Eos Connection 2025

June 26-28, 2025
Raleigh-Durham, NC

Join us for Eos Connection 2025, APFED’s annual patient education conference for eosinophil-associated diseases! This year’s conference will be Thursday, June 26 – Saturday, June 28, in Raleigh-Durham, NC.

Early bird registration is now open! Stay tuned for the launch of our full conference website.

Education Partners

About the conference

This hybrid event will include live events at the DoubleTree by Hilton Raleigh-Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park, and select sessions will be streamed online for virtual participants. We hope to see you there!

Everyone who registers for the conference can:

• Meet and network with patients, families, and other community members
• Learn about eosinophil-associated diseases and practical strategies from experts
• Explore new research in our virtual Poster Hall
• Learn about resources, products, and services in the virtual Exhibit Hall
• Access session recordings on-demand for six months following the live events

Review conference code of conduct.

Registration

Onsite conference: $50 per person
Virtual attendees: $0 per person

APFED will provide five (5) meals for onsite attendees. On Friday, June 27, meals will includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and on Saturday, June 28, meals will include breakfast and lunch. All meals will be served buffet style and include allergy-friendly options, with ingredients labeled.

Hotel

DoubleTree by Hilton Raleigh-Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park
4810 Page Creek Lane, Durham, NC 27703
919.941.6000
Discounted room rate available until June 5, 2025.

Group room rate: $149 per night + applicable taxes.

Reserve a room

Travel Grants

APFED will award up to 10 travel grants of up to $1,000 USD each on a first-come, first-served basis. The grants may be applied to travel expenses to attend APFED’s annual patient education conference onsite in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Recipients will also have conference registration fees.

Learn more and apply for a travel grant

Research posters

APFED’s annual patient education conference will feature a virtual poster hall to learn about the latest research on eosinophil-associated diseases. Researchers are invited to submit an abstract by May 9, 2025.

Schedule overview

All times are noted in ET. Schedule is subject to change

Thursday, June 26

Check-in

Eos & Everyone: Welcome Mixer
Sponsored by Ajinomoto Cambrooke

Adult Meet Up (Pay your own tab)
Piney Point Grill Bar (Hotel Lobby)

Teen Mixer

Friday, June 27

Special programming for middle- and high-schoolers will be planned from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Breakfast

Conference sessions (Live + streaming)

EGIDs by the Numbers: Prevalence and Health Care Impact
Elizabeth Jensen, MPH, PhD
Epidemiologist
Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Learn how common EGIDs are and how these conditions can affect health care needs and services.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE): The Latest Guidelines Explained

Review of the latest updates in the diagnosis and management guidelines for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), patients and families will learn how these changes may impact their care and treatment options.

EoE Treatment Options and Advancements in Clinical Trials
David A. Leiman, MD, MSHP
Gastroenterologist
Duke Health

Learn current treatment options for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and explore the latest advancements from clinical trials, including novel therapies and evolving management strategies.

Non-EoE EGID Treatment Options and Advancements
Evan S. Dellon, MD, MPH
Academic Gastroenterologist
UNC School of Medicine

Learn current and emerging treatment options for non-EoE EGIDs (eosinophilic gastritis, colitis), and clinical trials to better navigate care decisions and discuss personalized treatment plans with your healthcare team.

Lunch

Conference sessions (Live + streaming)

Sticking with the Plan: Treatment Adherence and EGIDs and Tips for Staying on Track
Alexander Reddy, MD
Gastroenterologist
Duke Health

Understand the importance of treatment adherence in managing eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs), explore common challenges, and share strategies to support long-term success with diet and medication plans.

Accessing Prescribed Medications: Tips, Tools, and Resources

Empower yourself with practical strategies and resources to navigate insurance, financial assistance, and healthcare systems in order to access prescribed medications and treatments.

Medication Matters: How Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners Support Your Eos Care

This session will help participants understand how clinical pharmacist practitioners support those with eosinophilic GI disorders and how pharmacists help manage medications, monitor for side effects, assist with prior authorizations, and provide education to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Stuck in the Middle: Understanding and Navigating Food Impaction

This session will help participants understand what food impaction is, why it happens, how to recognize the signs, and what steps to take for treatment and prevention. Gain practical knowledge to navigate impactions safely and confidently.

Pregnancy and Reproductive Health Outcomes for EGID Patients
Elizabeth Jensen, MPH, PhD
Epidemiologist
Wake Forest University School of Medicine

This session will provide an overview of what is known about pregnancy and reproductive health in individuals with EGIDs. Participants will learn about the potential impacts of EGIDs and treatments on fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and maternal and fetal health, as well as considerations for planning a healthy pregnancy and postpartum care.

Navigating Eos: Virtual Breakout Rooms

Networking Dinner

Saturday, June 28

Special programming for middle- and high-schoolers will be planned from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Breakfast

Conference sessions (Live + streaming)

Food Allergy Immunotherapy and EoE: Can They Work Together?

Understand the role of immunotherapy in treating food allergies, explore the potential risks and benefits in the context of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), and hear guidance to make informed decisions about treatment options.

Unpacking the Role of Mast Cells in Eosinophilic GI Disorders
Onyinye I. Iweala, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Allergy and Immunology)
Director, Allergy Mast Cell Disorders Program
Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Learn the role of mast cells in eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs), how they contribute to symptoms, and what this means for diagnosis and treatment approaches.

Patient Voice: Pros and Cons of Dietary Treatment

Food as Medicine: The Role of Diet in Eosinophilic Inflammation
Raquel Durban, MS, RD, LDN
Registered Dietitian
Carolina Asthma and Allergy Center

Learn how food and nutrition can impact eosinophilic conditions, explore the latest research on how diet may help manage inflammation, and discover practical tips to support your health through what you eat.

Starting Strong: A Practical Guide to Elimination Diets for Eosinophilic Disorders

This session will introduce participants to the basics of starting an elimination diet for eosinophilic disorders. Attendees will learn the goals of dietary therapy, common approaches, tips for planning meals, and strategies to maintain nutritional balance while avoiding trigger foods. The session will also address practical challenges and provide resources to support success.

Lunch

Conference sessions (Live + streaming)

Sessions to be announced

Navigating Eos: Virtual Breakout Rooms

Education Partners

Thank you to the following organizations for supporting Eos Connection 2025.

If you are interested in sponsoring APFED’s annual patient education conference, please contact mjstrobel@apfed.org.

Collaborating Education Partners

Presenting Education Partners

Platinum Education Partners

Supporting Education Partners

EnteroTrack

Uniquity Bioscience

Welcome Reception Sponsor

Ajinomoto Cambrooke