Cheryl Walsh
ACNP-C
Location : Springdale, AR, USA
BIO
Cheryl Walsh has been a Gastroenterology Nurse Practitioner for over 14 years and currently works with GI Alliance. She has extensive experience providing care to adults with gastrointestinal and liver diseases in an outpatient clinic. She is passionate about building strong relationships with patients, their families and women's health by working as an advocate to achieve their best possible outcomes. She is the lead APP mentor to new practitioners and developed the onboard training used in her clinic.
MASLD-MASH Content Featuring Cheryl
Webcast: MASLD Pharmacotherapy With Cheryl Walsh
October 2025
In this talk, Cheryl Walsh, ACNP-C, reviews modern pharmacotherapy for MASLD/MASH—from foundational lifestyle/weight-loss strategies and GLP-1 receptor agonists to legacy options (vitamin E, pioglitazone) and the FDA-approved resmetirom with practical tips on dosing, monitoring, and drug–drug interactions (e.g., statins, procedure planning). She explains how to triage candidates, set realistic diet/exercise goals, and tailor guidance culturally, while outlining safety considerations (GI adverse effects, anesthesia risk) and follow-up with non-invasive tests. Presented via the GHAPP MASLD Community Network with support from Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, this session equips APPs to slow fibrosis progression and improve outcomes.
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Webcast: MASLD Basics With Cheryl Walsh
October 2025
In this MASLD Basics session of the MASLD & MASH Community Network, Cheryl Walsh, ACNP-C explains the new steatotic liver disease (SLD) nomenclature and how to apply it in practice. She clarifies definitions of MASLD, distinguishes MASH, and introduces overlap with MetALD by reviewing practical alcohol-intake thresholds. Cheryl outlines a stepwise primary-care pathway: start with FIB-4 to risk-stratify fibrosis, then use noninvasive tests such as elastography or the ELF blood test, with ultrasound/MRI as needed—and consider liver biopsy only for discordant or indeterminate results. You’ll learn when to reassess (F0–F1 every 2–3 years; F2–F3 annually with consideration of pharmacotherapy), when to refer to hepatology, and why fibrosis—not steatosis alone—drives prognosis. The talk also highlights global epidemiology, the stigma-reducing benefits of the new terminology, and patient counseling on lifestyle change (Mediterranean-style nutrition, activity, weight management) to alter disease trajectory.
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Common Questions From Primary Care Providers About MASH
October 2025
In this educational video, Cheryl Walsh, ACNP-C, from GI Alliance in Northwest Arkansas, shares practical guidance for primary care providers on how to effectively support patients with elevated liver enzymes. With nearly 15 years of experience in gastroenterology and hepatology, Cheryl explains how simple first steps—such as ordering imaging studies and incorporating the FIB-4 index into lab work—can provide valuable insight into whether a patient may have MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) or even early fibrosis. She highlights how these preliminary evaluations streamline care, allowing hepatology specialists to move forward quickly with advanced imaging or elastography when needed. Cheryl underscores the importance of collaboration between primary care and GI teams to ensure early detection and better patient outcomes in metabolic liver disease.
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PCP Screening for MASH/MASLD: Identifying At-Risk Patients
October 2025
In this educational video, Cheryl Walsh, ACNP-C, from GI Alliance in Arkansas, shares practical guidance on screening for MASH (Metabolic Associated Steatohepatitis) and MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) in the primary care setting. Drawing from over 15 years of experience in gastroenterology, Cheryl highlights how nurse practitioners and advanced practice providers can efficiently identify at-risk patients—particularly those with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or cardiometabolic risk factors such as hypertension and elevated triglycerides. She explains how simple, validated tools like the FIB-4 index and ELF score can be incorporated into routine labs to detect early signs of fibrosis and liver disease progression. Cheryl also discusses communicating positive results, setting appropriate follow-up intervals, and empowering patients through lifestyle modifications and diet counseling. By streamlining screening into busy primary care workflows, clinicians can play a vital role in early detection and prevention of advanced liver disease.
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Management of Lifestyle Modification
January 2025
This video focuses on the comprehensive management of patients with metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), emphasizing lifestyle modifications, dietary adjustments, and exercise strategies. Key topics include the importance of addressing risk factors like diet, exercise habits, and alcohol intake, as well as referrals to medically supervised weight loss clinics or bariatric surgery for advanced cases. The speaker highlights the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, intermittent fasting, and avoiding ultra-processed foods while discussing the role of resistance training to combat sarcopenia and maintain muscle mass. Practical advice and tailored recommendations ensure a holistic approach to managing MASH and improving patient outcomes.
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Third Step of Lifestyle Management
January 2025
This video provides a comprehensive overview of emerging pharmacologic treatments for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and their tailored applications based on patient profiles. Topics include FDA-approved therapies, drugs in advanced clinical trials (such as semaglutide and lanifibranor), and the potential for combination treatments targeting both steatohepatitis and fibrosis. The speaker emphasizes the importance of patient-specific approaches considering metabolic profiles, obesity, and diabetes status, alongside lifestyle interventions. Additionally, the video discusses the evolving interdisciplinary care model and highlights the exciting progress in non-invasive testing and treatment advancements for F2-F3 fibrosis.
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Approved Medication for MASH/NASH
January 2025
This video provides detailed guidance on selecting and monitoring patients for emerging therapies targeting advanced fibrosis (F2-F3) in NASH. Key topics include contraindications for patients with cirrhosis, considerations for concomitant medications, and dose adjustments for statins. The video outlines ideal candidates based on specific thresholds for VCTE, MRE, ELF scores, and other non-invasive tests while emphasizing the importance of ruling out portal hypertension and other liver diseases. It also reviews a stepwise monitoring approach, focusing on tolerability at three months and efficacy assessments at six and twelve months, with an emphasis on histologic and non-invasive test improvements.
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Types of Diet for the Treatment of MASLD
January 2025
This video explores comprehensive strategies for managing metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), focusing on fibrosis risk stratification, lifestyle modifications, and pharmacologic interventions. Learn about dietary recommendations like the Mediterranean diet, exercise guidelines emphasizing resistance training, and the role of intermittent fasting and processed food avoidance. The video also highlights weight loss targets, diabetes management, and emerging therapies such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and bariatric surgery, all aimed at improving liver health and patient outcomes.
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NITs to Identify High Risk MASH Patients
January 2025
Explore advancements in non-invasive diagnostics and risk stratification for liver fibrosis and MASH. This video highlights tools like FIB-4, transient elastography, and innovative scoring systems (e.g., FAST and Agile) to identify and predict outcomes for high-risk patients. Learn about serum biomarkers, updated guidelines, and the role of lifestyle interventions alongside targeted therapies for managing metabolic risks and advancing care in hepatology.
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