For the first time, brought together on a common platform, these two major events in Romanian hepatology were seamlessly integrated and made complementary contributions to the educational objectives. The pillars of this complex event were medical progress and innovation, personalization of medical care, interdisciplinary dialogue, and the establishment of strategic directions in hepatology.

The exceptional scientific program of the annual hepatology course – Update on Hepatology – together with the prestigious national and international personalities invited, outlined the major trends in contemporary hepatology relevant to clinical practice. The concept addressed in 2026 – Personalized Management of Liver Diseases in the Flow of Hepatology Practice – reflects the growing tendency to integrate into practice a personalized care model tailored to the patient’s profile, based on a structured continuum of medical care and active longitudinal monitoring.

We thank the distinguished international speakers – Heiner Wedemeyer, Marco Carbone, Nancy Reau, Costica Aloman, Philip Mathurin, Dominique Thabut, Raluca Pais, Umberto Cillo, Luca Belli, Shiv Sarin and the national speakers – Simona Ruță, Corina Pop, Anca Trifan, Dana Crișan, Răzvan Iacob, Horia Ștefănescu, Dan Gheonea, Irina Gîrleanu, Mugur Grasu, Zeno Spârchez, Speranța Iacob, Eugen Dumitru, Andrada Seicean, Bogdan Procopeț for updating high-impact and highly relevant topics:

• Viral hepatitis B and D – beyond elimination and toward cure
• Autoimmune and cholestatic liver disease: from patterns to personalized therapy
• Alcohol and the liver in 2026 – old risks, new concepts, and evolving strategies
• Cirrhosis as a multisystemic disease – a practical guide to complications
• Innovation and personalization in liver transplantation – toward long-term success
• The expanding role of endohepatology in 2026

Within the framework of the 3rd Forum of Metabolic Hepatology, the novelty consisted in a complex event aimed not only at presenting the most recent scientific data in hepatology with an impact on clinical practice, but also at initiating a national strategic approach for the control and prevention of steatosis, steatohepatitis, and cirrhosis associated with metabolic dysfunction (MASLD), chronic liver disease caused by harmful alcohol consumption (ALD) and the combination of these conditions (MetALD).

With the support of renowned experts and promoters of clinical practice guidelines and health policies in this field – Jeffrey Lazarus, Vlad Ratziu, Nancy Reau, Ines Mega, Roxana Șirli, Anca Trifan, Corina Pop, Ioana Lupescu – a Position Paper began to take shape, outlining a national strategy, an action plan, and concrete directions for reducing the impact of MASLD, MetALD, and ALD in Romania, and for integrating this initiative into a broader global strategy for the control of metabolic disorders (obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease).

We also thank the distinguished guests from various disciplines who helped us integrate metabolic liver pathology into the broader context of highly prevalent metabolic conditions: Dragoș Vinereanu, Anca Sîrbu, Mihaela Vladu, Dragoș Bumbăcea, Răzvan Hainăroșie, Bogdan Obrișcă, Lucia Grijac, Gindrovel Dumitra, Mihaela Udrescu, Ligia Moșneagă.

The traditional meeting with patients with liver diseases and liver transplant recipients was not only an emotional moment, but also an opportunity to inform, educate and promote the principles that underpin liver health.

We thank the distinguished speakers, support organizations, and participants for these three days of valuable scientific experience, interactivity, and national and international connectivity.

See you again in 2027!

Liana Gheorghe
Speranța Iacob