September

July 11-13, 2024

NO TRAVEL NEEDED

Hybrid Event

GUEST EXPERTS

Patient Education Sessions

LEARN & NETWORK

Exhibit Hall

LEARN & NETWORK

Poster Hall

Attend EOS Connection 2024

Thank you to everyone who joined us for EOS Connection 2024, APFED’s annual patient education conference for eosinophil-associated diseases! The live events of the 2024 conference were Thursday, July 11 - Saturday, July 13 in the Washington, D.C. area.

This hybrid event included live events at the Bethesdan Hotel and select sessions were streamed online for virtual participants.

Recordings of conference sessions will soon be available to watch on-demand through December 2024.

Registration price

  • Virtual attendees: No cost

Schedule

  • Thursday, July 11: Live events + streaming
  • Friday, July 12: Live events + streaming
  • Saturday, July 13: Virtual conference sessions + group social activity

View agenda

What to expect

Everyone who registers for the conference can:

  • Meet and network with patients, families, and other community members
  • Learn about eosinophil-associated diseases and practical strategies from experts
  • Explore new research in our virtual Poster Hall
  • Learn about resources, products, and services in the virtual Exhibit Hall
  • Access session recordings on-demand for six months following the live events

Special Pre Conference Webinar

Is Your EoE Under Control?

July 9, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET

We held a special pre-conference webinar featuring Mirna Chehade, MD, MPH. During this 60-minute webinar, Dr. Chehade shared information about eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), including strategies for treatment and how to evaluate if it is under control.

We thank our EOS Connection 2024 Presenting Education Partners for independently supporting this webinar: Sanofi and Regeneron.

This event is included in your conference registration and will be recorded and shared in the virtual conference environment.

Pre-conference webinar featuring Dr. Chehade

Agenda

Our 22nd annual patient education conference was held in the Washington, DC area. Thursday and Friday featured a combination of live events and streaming, Saturday's conference sessions were all virtual. On Saturday, we also hosted a watch party onsite for attendees wishing to participate, and a group activity for attendees wishing to socialize.

Agenda

time iconJuly 11, 2024 09:45 am

Session 1 (July 11)

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Mary Jo Strobel
APFED

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Ryan Piansky
Patient Advocate

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Wendy Book MD
APFED

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Matthew Kowalik MD
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

HYBRID (Bethesdan C/D)

Welcome

Mary Jo Strobel, APFED


Life with EoE: Findings from a U.S. Survey

Mary Jo Strobel, APFED


Patient Voice & Needs: EGIDs

Moderator: Ryan Piansky


FDA Approaches to Eosinophil Disease

Matthew Kowalik, MD, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)


APFED Remarks & Housekeeping

Wendy Book, MD, APFED

time iconJuly 11, 2024 12:30 pm

Lunch & Learn Session (July 11)

speaker headshot

Ruchi Gupta MD MPH
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

HYBRID (Bethesdan C/D)

Exploring the Intersections of EoE & Food Allergy: Understanding Differences, Similarities, and Overlaps

Session supported by Sanofi and Regeneron.

Lunch will be served buffet style and include allergy-friendly options, with ingredients labeled.

time iconJuly 12, 2024 08:00 am

Session 1 (July 12)

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Dominique Pichard MD MS
NCATS’ Division of Rare Diseases Research Innovation

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Wendy Book MD
APFED

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Jonathan Spergel, MD, PhD
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

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Caitlin Burk, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital for Children

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Amy Klion, MD
NIAID

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Tiina Urv
Rare Disease Clinical Research Network

HYBRID (Bethesdan C/D)

Welcome & Keynote
APFED + Dominque Pichard, MD, MS, NCATS


EGID: Recent Impactful Studies 

Jonathan Spergel, MD, PhD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia


Rare Disease Clinical Research Network: Partnerships Between Patient Advocacy Groups and Researchers to Advance Rare Diseases 
Tiina Urv, Rare Disease Clinical Research Network


Highlights from the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers (CEGIR)

Amy Klion, MD, NIAD, NIH


Blood Biomarkers in EoE
Caitlin Burk, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children


Panel Q&A

time iconJuly 12, 2024 10:15 am

Session 2 (July 12)

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Hosnieh Fathi
BMS

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Debra Silberg MD PhD FACG
Ellodi Pharmaceuticals

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Robin Shandas PhD
EnteroTrack

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Jeremy Rahman
EvoEndo

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Mark Kowalski
Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals

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Tegan Medico MS MPH RDN CNSC
University of Virginia

HYBRID (Bethesdan C/D)

Nutritional Deficiencies and Bone Health + Q&A

Tegan Medico, RD, University of Virginia


Partner Panel: Insights from Pharmaceutical and Device Developers

Dr. Hosnieh Fathi, BMS

Dr. Deb Silberg, Ellodi

Dr. Mark Kowalski, Eupraxia

Dr. Robin Shandas, EnteroTrack

Jeremy Rahman, EvoEndo

time iconJuly 12, 2024 12:00 pm

Session 3: Lunch & Learn (July 12)

speaker headshot

Raquel Durban MS RD LDN
Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center

HYBRID (Bethesdan C/D)

Micronutrient Deficiencies

Session supported by Reckitt | Mead Johnson Nutrition.

time iconJuly 12, 2024 01:10 pm

Session 4 (July 12)

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Bryan Sauer MD
University of Virginia

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Tiffany Kichline PhD
Children’s National Hospital

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Wendy Book MD
APFED

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Emily McGowan MD PhD
University of Virginia

HYBRID (Bethesdan C/D)

APFED 2024 HOPE Grant Announcement

Wendy Book, MD, APFED


Management of the EoE Patient: GI and Allergy Perspectives

Emily McGowan, MD, University of Virginia

Bryan Sauer, MD, University of Virginia


Endoscopist Role in EoE
Bryan Sauer, MD, University of Virginia


Coping With Chronic Illness + Q&A

Tiffany Kichline, PhD, Children’s National Hospital

time iconJuly 12, 2024 02:45 pm

Session 5 (July 12)

speaker headshot

Bryan Sauer MD
University of Virginia

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Emily McGowan MD PhD
University of Virginia

HYBRID (Bethesdan C/D)

Transition from Peds to Adult Care

Emily McGowan, MD, University of Virginia

Bryan Sauer, MD, University of Virginia

Panel Q&A with Patient Perspective

Volunteer Recognition and Closing Remarks

time iconJuly 13, 2024 08:00 am

Welcome + EGPA

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Wendy Book MD
APFED

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Lynn Fussner MD
The Ohio State University

VIRTUAL

Welcome

Wendy Book, MD, APFED


Long-term Outcomes of EGPA in North America: Findings from the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium + Q&A

Lynn Fussner, MD, Ohio State University



time iconJuly 13, 2024 08:30 am

Hypereosinophilic Syndromes (HES): Measuring Severity and Treatment Responses + Q&A

speaker headshot

Gregory Constantine MD
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

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Wendy Book MD
APFED

VIRTUAL
time iconJuly 13, 2024 09:00 am

Eosinophilic Asthma: Update on Pipeline Therapies

speaker headshot

Sara Bluestein MD
Atlanta Allergy & Asthma

speaker headshot

Wendy Book MD
APFED

VIRTUAL
time iconJuly 13, 2024 09:45 am

Current Progress and Challenges in Eosinophilic Fasciitis

speaker headshot

Paneez Khoury MD
National Institutes of Health

speaker headshot

Wendy Book MD
APFED

VIRTUAL
time iconJuly 13, 2024 10:15 am

Disability Law and Chronic Disease + Q&A

speaker headshot

Lisa Gonzalez-Goetz
Gonzalez & Goetz, Attorneys at Law

speaker headshot

Wendy Book MD
APFED

VIRTUAL
time iconJuly 13, 2024 11:00 am

APFED Research Directions: What Role Do Eosinophils Play in Inflammatory Disease

speaker headshot

William Busse MD
Retired, University of Wisconsin

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Wendy Book MD
APFED

VIRTUAL
time iconJuly 13, 2024 11:15 am

Raising Awareness and Support

speaker headshot

Bette Marchese
APFED

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Wendy Book MD
APFED

VIRTUAL
time iconJuly 13, 2024 11:30 am

Eos Connection 2024 Key Takeaways

speaker headshot

Holly Knotowicz MS CCC-SLP
Picky Eaters Anonymous

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Ryan Piansky
Patient Advocate

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Wendy Book MD
APFED

VIRTUAL

The co-hosts of APFED's podcast, Real Talk: Eosinophilic Diseases, will discuss key takeaways from APFED's conference.


The agenda is subject to change.

Speakers

Wendy Book MD

APFED

Caitlin Burk, MD

Massachusetts General Hospital for Children

Sara Bluestein MD

Atlanta Allergy & Asthma

William Busse MD

Retired, University of Wisconsin

Mirna Chehade MD MPH

Mount Sinai Center for Eosinophilic Disorders at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Gregory Constantine MD

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Raquel Durban MS RD LDN

Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center

Hosnieh Fathi

BMS

Lynn Fussner MD

The Ohio State University

Lisa Gonzalez-Goetz

Gonzalez & Goetz, Attorneys at Law

Megan Gordon Don

MGD Strategies

Ruchi Gupta MD MPH

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Mary Jo Strobel

APFED

Paneez Khoury MD

National Institutes of Health

Tiffany Kichline PhD

Children’s National Hospital

Amy Klion, MD

NIAID

Holly Knotowicz MS CCC-SLP

Picky Eaters Anonymous

Matthew Kowalik MD

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Mark Kowalski

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals

Bette Marchese

APFED

Emily McGowan MD PhD

University of Virginia

Tegan Medico MS MPH RDN CNSC

University of Virginia

Ryan Piansky

Patient Advocate

Dominique Pichard MD MS

NCATS’ Division of Rare Diseases Research Innovation

Jeremy Rahman

EvoEndo

Bryan Sauer MD

University of Virginia

Debra Silberg MD PhD FACG

Ellodi Pharmaceuticals

Robin Shandas PhD

EnteroTrack

Jonathan Spergel, MD, PhD

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Tiina Urv

Rare Disease Clinical Research Network

Interested in sharing your experiences as a panelist at a future conference? Complete this volunteer interest form.

TRAVEL DETAILS

Travel grants

A limited number of travel grants were made available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis. The application deadline was June 15, 2024.

Hotel

The Bethesdan Hotel
8120 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814

Group room rate: $139 per night + applicable taxes. The hotel group rate is available from July 9-July 14, 2024. Rooms must be booked by June 17, 2024. You may make your hotel reservations online. If you call the hotel directly for reservations, mention you are with the APFED conference to get the special rate.

Check-in is at 3 PM and checkout is at 12 PM.

Transportation options

Conference attendees are responsible for their own transportation.

  • Airport. The hotel is approximately 22 miles (~30-minute drive) from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and approximately 27 miles (~35-minute drive) from Dulles International Airport. The hotel does NOT provide a shuttle service to or from the airport.
  • Metro. The hotel is a mile from Medical Center Metro Station. A free shuttle is available to and from the metro, or it is a 13 minute walk.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions not answered below, please contact conference@apfed.org.


Please review all applicable state and local COVID-19 travel restrictions, guidance, and resources before traveling to participate onsite at our event. APFED is closely monitoring COVID-19 protocols and may make adjustments as required by local and federal guidelines. If you experience symptoms of COVID, or feel ill, please do not attend the event and expose other attendees who may be more at risk for COVID infection.

Wear what is comfortable for you! The conference rooms may be a little cool, so you may want to bring a sweater.

Children under age 11 are not permitted in the conference ballroom where the main sessions are being held.

All children ages 4-10 must be accompanied at all times by an adult or chaperone who is at least age 15. Select activities will be available for ages 4-10 who register for the conference. Chaperones do not need to register for the conference unless they are planning to attend general sessions and/or access event meals.

Conference programming is not suitable for children under age 4.

We are planning a program with activities that are appropriate for children in middle and high school. These will be clearly listed on the final agenda.

APFED does not provide childcare services, but as a courtesy, can provide information upon request about local childcare services available.

Companions do not need to register for the conference unless they are planning to attend general sessions and/or access event meals.

The conference is open to anyone wishing to learn more about EGIDs. Health care providers, allied health care professionals, and others who are interested in EGIDs will find the sessions beneficial. CME/CEU credits are not offered, however, we will produce a certificate of participation, if requested.

Onsite conference registration includes six (6) meals. All meals will be served buffet style and include allergy-friendly options, with ingredients labeled. Meals will include breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Thursday and Friday.

If companions would like to access event meals, please register them for the conference.

Meals will be served buffet style and include allergy-friendly options, with ingredients labeled.

APFED works with the catering staff to educate them on how to avoid cross-contact and provides ingredient substitution and specialty food recommendations. We work to ensure catering staff labels all ingredients carefully, and that buffet items are separated with designated serving utensils. Please be cautious, read all food labels, and be aware that some foods may contain ingredients that you should avoid.

To provide for conference attendees who have formula or other dietary needs, we will provide a Hospitality Suite for food storage and preparation. The suite includes a refrigerator/freezer, microwave, sink, dish soap, paper towels, and disposable tableware. This room will be staffed and open during posted hours, Thursday-Sunday. Conference attendees can gain access to this suite outside of the posted hours. More information will be provided onsite at check-in. Guest rooms are also equipped with mini refrigerators.

We are also working with the hotel to offer special APFED menus.

Yes! Our conferences are a success thanks to the generosity of our volunteers! We often have tasks leading up to the conference, and onsite at the conference during that weekend. To add your name to our volunteer list, please contact Cara Schmitt at cschmitt@apfed.org. We may not have something to assign you right away, but we will keep your contact information handy. Please note that we cannot waive conference fees for volunteers.

A limited number of travel grants are available on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible applicants. Learn more and apply.

If you would like to attend onsite but the registration fee poses a hardship, please email conference@apfed.org stating your need and a request for waived conference registration.

Cancellations must be received in writing mail@apfed.org by 5 p.m. ET on July 2, 2024. to receive a full refund of registration fees. After that time, no refunds will be issued. We will ship conference materials and email a link to recorded sessions to paid registrants who are unable to attend. Hotel cancellations must be made separately. Charges may be incurred if reservations are not canceled.

EDUCATION PARTNERS

If you are interested in sponsoring EOS Connection 2024, please contact mjstrobel@apfed.org

Collaborating Education Partner

CEGIR logoChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia logoICAHN schoolChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia logo

Presenting Education Partners

Sanofi logoRegeneron logoRegeneron logo

Platinum Education Partner

AstraZeneca LogoAstraZeneca Logo

Gold Education Partner

AstraZeneca Logo

Silver Education Partner

Ajinomoto Cambrooke
EnteroTrack
GSK

Nutricia
PhRMA
Reckitt | Mead Johnson Nutrition

Hospitality Suite Sponsor

EvoEndo

We hope to see you in Washington, D.C.!