Robin Soto
RN, MSN, FNP-BC
Introduction
Location : San Diego, CA, USA
Specialty : MASLD
BIO
Robin Soto is a Family Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years of clinical experience. She earned her Master's in Nursing from The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, where she was both a National Health Service Corps Scholar and a Peace Corps Fellow. Robin has served as a Hepatology Nurse Practitioner at UC San Diego Health Hepatology since 2016.
As an active member of the Eliminate Hep C San Diego County initiative, Robin serves on the Access, Testing, Treatment and Prevention committee, where she helped develop the Recommendations report and Implementation Plan adopted by the San Diego Board of Supervisors. Her excellence has been recognized with the 2019 Mid-Career Hepatology Associates Scholar Award from AASLD and the 2018 Patrons of Nursing Professional Certification Scholarship from UC San Diego Health.
Robin contributes to the UC San Diego Health Interdisciplinary Practice Committee and is an accomplished national speaker, presenting at prestigious events including Digestive Disease Week and The Liver Meeting. In 2022, she was selected as the inaugural speaker for UC San Diego Health APP Grand Rounds.
When not advancing hepatology care, Robin enjoys traveling with friends in search of great wine and food, spending time with her rescue dogs, and exploring San Diego with her husband.
Highlighted Events
GHAPP Eighth Annual Conference
September 04 @ 12:00 pm - September 06 @ 12:00 pm MDT
About the 2025 GHAPP Conference The GHAPP conference is the only conference specifically designed by advanced practice providers (APPs) for the pur..
Pacific Northwest GI & Liver Update
October 03 @ 12:00 pm - October 04 @ 12:00 pm PST
The 2025 Pacific Northwest GI and Liver Conference will deliver focused educational updates highlighting clinically relevant advances in the managemen..
MASLD-MASH Content Featuring Robin
APP Insight: Misconceptions About Liver Health
At June 30, 2025
In this video, Kelly Smeester, PA-C from South Denver Gastroenterology, addresses some of the most common and harmful misconceptions about liver health. One major myth she tackles is the belief that liver disease only affects those who drink excessive amounts of alcohol. Kelly explains that liver disease has many causes—including autoimmune conditions, viral infections, and metabolic dysfunction—meaning even individuals who don’t drink at all may still be at risk. She emphasizes the dangers of relying on unregulated “liver detox” supplements, clarifying that the liver is a natural detox organ and doesn’t require external cleanses, which may actually do more harm than good. Kelly also highlights how liver disease can be entirely asymptomatic, particularly in patients with conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Finally, she reinforces that cirrhosis is not solely alcohol-related and can result from steatotic liver disease, making regular liver evaluations and screenings crucial for early detection and management. This video is an essential resource for patients and providers aiming to better understand liver health beyond outdated myths.
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APP Insight: Common Questions from Community GI About MASH
At June 30, 2025
In this informative video, Janet Gripshover, DNP, FNP-BC, and nurse manager for the liver transplant program at Cedars-Sinai, answers key questions about managing MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatohepatitis) and navigating non-invasive testing. She addresses a common clinical challenge—what to do when FIB-4 and FibroScan results are discordant. Janet explains that while non-invasive tests are useful, they're not foolproof, and when results are unclear—especially in patients with significant metabolic risk factors—liver biopsy remains the gold standard for accurate diagnosis. She also shares expert recommendations on dietary changes for patients with fatty liver disease, emphasizing alcohol avoidance, high-protein, low-fat, and lower-carb diets, as well as achievable weight loss goals (around 5% of body weight). Janet highlights when to escalate care beyond lifestyle interventions—typically after 3 to 6 months if there’s no improvement—and discusses options such as pharmacologic therapy or bariatric surgery. This video provides practical, evidence-based guidance for healthcare providers managing the complexities of MASLD and MASH.
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APP Insight: Misconceptions About Liver Health
At June 30, 2025
In this video, Christina Hanson, FNP-C, from South Denver Gastroenterology, dispels common myths around liver health and highlights a critical shift in how we identify and manage fatty liver disease. With the updated terminology from NAFLD/NASH to MASLD/MASH—Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease—Christina explains how the new name more accurately reflects the underlying cardiometabolic drivers of the condition, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. She emphasizes that liver enzyme abnormalities or incidental imaging findings should no longer be the only triggers for evaluation. Instead, clinicians—especially in primary care and endocrinology—should proactively screen high-risk patients using non-invasive tools like FIB-4 to assess for liver fibrosis. With over 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes and up to 90% of those with morbid obesity at risk for coexisting fatty liver, early identification and triage are vital to improving outcomes. This is a must-watch for healthcare providers seeking practical, guideline-driven strategies for detecting MASLD and MASH in everyday clinical practice.
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APP Insight: Common Questions from Primary Care Providers About MASH
At June 30, 2025
In this informative video, Michelle Barnett, PA-C, a hepatology expert based in Colorado Springs, answers frequently asked questions about elevated liver enzymes in the context of MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatohepatitis) and MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease). She breaks down how to interpret common liver enzyme patterns—such as ALT greater than AST versus AST greater than ALT—and what these patterns may indicate, from MASH to alcohol-related liver disease and other potential causes like autoimmune hepatitis or drug-induced liver injury. Michelle outlines how to perform a thorough workup, including patient history, medication review, and physical exam findings, and emphasizes the importance of using tools like FIB-4 and abdominal ultrasound to assess for fibrosis and portal hypertension. The discussion also covers the clinical value of GGT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, albumin, and platelets in evaluating liver function. Michelle shares practical guidance on when to refer patients to hepatology and how to monitor liver enzymes over time, particularly in those undergoing lifestyle changes or pharmacologic treatment. This comprehensive Q&A is an essential resource for providers managing patients with suspected or confirmed metabolic liver disease.
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Updates On Approved Treatments for MASH
At January 24, 2025
Join Robin Soto, NP, for an engaging session at the MASH Boot Camp during the 2024 GHAPP National Conference as she provides updates on improved treatments for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Robin dives into the mechanisms of action, key clinical data, and prescribing guidelines for current therapies, including groundbreaking updates from the MAESTRO-NASH study. She also explores the game-changing potential of FDA-approved therapies like Resmetirom, offering insights into its efficacy, safety, and impact on patients with at-risk fibrosis.
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Management of Life Style Modification
At January 23, 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
At January 23, 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
At January 23, 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
At January 23, 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
At January 23, 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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What is Resmetirom and how does it work to treat MASH?
At January 23, 2025
Thank you to Madrigal for sponsoring the Medication Review Video Module. In this GHAPP Medication Review video, Robin Soto, a board-certified nurse practitioner at UC San Diego Health Hepatology, explains the mechanism of action of Resmetirom, the first and only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of MASH in adults with mild to moderate fibrosis (F2-F3). Robin describes how Resmetirom, a liver-directed, thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist, targets liver fat accumulation, promoting fatty acid oxidation and improving cholesterol metabolism. She highlights its anti-inflammatory effects and ability to reduce liver fibrosis by selectively activating receptors in the liver, while minimizing systemic side effects. For more information, visit the GHAPP website and ACE app.
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MASH Bootcamp Q&A
At March 13, 2025
In this interactive Q&A session, a panel of liver disease experts discusses key challenges in diagnosing and treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) using non-invasive testing and the latest therapeutic advancements. The panel explores the role of FibroScan, ELF scores, and cardiometabolic risk factors in diagnosing fibrosis, especially in patients with limited access to MRI or VCTE-based assessments. They also discuss how serologic testing can be a viable alternative in resource-limited settings and when a liver biopsy may not be necessary for diagnosis. The discussion highlights the FDA approval criteria for Resmetirom, its limitations in F4 patients, and practical strategies for determining treatment eligibility. The experts address real-world challenges, including diagnosing MASH in rural areas, evaluating confounding factors in fibrosis assessment, and ensuring comprehensive liver disease workups to rule out autoimmune conditions.
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Podcast: Pharmacotherapy for MASH/MASLD: An Overview
At Jun 30, 2025
In this comprehensive episode, Christina Hanson, FNP-C at South Denver GI, provides an in-depth overview of pharmacotherapy for MASLD and MASH, with a focus on the FDA-approved therapy resmetirom (brand name Rezdiffra). Drawing on over 18 years of experience in hepatology and GI care, Christina explains the histologic endpoints used in clinical trials—MASH resolution and fibrosis improvement without worsening disease—and how they guided the approval of resmetirom. She breaks down the drug’s mechanism of action as a selective thyroid hormone receptor beta (THR-β) agonist, which promotes lipid metabolism and reduces liver inflammation without systemic toxicity. Christina reviews key Phase 3 data from the MAESTRO-NASH trial, showing resmetirom’s significant impact on both MASH resolution and fibrosis regression across diverse patient populations. She also outlines criteria for appropriate patient selection (those with stage F2-F3 fibrosis), clinical monitoring strategies, and management of side effects like transient GI discomfort. Christina emphasizes the importance of baseline screening for liver disease, autoimmune conditions, thyroid function, and lipid levels before initiating therapy. She highlights best practices from the 2024 AASLD guidelines for ongoing monitoring and treatment response assessment, including ALT and liver stiffness thresholds that help determine whether to continue or discontinue therapy. This episode is a must-watch for hepatology clinicians looking to implement evidence-based, patient-centered strategies in the management of MASH.
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Podcast: LFTs Demystified: A Practical Guide for APPs
At Jun 30, 2025
In this podcast episode, Michelle Barnett, PA-C, a liver disease specialist based in Colorado Springs, provides a clear and practical overview on demystifying liver enzyme abnormalities—particularly in the context of MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatohepatitis) and MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease). With MASLD affecting nearly 1 in 4 American adults, understanding liver enzyme patterns is critical for early detection and effective management. Michelle breaks down commonly reported values from hepatic function panels—ALT, ALP (alkaline phosphatase), and total bilirubin—explaining what constitutes normal, acute, subacute, and chronic elevations. She walks through hepatocellular, cholestatic, mixed, and isolated hyperbilirubinemia patterns and what they reveal about underlying liver conditions such as MASH, alcohol-associated liver disease, viral hepatitis, biliary obstruction, and drug-induced liver injury. Whether you're a provider or a patient looking to better understand lab results, this episode delivers expert guidance on interpreting liver enzyme elevations to support more informed clinical decisions.
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