Dear Colleagues,

It is with great pleasure that the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL) announce an inaugural joint conference to CONNECT physicians and health care providers in Turkey and the surrounding region with experts in hepatology. We are excited to have the opportunity to create a partnership between AASLD and TASL to share the cutting-edge information in hepatology for the regional audience. The CONNECT program is designed to deliver a state-of-the-art scientific program by bringing world renowned experts to the meeting.  We are pleased to present AASLD and TASL speakers in six important areas of hepatology today, including viral hepatitis B, C, and D, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis and liver transplantation and hepatocellular carcinoma.  The CONNECT program’s format consists of review of the standard guidelines for these conditions followed by discussion of the latest data as well as application of those new data in the loco-regional practice.  In this event, we also feature a Rising Star Symposium to help develop academic skills for young hepatologists. On behalf of AASLD and TASL, we would like to thank you in advance for your participation.  As members of the global hepatology community, all of us share the mission of preventing and ultimately curing liver disease in the US, in Turkey and the world over.  We are convinced that this meeting will serve as a catalyst in promoting liver health, providing quality patient care, and advancing the study and practice of hepatology in the region. TASL Organizers                    AASLD Organizers Ramazan Idilman M.D.         W. Ray Kim M.D. Zeki Karasu M.D.                    Ahmet Gurakar M.D.