Patient Support & Education Conferences
2025 AIHA Conference.
The Patient Retreat
September 11-12, 2025
Hybrid Conference
In-Person Event in Indianapolis
Since 2013, the AIHA has hosted an AIH patient conference every other year. Each conference introduces new elements, and this year will be no exception. The seventh conference, titled “The Patient Retreat,” reflects our commitment to providing valuable experiences to enhance your AIH journey. Our conference planning committee has ensured there are education offerings to promote interactions between attendees and AIH experts while also addressing the significant symptom burden that many AIH patients feel.
This two-day event will have something for everyone. Attending hepatologists will provide patient-level information on the approaches, management, and treatment nuances of AIH. You can also expect a discussion of current hot topics in the field, dedicated symptom talks, and a review of autoimmune issues beyond the liver.
Interactive case-based teaching and live patient polling will guide discussions. Have you ever wanted to learn how to make macarons while connecting with other AIHA members? Several special break-out activities will be available for you to experience something new!
We look forward to meeting you all in Indy!
For more details, including hotel information, please visit the conference website.
Preliminary List of Conference Presentations
- AIH Disease Overview: Presentation, Diagnosis, Goals, & Monitoring
- AIH Treatment: AIH Medications, Treatment Nuances, & Approaches to Intolerant Cases
- Hot Topics in AIH for the Patient
- Autoimmune Diseases Beyond AIH: Rheumatology
- Patient Think Tank
- Mental Health: Depression, Anxiety, Screening, & Management
- Approaches to Fatigue
- Dermatologic Considerations in AIH
- Menopause: Is it Menopause, Perimenopause, or AIH?
- Sponsor Podium Talks
- Fibroscan: What is it? How do my Doctors Interpret it? When Should I Discuss it with my Doctor?
- Patient Case Discussion
- The State of AIHA
2023 AIHA Conference.
Our 2023 conference was held in October in Indianapolis. Most of the talks were recorded, and a selection of our most popular ones can be found below. All the recorded presentations can be found on our YouTube channel. Stay tuned for information about our next conference. Announcements are shared first via email to our member list. Not a member? Joining the AIHA is free. Join today!
Current Understanding and Treatment of Fatigue
Craig Lammert, M.D., from Indiana University, discusses fatigue, one of the most common symptoms of AIH and one that can dramatically impact daily life.
Navigating Alcohol and AIH
Can you drink alcohol if you have AIH? How much is too much? Lindsay King, M.D., from Duke University, addresses these important questions. Anne Mary Montero, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at Indiana University, adds comments on coping with social stigma and challenging situations where drinking is “expected.”
AIH: The Latest Research
Ethan Weinberg, M.D., from the University of Pennsylvania, shares more about the latest research in AIH.
Patient Panel Featuring Brooke Boiseau
Patient Brooke Boiseau shares her experience of being diagnosed and living with AIH. She is then joined by other patients in a panel question and answer session.
Unmet Needs in AIH
Lauren Nephew, M.D., a hepatologist from Indiana University, discusses what it takes for AIH patients to stay healthy with a high quality of life.
Therapeutic Use of Acupuncture
Ying Wang, M.D., Ph.D., from Indiana University, shares the benefits of acupuncture.
Skin Findings in Autoimmune Patients
This talk covers dermatologic considerations for patients with autoimmune conditions and who are on chronic immunosuppressants.
2022 AIHA Conference
AIH by the Numbers
Is AIH becoming more common? Tess Bittermann, M.D., from the University of Pennsylvania, shares more about how many people are impacted by AIH and the demographics of those diagnosed.
Are Liver Blood Tests a Good Indication of Ongoing Inflammation?
Doctors often ask AIH patients to have regular blood work. Marcial Sebode, Ph.D., from University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, shares more about how reliable these tests are in determining ongoing liver inflammation that can lead to further fibrosis.
Patient Panel: What is it Like to Live with AIH?
Hear firsthand from patients about what it’s like to live with this disease and how they manage symptoms of AIH and side effects from the medication they take.
Coping with a Rare Disease: A Focus on Mental Health
Anne Mary Montero, Ph.D., from Indiana University, provides some practical tips for handling the stress, fatigue, and poor sleep that often accompany a rare disease like AIH.
New Treatments on the Horizon
Craig Lammert, M.D., from Indiana University, gives an overview of treatments currently available for AIH and provides a look at what new treatments are being considered for this rare disease.
2021 AIHA Conference
The Latest AIH Research
Craig Lammert, M.D., from Indiana University presents a collection of important AIH studies that have been published this past year and explains what these could mean to the care of patients.
AIH 101: What to Expect as a Newly Diagnosed Patient
From common medications you’ll take and possible side effects to the regular lab work your doctor will order and questions you should ask, Tess Bittermann, M.D., from the University of Pennsylvania, breaks down what you need to know as a newcomer to AIH.
AIH Treatment Guidelines: How Are They Created, and Why Do We Need Them?
Did you know that the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases publishes guidelines to help doctors diagnose and treat patients with AIH? Cara Mack, M.D., from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, explains what has changed in the new guidelines published recently.
Dietary Supplements including Milk Thistle and Turmeric: Can They Help AIH, and Do They Have the Potential to Cause Harm?
Victor Navarro, M.D., from Einstein Healthcare Network, shares more about supplements, the potential risks involved, and what patients should do if they want to try them.