2025 ANNUAL REPORT / FLORIDA HEALTHY LIVER PROGRAM™ 33
Photo: Susan Hayes chats with Whiddon after her scan. Susan’ s condition is being treated with medication, while Gabriella is able to control her issue with lifestyle changes.
So far, the study is quickly proving these assumptions to be true. With data in hand, and stories like Gabriella’ s and Susan’ s, the Florida Healthy Liver Program is approaching industry partners and private donors to help fund the cost of scanners so they can be placed in more physician offices.
What does the future hold? For Susan, it means controlling her ailment with medication and routine checkups. For Gabriella, her mom says she hopes it leads to a healthier lifestyle and, if the scanner becomes more prevalent in physician offices, a healthier community.
“ This would be a great help to other people,” Rosaria said.“ And, if Gabriella can do it, you can do it. You just have to push yourself to better yourself, but you can do it!”
What is the Healthy Liver Program?
The Florida Healthy Liver Program™ began when Mayo Clinic in Florida donated an Echosens Fibroscan to FSU PrimaryHealth™, an FSU Health clinical practice located in an area of southwest Tallahassee, Florida, that was considered a“ health care desert” before the clinic opened in 2019.
Since primary care settings are usually the first line of defense for patients, the goal of the program is to scale the pilot to six other clinics— and private support is vital to make this happen. The program will further define the role and benefits of primary care liver disease screening, to include treatment of earlier stage disease with gastroenterologists and promote multidisciplinary management.
The Florida Healthy Liver Program will prove effective in broader population screening for liver fibrosis in primary care and will expand its scope by further engaging federal, industry and legislative support to protect the health of our communities.
To learn more about the program or how to make a gift, visit med. fsu. edu / healthyliver.