Welcome to the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL), a thriving organization dedicated to advancing liver health through research, education, and advocacy. Established over 25 years ago, CASL has grown from humble beginnings to become a leading voice in hepatology in Canada.
Our History
CASL originated from the Canadian Liver Club, founded in 1977 by a group of passionate hepatologists and researchers. The Club was an informal group focused on the intellectual and social interests of its members. Key figures in its founding included Murray ‘Woody’ Fisher and Carl Goresky, who recognized the need for a Canadian organization dedicated to liver health. The first meeting of the Canadian Liver Club was held in Toronto in January 1977, and it quickly gained momentum, attracting members from across the country.
By 1984, the members of the Canadian Liver Club saw the need for a more formal organization to better support the growing field of hepatology. This led to the transformation of the Club into the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL) in 1985. The inaugural meeting of CASL was held in Chicago, marking the beginning of a new era in liver disease research and education in Canada.
Milestones in Our Journey
- 1977: Formation of the Canadian Liver Club, an informal group dedicated to liver health.
- 1985: Transformation into the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL) with the adoption of a formal constitution and bylaws.
1988: Hosting the prestigious International Association for the Study of the Liver (IASL) conference in Toronto, which significantly boosted CASL’s visibility and reputation on the international stage.
1990: Establishment of the Andrew Sass-Kortsak Award by the Canadian Liver Foundation, in honor of a pioneering figure in hepatology.
Our Mission
At CASL, we are committed to:
- Promoting Research: Supporting innovative research initiatives to uncover new treatments and improve patient outcomes.
- Education and Training: Providing comprehensive educational resources and training programs for healthcare professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills in hepatology.
- Advocacy: Advocating for policies and practices that support liver health and improve access to care for patients with liver diseases.
Our Vision
We envision a future where liver diseases are effectively managed and ultimately eradicated. Through our efforts, we aim to:
- Advance Scientific Knowledge: Facilitate groundbreaking research that leads to a deeper understanding of liver diseases.
- Enhance Patient Care: Ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care through continuous education and professional development of healthcare providers.
- Raise Awareness: Increase public awareness about liver health and the importance of early detection and prevention of liver diseases.
Our Community
CASL is a vibrant community of dedicated professionals, including hepatologists, researchers, clinicians, and allied health professionals. We work together to share knowledge, collaborate on research projects, and support each other in our mission to combat liver diseases.
Join Us
Become a part of CASL and contribute to the fight against liver diseases. Whether you are a healthcare professional, researcher, or patient advocate, your involvement can make a difference. Together, we can achieve our goal of improving liver health for all Canadians.
Acknowledgments
The information on this page was based on the article written by Jerome B Simon in Can J Gastroenterol. 2012 Sep;26(9):583–586. doi: 10.1155/2012/753986. The author thanks colleagues in CASL who encouraged him to write this article, especially Drs Winnie Wong and Eric Yoshida. He is also grateful for helpful comments provided by Drs Eldon Shaffer, Laurie Blendis, Gerry Minuk, Lloyd Sutherland, Woody Fisher, Eve Roberts and Sam Lee.
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