allen Lee
University of Michigan
5:00-5:30 pm Panel
5:30-7:30 pm Reception
THURSDAY, July 30th, 2026
7:45-8:30 am Breakfast and Networking
8:30-9:00 am Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Evidence-Based Updates for Everyday Practice
Dr. Joy Chang
University of Michigan
9:00-9:30 am EoE Nutrition Therapy: Balancing Evidence, Adequacy, and Quality of Life
Amanda Lynett MS, RDN
University of Michigan
9:30-10:00 am Panel
10:00 am - 10:30 am Coffee Break & Exhibit Hall
10:30-11:00 am Refractory Chronic Constipation in Practice
Dr. Kyle Staller
Mass General
11:00-11:30 am Optimizing Diet Therapy for Chronic Constipation: Emerging Insights and Advancements Post-British Guidelines
Megan Villarreal MS, RDN
University of Michigan
11:30-12:00 pm Panel
12:00-1:00 pm Lunch
1:00-1:35 pm Hormonal Shifts: What ‘Balancing’ Really Means for Gut Health and How to Support Women Through Key Transitions
Nancee Jaffe MS, RDN, CSDH
UCLA
Nancee Jaffe & Associates Nutrition Services
1:35-1:45 pm Q&A
1:45-2:45 pm Coffee Break & Exhibit Hall Bingo
2:45-3:45 pm Collaborative Session: Eating Disorders in GI: Ethical Care, Screening, and Flexible Nutrition in an Interdisciplinary Model
2:45-3:05 pm Why GI Clinicians Must Address Eating Disorders in GI Care
Dr. Jordan Shapiro
GI Gentle
3:05-3:25 pm Flexible, Evidence-Based Nutrition Across the GI Population- Without Feeding the Eating Disorder
Emily Arkin MS, RDN, LD
RD Emily and Team
3:25-3:45 pm How to Screen, How to Talk About It: Eating Disorders and ARFID in GI Settings
Dr. Helen Burton-Murray
Mass General
3:45-4:30 pm Case Study and Panel
4:30 pm Wrap Up
FRIDAY, July 31st, 2026
7:45-8:45 am Breakfast and Networking: Resilience Building for GI Nutrition Providers: Tools and Techniques
Small roundtable table discussions with experts focusing on practical methods and evidence-based techniques for building personal resilience and managing stress in a fast-paced, high demand world.
8:45-9:15 am The Vagus Nerve: A Deep Dive into Autonomic Balance, Gut-Brain Signaling, and Emerging Therapies
Dr. Lin Chang
UCLA
9:15-9:45 am Beyond the Diet Prescription: Integrating CAM into GI Medical Nutrition Therapy
Natalie Manitius MPH, RDN
Salvo Health
9:45-10:15 am Panel
10:15-11:00 am Coffee Break& Exhibit Hall
11:00-11:40 am Culture Counts: Building Inclusive GI Care for Diverse Communities
Therezia Alchoufete, MS, RD, CSDH, LDN
UPMC IBD Center
11:40-12:00 pm Q & A
12:00-12:15 pm Course Wrap Up
Scholarship and Award Announcements
12:15 pm Course Adjourns
