University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, New York
Endoscopic practice, especially therapeutic endoscopy, has rapidly advanced in the last two decades, prompting a significant nationwide rise in education and training opportunities. While many high-quality courses focus on the endoscopist, few address the rest of the endoscopy team. One unique course that fills this gap is the Interventional Endoscopy Course for Nurses, Technicians, and APPs, held annually since 2009.
Willis G. Parsons, MD, the medical director of the Gastroenterology Center and Center for Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy at Northwest Community Hospital, part of Endeavor Health, in Chicago, founded the course to meet what he saw as a critical need for specialized education for endoscopy nurses and technicians. The course has grown into a key event for nurses and GI technicians, and now has expanded to include advanced practice providers (APPs), offering continuing medical education, hands-on workshops, industry exhibits and networking opportunities. This year, the course takes place June 12-14 at Caesars Palace, in Las Vegas (nch.org/vegasgi).
I had the opportunity to discuss the course’s origins, evolution and impact with Dr. Parsons as well as faculty member Christopher Chapman, MD, an interventional endoscopist at Rush University, in Chicago. I also spoke with two others closely involved with the course, Martina Santiago, APN-CNP, course faculty and lead APP, who works with Dr. Parsons in his practice, and course coordinator Sashka Evgenieva.
Dr. Kaul: What inspired you to start this course, and how did it begin?
Dr. Parsons: In 1996, I started live endoscopy courses for physicians while at Northwestern. By 2000, I added courses for nurses and technicians and continued the program after moving to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights in 2006. At the time, there was little opportunity for GI nurses and technicians to gain focused education in advanced endoscopy. In 2008, the director of GI services, Kathy Quinlan, and I decided to expand and move the course to Las Vegas. Since then, it has become a unique opportunity for GI nurses, technicians and now APPs to learn from leading experts.
Dr. Kaul: What challenges did you face in the early years and how have you grown?
Dr. Parsons: We had no experience running a course in Las Vegas, which involved challenges such as creating a budget with unclear support, hotel contracts, marketing and coordinating faculty, to name a few. Because we had no history of success with such a unique course, we had limited vendor support.
As the course has become better known, more than 20 companies now provide support.
The course is budget-neutral, with a focus on attendee education. The general GI and interventional endoscopy staff at Northwest Community Hospital assist with the course, but we ensure that industry and faculty support don’t influence content.
Ultimately, we all share the goal of advancing endoscopy education and improving patient outcomes. You, Dr. Kaul, and Sarah Enslin, PA-C, also have been instrumental in taking the course to the next level by including APPs.
Dr. Kaul: What educational needs remain unmet for GI nurses, associates and APPs?
Dr. Parsons: There’s still a need for more formalized education for GI nurses, technicians and APPs. The fast pace and sometimes inconsistent teaching from endoscopists can lead to critical knowledge and skill gaps. I choose faculty based on not only their accomplishments but their ability to teach effectively.
Dr. Kaul: What is your vision for the course moving forward?
Dr. Parsons: My goal is to expand the course to make it bigger and better each year, and to establish the course as the gold standard in endoscopy education for GI associates. I’m considering inviting physicians to attend future courses alongside their respective teams.
Dr. Kaul: What is your role and what excites you most about the course?
Ms. Santiago: I’ve been involved with the course since 2017, first as an attendee, then as a faculty speaker. This year, I’ve helped integrate the APP component and oversee CME certification as the nurse planner. I have enjoyed watching the behind-the-scenes work and diligent planning that takes place to deliver a course of this caliber.
It provides a diversity of lecturers, innovative technologies and the chance to learn while networking. This high-quality course offers an opportunity for growth and development, sprinkled with some relaxation and fun!
Dr. Kaul: How long have you been involved, and what are your most memorable experiences?
Dr. Chapman: I have been involved with this course since 2019. The most memorable experience was when Dr. Parsons hosted a “dance-off,” based on audience applause, with a cash prize. Because I was a first-time attendee, he asked me to compete. To everyone’s surprise, I won, only to later learn faculty weren’t eligible for the prize. But that’s what I love about his course: The atmosphere is an event in itself. There is no course like it. It is fun, exciting and highly educational.
Dr. Kaul: What makes your lectures so entertaining and meaningful?
Dr. Chapman: Self-deprecation and mastering Photoshop are key. Joking aside, Dr. Parsons creates an atmosphere that encourages creativity in delivering educational content. I focus less on data and more on practical tips geared toward the audience.
One memorable lecture involved audience participation. I handed out playing cards and told attendees there would be a quiz for a cash prize. After the lecture, I randomly drew a card, and if someone had the matching card, they came on stage to play. The participants got all the clinical questions correct!
Dr. Kaul: What advice do you have for nurses, associates and APPs in complex endoscopy practice?
Dr. Chapman: Endoscopy wouldn’t be possible without our excellent nurses and techs. Their contributions are invaluable as cases grow more complex and require new devices. My advice to nurses, APPs and associates is to take advantage of educational opportunities tailored to their needs. To best position themselves for success, I recommend they focus on maximizing hands-on training through industry-led in-services, hands-on courses and participating in as many in-room cases as possible. We want them to get in there and get their hands dirty.
Dr. Parsons was one of the first to recognize the importance of providing formal education to interventional techs and nurses. Now celebrating its 16th year, the long-standing success and popularity of this course is a testament to the enormous gap it helped fill.
Dr. Kaul: What are the key challenges when organizing such a course, and how do you navigate them year after year?
Ms. Evgenieva: Organizing this endoscopy course each year involves coordinating numerous elements to meet the diverse needs of attendees, faculty and industry partners. Successful execution requires careful planning, collaboration and alignment of educational content, equipment logistics and exhibitor coordination for a seamless experience.
Despite meticulous preparation, unforeseen challenges such as equipment issues, travel delays and technical glitches are inevitable. Over time, we’ve built a culture of creative problem-solving, allowing us to quickly adapt and maintain the high-quality experience our participants expect. Ultimately, it’s fulfilling to create a collaborative environment where education, innovation and industry converge, knowing that the course enhances patient care by strengthening the skills of front-line providers.
This article is from the May 2025 print issue.