HoChong Gilles
DNP, FNP-BC, AF-AASLD
Location : Midlothian, VA, USA
BIO
HoChong Gilles earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Nursing, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2018, she completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice at the University of Virginia.
With over 25 years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner specializing in hepatology, Dr. Gilles currently serves as the Clinical Program Director for the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division and Assistant Director of GI Research in Richmond, Virginia. Her clinical and research interests encompass metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD/MASH), portal hypertension, liver transplantation, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
An active member of the liver disease community, she is proud to hold the designation of Associate Fellow with the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD).
MASLD-MASH Content Featuring HoChong
Common Questions From Community GI About MASH
August 2025
In this educational video, HoChong Gilles, NP—Clinical Program Director at the Central Virginia VA Healthcare System—breaks down practical, non-invasive strategies for evaluating liver fibrosis in community GI and primary care settings. With over 25 years of hepatology experience, she walks through the importance of calculating the FIB-4 score using just four parameters: age, ALT, AST, and platelet count. Learn how to interpret FIB-4 score cutoffs to determine low, indeterminate, or high risk of advanced fibrosis and explore alternative tools like the ELF (Enhanced Liver Fibrosis) test when imaging options are limited. Whether you're a hepatology specialist or a frontline provider, this video offers actionable insights to help bridge the gap in liver care access using guideline-supported lab-based methods.
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Comparing F3 and F4 Fibrosis With Erin Parkinson
July 2025
In this in-depth clinical discussion, Erin Parkinson, NP from the Tampa General Medical Group Transplant Institute, walks through the nuanced process of differentiating stage 3 and stage 4 fibrosis in patients with MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease). Using two illustrative case studies, she explores key clinical signs, lab values, and non-invasive staging tools such as FibroScan, FIB-4, ELF score, and MR elastography. Parkinson discusses the importance of early identification of advanced fibrosis, the reversibility of stage 3 disease, and the implications of a diagnosis of cirrhosis. Erin outlines evidence-based treatment pathways including lifestyle interventions, use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, and initiation of resmetirom (Rezdiffra) for stage 2–3 fibrosis. For cirrhotic patients, the focus shifts to HCC surveillance, screening for clinically significant portal hypertension, and consideration of non-selective beta blockers like carvedilol. This video offers practical insights for hepatology providers navigating the evolving MASLD landscape and highlights how early intervention and accurate staging can impact long-term outcomes.
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Non-Invasive Testing With Erin Tanner
July 2025
In this educational session from the GHAPP MASLD & MASH Community Network, Erin Tanner, PA-C from Gastro Health in Birmingham, Alabama, presents a practical overview of non-invasive testing (NIT) options for evaluating and managing MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) and MASH (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis). Using a patient case study, Erin explores how clinicians can effectively utilize tools like FIB-4, FibroScan® (VCTE and CAP), ELF, MRE, and other emerging imaging and serum biomarkers to assess hepatic steatosis and fibrosis without the need for liver biopsy. The talk breaks down the pros, cons, and clinical accuracy of various NITs—including shear wave elastography, MRI-PDFF, and proprietary serum markers—and offers guidance on how to apply these tools in real-world hepatology and primary care settings. Special attention is given to identifying patients with metabolic risk factors, interpreting indeterminate FIB-4 scores, and knowing when to refer patients for further hepatology evaluation. Whether you’re new to liver disease management or looking to update your MASLD/MASH care pathways, this session offers clarity on how to stratify fibrosis risk and make informed clinical decisions using non-invasive diagnostics.
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Lifestyle Management With Erin Parkinson
July 2025
In this impactful session from the GHAPP MASLD Community Network, Erin Parkinson, NP, explores the vital role of lifestyle modifications in the management of MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) and MASH (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis). Through the lens of a real-world case study, Erin illustrates how clinical tools like FIB-4 and FibroScan® can be used to assess fibrosis risk and guide interventions for patients presenting with metabolic syndrome and hepatic steatosis. With a focus on practical, personalized care, this presentation highlights how diet, exercise, and culturally sensitive counseling can meaningfully reduce hepatic fat, inflammation, and fibrosis—key factors in preventing progression to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Erin discusses the impact of processed foods, high-fructose corn syrup, and sedentary behavior, while offering actionable guidance on introducing Mediterranean diets, intermittent fasting, and realistic exercise goals tailored to individual readiness and barriers. Whether you're a hepatology specialist, primary care provider, or obesity medicine clinician, this talk delivers tools to better support patients with MASLD/MASH through sustainable behavioral change and longitudinal follow-up.
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MASLD Basics With Suzanne Robertazzi
July 2025
Join Suzanne, a nurse practitioner from the Washington DC VA Medical Center, as she kicks off a comprehensive lecture series on steatotic liver disease, focusing on the evolving understanding of MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) and MASH (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis). In this foundational session, Suzanne walks through the new nomenclature replacing NAFLD and NASH, and outlines the clinical criteria used to identify and stratify patients along the MASLD–MASH spectrum. Learn how metabolic risk factors such as obesity, prediabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia contribute to disease progression, and explore the use of non-invasive diagnostic tools like Fib-4, FibroScan, and ELF scores to assess fibrosis. The session also discusses indications for liver biopsy, the implications of overlapping etiologies (like alcohol-associated liver disease), and strategies for identifying patients at high risk for cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver-related mortality. This lecture equips clinicians, particularly those in primary care and hepatology, with a practical framework to evaluate steatosis, interpret metabolic profiles, and determine when to refer patients for specialty care. Whether you're new to liver disease or looking for updates on MASLD and MASH terminology, this session is an essential starting point.
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APP Insight: Common Questions from Community GI About MASH
July 2025
In this episode, HoChong Gilles, DNP, FNP-BC, a seasoned hepatology expert and Clinical Program Director at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, addresses a frequently asked question from primary care and community GI providers: How do you risk stratify patients without access to a FibroScan? Drawing on over 25 years of clinical experience, HoChong outlines practical strategies for assessing liver fibrosis using the FIB-4 score—a simple calculation based on patient age, ALT, AST, and platelet count. She also discusses how tools like the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test, available through Quest or Labcorp, can serve as valuable alternatives in the absence of elastography. Whether you're managing incidental hepatic steatosis or evaluating elevated liver enzymes, this episode offers step-by-step guidance for using non-invasive biomarkers to stratify liver disease risk and guide referrals effectively. Perfect for clinicians in primary care, GI, and hepatology seeking practical, accessible tools for early liver disease assessment.
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Management of Life Style 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 Life Style 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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Differentiating Between F3 and F4
July 2025
In this comprehensive discussion, HoChong Gilles, a nurse practitioner with 25 years of hepatology experience at the Richmond VA Medical Center, explores the critical importance of accurately distinguishing between F3 (advanced fibrosis) and F4 (cirrhosis) in patients with MASH (metabolic-associated steatohepatitis). While both stages carry increased risks of liver-specific and overall mortality, Gilles explains that F3 may still be reversible with lifestyle changes or pharmacotherapy, whereas F4 signals irreversible liver damage with heightened risk of complications like portal hypertension, hepatic encephalopathy, and liver cancer. Viewers will gain a deeper understanding of how non-invasive tests—like FIB-4, ELF, FibroScan, and MRE—perform in identifying fibrosis stage, including their limitations and overlaps. Gilles also outlines when to consider liver biopsy, especially in cases with discordant test results, atypical features, or clinical uncertainty. This video emphasizes how staging accuracy informs eligibility for therapies, surveillance strategies like HCC screening, and overall prognosis. Learn how to approach this nuanced distinction in clinical practice and why F3 vs. F4 isn't just semantics—it's a turning point in patient care.
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FAQ's
Common Questions From Community GI About MASH
August 2025
In this educational video, HoChong Gilles, NP—Clinical Program Director at the Central Virginia VA Healthcare System—breaks down practical, non-invasive strategies for evaluating liver fibrosis in community GI and primary care settings. With over 25 years of hepatology experience, she walks through the importance of calculating the FIB-4 score using just four parameters: age, ALT, AST, and platelet count. Learn how to interpret FIB-4 score cutoffs to determine low, indeterminate, or high risk of advanced fibrosis and explore alternative tools like the ELF (Enhanced Liver Fibrosis) test when imaging options are limited. Whether you're a hepatology specialist or a frontline provider, this video offers actionable insights to help bridge the gap in liver care access using guideline-supported lab-based methods.
Watch Now
APP Insight: Common Questions from Community GI About MASH
July 2025
In this episode, HoChong Gilles, DNP, FNP-BC, a seasoned hepatology expert and Clinical Program Director at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, addresses a frequently asked question from primary care and community GI providers: How do you risk stratify patients without access to a FibroScan? Drawing on over 25 years of clinical experience, HoChong outlines practical strategies for assessing liver fibrosis using the FIB-4 score—a simple calculation based on patient age, ALT, AST, and platelet count. She also discusses how tools like the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test, available through Quest or Labcorp, can serve as valuable alternatives in the absence of elastography. Whether you're managing incidental hepatic steatosis or evaluating elevated liver enzymes, this episode offers step-by-step guidance for using non-invasive biomarkers to stratify liver disease risk and guide referrals effectively. Perfect for clinicians in primary care, GI, and hepatology seeking practical, accessible tools for early liver disease assessment.
Watch Now
