Center for Autoimmune Liver Disease at Cincinnati Children's Hospital

04/07/2026

We’re excited to announce Dr. Kai Markus Schneider as the keynote speaker for this year’s PALD conference, on April 17-18, 2026 at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Join us for an insightful session exploring the gut–liver axis featuring Dr. Schneider’s talk “Control of Cholestatic Liver Disease Progression by Intestinal Microbiome.” Dr. Schneider will dive into the dynamic relationship between the gut microbiome and liver disease, highlighting emerging science and its real-world clinical impact.

At the Dresden University of Technology, the Schneider Lab has contributed significantly to understanding of the close link between liver disease and alterations in the gut environment. Recent publications have explored how microbiota-dependent changes in bile acid synthesis affects cholestatic liver disease, and how imbalanced gut microbiota shapes the hepatic inflammatory environment.

This is a must-attend talk for clinicians, researchers, and anyone passionate about advancing care in hepatology.

Register here for in-person or virtual attendance.
https://web.cvent.com/event/2513ec56-c727-4b67-a22d-10b81ca01e72/register

03/24/2026

Join us at the 8th PALD Symposium for an important conversation on patient advocacy, presented by A-LiNK Connections.

Navigating the Unexpected: Empowering Patients in Emergency Settings

In critical moments, knowledge and confidence can make all the difference. This Patient & Family Advocacy Session is designed specifically around pediatric liver disease—equipping you with the tools needed to navigate emergency situations with clarity and strength.

This talk, led by patient advocates, features:
🔅Community discussion on the unique aspects of pediatric autoimmune liver disease in emergency health care settings
🔅Practice using tools co-created by patients and physicians to support care in unexpected situations, including ER visits, student health centers, and while traveling
🔅Knowledge to empower patients and families to advocate effectively
🔅Insight for providers to better support PALD patients and families in emergency settings

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, patient, or physician this session will empower you to take an active role in improving emergency care of PALD patients.

👥Register now: https://cvent.me/Dm9WOZ

💡Learn more about A-LiNK: https://www.alink4hope.org/

10/28/2025

Share your ideas for this year's symposium!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4_-uPZHDOTVg5a2WFiHcI8pccOQEoujEFKsmGou5CGnaoPA/viewform

This is your opportunity to inspire, educate, and connect with others who share your passion for improving the lives of children and families affected by autoimmune liver diseases.

Deadline for proposals: January 18, 2026

Event Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1112954464157632

10/27/2025

Registration is now open! https://cvent.me/Dm9WOZ

09/10/2025

Join the Cincinnati Walks for Kids 20th Anniversary Celebration!

Join the A-LiNK4Hope team in person and virtually to support the work of our patients/families in education, outreach, and advocacy.

Register here: https://giving.cincinnatichildrens.org/team/762879 and participate in person or virtually. The donated funds will directly support A-LiNK’s mission- on the drop-down menu with registration, you will need to specify Gastroenterology/A-LiNK as in the picture.

When: Sunday, September 28th, 2025. Registration opens at 7:30 AM EST, and our walk begins at 9:00 AM EST.

Where: Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH. The 2-mile is stroller and wheelchair friendly. There will be a 1-mile option available.

Why: To be a hero for children’s health!

Register here: https://giving.cincinnatichildrens.org/team/762879

Learn more about A-LiNK’s commitment to children with autoimmune liver diseases and explore resources https://www.aildnetwork.org/

09/05/2025

Join us in supporting the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's annual gala! It is an evening of celebration and fundraising for a great cause. We are especially proud to announce that our very own Dr. Lee Denson will be honored with the Uniting to Care and Cure Award at the event. Click the link to learn more and get your tickets! https://onecau.se/nightforacure25

Join us at the 2025 special event gala in Cincinnati!To learn more, volunteer, or purchase a ticket/sponsorship, click here: https://onecau.se/nightforacure25.

05/23/2025

A-LiNK Connections just released their Caregiver Coping Resource, a fantastic guide developed with ImproveCareNow’s parent/caregiver group, and Social Workers and Psychologists. It is packed with insights from caregivers of children with Autoimmune Liver Disease (AILD) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), as well as supporting professionals. Check it out and share!
Caregiver Coping Resourcehttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/654542910d6d59414d622499/t/68267e36e5ceac462b23048c/1747353209731/Caregiver+Coping+Resource+-+ICN+A-LiNK+-+May+2025+Final.pdf
Patient and Family Education Manual https://static1.squarespace.com/static/654542910d6d59414d622499/t/67095b10fa31ff3f4790b300/1728666396975/A-LiNK+Patient+and+Family+Education+Manual+Vol+I+2024+-+DIGITAL+med+res_.pdf
Get Involved: Patients, Caregivers, Physicians https://www.aildnetwork.org/get-involved
A-LiNK Website: aildnetwork.org https://www.aildnetwork.org/

12/23/2024

07/22/2024

Hello Patients, Families, Friends, and Community members in the Greater Cincinnati Area!

We would like to invite you to a special benefit concert hosted by the Asian American Coalition of Ohio (AACO) in support of CALD’s critical research into autoimmune liver diseases (AIH, PSC, ASC).

The AACO youth leaders have organized an evening of live music, featuring the violin, cello, keyboard, flute, and vocals!

When: Saturday August 3rd, 2024, 6-9 PM
Where: 766 Reading Rd, Mason Ohio 45040 - Cincinnati Chinese Church

Come join us to learn more about CALD’s research, meet other community members, support CALD and the AACO, or just enjoy the music!

Make a Difference: Share your story
Have a story of hope or inspiration you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at [email protected] and your story could be featured at the event.

Spread the word and help us raise hope for a brighter future!

We look forward to seeing you there!

05/31/2024

A RARE Opportunity!

A day of support and education for PSC children, teens, and their families!

You are invited to attend the Canadian Paediatric PSC Day from the comfort of home!

This Saturday, June 1! 9:50AM EST - 3pm EST

Whether you are Canadian or not, you are invited to join this paediatric-focused webinar, co-hosted by PSC Partners Seeking a Cure and Dr. Amanda Ricciuto from the Hospital for Sick Children, and in partnership with Toronto Centre for Liver Disease and Ajmera Transplant Center at University Health Network!

Register for Webinar Here https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OdvgGZ5dRbCnIilwr5nppA?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0AogNwXfPddvo_Pt7JHhw_nAlbxLeeBxworREd2Cn8ds6M8SYzD_NTd5c_aem_AQBxSy5iq-AfxvHrPwOooec0x2q-Ate6PHjcFvCdeLYUaAWdr0EQH9xQIynIgBI54nhqIRpZFHGTp8Aj8daY0gs8 #/registration

This event is designed for children and teens with PSC and their families. French and ASL interpretation will be available to online attendees.

We encourage everyone in the PSC community to attend this special event that brings together PSC children & teens, their families, and PSC experts.

Medical Speakers:

Sara Ahola Kohut, PhD - Psychologist and Health Clinician Scientist with the Medical Psychiatry Alliance (MPA) at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and an Assistant Professor with the University of Toronto. Dr. Kohut’s program of research develops therapies and programs to support the quality of life of children with chronic health conditions and their families. These therapies focus on supporting the physical, emotional, and social health of these children.

Gary Bader, PhD - the Ontario Research Chair in Biomarkers of Disease in the Department of Molecular Genetics. His research focuses on systems biology at the cell and tissue level. He is also a Professor at The Donnelly Centre at the University of Toronto and an expert in Computational Biology. Dr. Bader is Principal Investigator on a four-year patient-partnered paediatric PSC research study with PSC Partners.

Gideon Hirschfield, MB BChir, PhD, FRCP - the inaugural Lily and Terry Horner Chair in Autoimmune Liver Disease, at the University of Toronto. He is the Director of Autoimmune Liver Disease Program and the Director of Clinical Practice at Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Francis Family Liver Clinic and specializes in Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, Autoimmune Hepatitis and Transplant.

Sonya MacParland, PhD - Senior Scientist in the Ajmera Transplant Centre at UHN and an Associate Professor in the University of Toronto's department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and the department of Immunology. Dr. MacParland holds a Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Liver Immunobiology and is the organizing Principal Investigator on a four-year patient-partnered paediatric PSC research study with PSC Partners.

Amrita Mundh, MN, NP-Peds - specializing in paediatric PSC care in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the Hospital for Sick Children. She completed her Master of Nursing and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Toronto.

Amanda Ricciuto MD, PhD, FRCP - staff gastroenterologist in the Division of Gastrology and Hepatology & Nutrition at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Her areas of specialty included pediatric inflammatory bowel disease and IBD-associated liver disease, particularly primary sclerosing cholangitis. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and Principal Investigator on a four-year patient-partnered paediatric PSC research study with PSC Partners.

PSC Partners Seeking a Cure Speakers:

Joanne Hatchett, RN, FNP, ACHPN - Medical Science Liaison for PSC Partners seeking a Cure

Jessica Travis - Event planner, PSC Partners Seeking a Cure

Mary Vyas, MSc, MA - President and co-founder of PSC Partners Seeking a Cure Canada, Patient Registry Strategist for PSC Partners Seeking a Cure

Register for Webinar Here https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OdvgGZ5dRbCnIilwr5nppA?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0AogNwXfPddvo_Pt7JHhw_nAlbxLeeBxworREd2Cn8ds6M8SYzD_NTd5c_aem_AQBxSy5iq-AfxvHrPwOooec0x2q-Ate6PHjcFvCdeLYUaAWdr0EQH9xQIynIgBI54nhqIRpZFHGTp8Aj8daY0gs8 #/registration

05/13/2024

We are excited to share a new publication, a multicenter phase 3 clinical trial studying the effects of Maralixibat in PFIC. Maralixibat is a non-steroidal, pharmacological treatment, that inhibits the ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT). This phase 3 clinical trial found that across several PFIC types, patients on Maralixibat had improved cholestatic pruritus, markers of sleep disturbances, and predictors of native liver survival (serum bile acids and total bilirubin). These findings are not limited to BSEP deficient PFIC, but also include patients with a broad range of PFIC types and characteristics and has the potential to improve the standard of care in patients with PFIC, regardless of genotype.

Congrats to Dr. Miethke’s team here in Cincinnati, and their collaborators at 29 other hospitals!

You can access the proof for free using this share link:

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders, the most prevalent being BSEP deficiency, resulting …