Unveiled at The Liver Meeting®, the initiative will bring liver care teams together to share expertise, advance best practices, and improve patient outcomes nationwide.
DENVER, Co. — Nov. 6, 2026 — The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) announced the launch of the Liver Network of Excellence, a new national initiative designed to transform liver care by connecting institutions, sharing clinical expertise, and advancing quality improvement across health care settings. The initiative comes at a critical time, with liver disease and related conditions affecting nearly half of the U.S. adult population and an expanding range of effective treatments creating unprecedented opportunities for earlier detection, intervention, and improved patient outcomes.
The Liver Network of Excellence will establish a nationwide learning collaborative that brings together liver care teams from academic medical centers, community practices, integrated health systems, and other clinical settings. By combining shared data, clinical expertise and collaborative learning, the initiative aims to identify, test, and disseminate best practices that reduce variation in care, strengthen clinical pathways, and improve outcomes for patients with liver disease.
"The future of liver care depends on our ability to learn from one another and translate that knowledge into meaningful improvements for patients," said Dr. Karpen. "The Liver Network of Excellence represents an important step toward building a more connected liver care community, where institutions of all sizes can collaborate, share what works and accelerate progress toward screening, preventing, and curing liver diseases."
Beginning in January 2027, AASLD will launch an inaugural 12-month pilot involving approximately five institutions representing diverse clinical settings and approaches to liver care.
The pilot will bring participating organizations together to address defined clinical challenges, exchange expertise, and develop practical approaches to improving patient care. Participating institutions will help establish how a national learning collaborative can operate effectively while generating insights to guide its future growth.
Insights from the pilot will help AASLD determine the resources, infrastructure, and collaborative approaches needed to expand the initiative and support long-term improvements in liver care nationwide.
A Call for Institutions to Help Shape the Future of Liver Care
AASLD is inviting institutions across the liver care community to express interest in participating in the inaugural pilot. Academic medical centers, community-based services, integrated health systems, and advanced practice provider (APP)-led teams are encouraged to apply.
Institutions do not need to be established leaders in quality improvement to participate. The pilot seeks diverse perspectives from organizations with expertise to share as well as those looking to strengthen their approaches to delivering high-quality liver care.
Expressions of interest are due Jan. 8, 2027. Institutions interested in learning more can attend one of two upcoming information sessions:
- Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. ET
- Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. ET
Learn more about the Liver Network of Excellence.
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About AASLD
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) is the leading organization of scientists and health care professionals committed to preventing and curing liver disease. AASLD fosters research that leads to improved treatment options for millions of liver disease patients and advances the science and practice of hepatology through educational conferences, training programs, professional publications, and partnerships with government agencies and sister societies.
About The Liver Meeting®
TLM is the premier global event in hepatology, bringing together the researchers, clinicians, advanced practice providers, specialists, and leaders shaping the future of liver care. Through cutting-edge science, practical education, and meaningful collaboration, attendees gain the knowledge and tools needed to address today's most pressing challenges in hepatology. With expert-led sessions, innovative exhibits, and unmatched networking opportunities, TLM empowers professionals across every career stage to advance patient care and research to elevate the standard of liver health worldwide. Learn more about TLM26 at www.aasld.org/tlm-26.