Samaritan Medical Center to Host World Liver Day Educational Event

Published on: April 13, 2026

Watertown, N.Y. – In recognition of World Liver Day, Samaritan Medical Center invites community members to a free World Liver Day Educational Event on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Samaritan Medical Center Rotunda (connector between Samaritan Medical Center and Samaritan Keep Home), 830 Washington Street, Watertown.

World Liver Day is a global event to raise awareness about liver disease, promoting prevention, early screening, and treatment focusing on the fact that 90% of liver diseases are preventable through lifestyle changes.

Samaritan Medical Center will celebrate the day with educational presentations from two leading experts on liver disease and a showcase of its FibroScan technology.

FibroScan has revolutionized how health care professionals assess liver health, offering an alternative to traditional liver biopsies. The technology uses advanced elastography to measure liver stiffness, which correlates with the degree of fibrosis. It can also help identify individuals who may not yet show symptoms but are at high risk due to factors such as obesity, diabetes or hepatitis.

The noninvasive procedure requires no needles or incisions, making it a comfortable and convenient option for individuals seeking a thorough liver evaluation. Early detection is key. Identifying liver fibrosis in its early stages is critical to preventing progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer and, in some cases, may allow for reversal.

Attendees will hear from Dr. Santiago Munoz, associate professor of clinical medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and board-certified in gastroenterology and transplant hepatology. Dr. Renu Umashanker, a clinical hepatologist with 28 years of experience and an associate professor at Yale and the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, will also be present.

Guests can meet Samaritan’s local care team, including Dr. Ryan Tyler and Jen Ring, AGNP-C, of Samaritan’s Watertown Family Health Center.

The event is free and open to the public and health care professionals. Refreshments will be served. RSVPs are encouraged at samaritanhealth.com/world-liver-day-event.

Parking is available at no charge in the Washington Street lot and the Samaritan Medical Center parking garage.

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