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| Hunter Chance Dickson, D.O. |
Third-year resident Hunter Chance Dickson, D.O., and his poster titled “A Rare Case of Cowden Syndrome Diagnosed in a Young Adult Male”; and second-year resident Haris Manan, M.D., and his poster titled “Heptocellular Carcinoma in the Absence of Liver Disease” were awarded.
For the second consecutive year, Dickson won the Outstanding Poster Presenter award. His poster featured a case in which a 27-year-old was diagnosed with a rare syndrome and why it can be easily overlooked.
Cowden syndrome is characterized by a high risk of cancerous and benign tumors of the breast, thyroid, uterus, kidney and colon. According to his presentation, the case highlights the importance of considering Cowden syndrome as a differential diagnosis in patients who present incidentally with harmartomatous gastrointestinal polyps.
“USA Health has helped shape who I am as a doctor and a person. I’m truly blessed to be training at this program and to be surrounded by so many great co-residents, faculty, and friends,” he said. “It’s always fun to represent my program at a national conference and bring home an award that I couldn’t have received without their love and support.”
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| Haris Manan, M.D. |
“Despite normal lab results, an abdomen CT revealed a malignant liver mass,” he said. “Timely surgical resection offered a curative solution, underscoring the importance of early imaging in oral contraceptive pill users with right-sided abdominal pain.”
Manan, a first-time Outstanding Poster Presenter award winner, credited his mentors, faculty and wife for the achievement.
“USA Health is more than a residency program. It’s a family,” he said, “and it has been an absolute honor to be part of that family. I dedicate my award to my family and everyone who has supported me through this journey.” He specifically thanked pathology residents Muhammad Tahir, M.D., and Yusuf Ozcelik, M.D., and the Department of Pathology for their contributions to the poster.
The recognition helps ACG encourage clinical GI researchers to use critical storytelling and presentation skills essential for careers as clinical investigators and scientific communicators. During daily poster rounds at the meeting, poster presenters may be invited to give a short informative briefing on their research, followed by a one-minute Q&A with a faculty judge.
Each judge selects one or more “Outstanding Poster Presenters” who are best able to communicate their key findings, the significance of their data, and articulate the potential impact of their work for clinicians and patients.
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| Anas Khouri, M.D., and Seema Mir, M.D. |
“I've gained invaluable knowledge from the exceptional educational sessions and leaders in the field who are presenting the most cutting-edge information in the field of GI, which is crucial for me both as a clinician and an academic,” Khouri said.
Mir said she also considered it an honor to represent the academic health system.
“Attending the postgraduate courses to learn about the newest innovations in GI and presenting case reports on my patients helped me develop my skills as a clinician,” she said. “Being able to spend time with my co-residents in this collegiate environment helped me connect and learn from my peers.”
The ACG is the preeminent professional organization that champions the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of digestive disorders.
