Medical Advisory Council

Julio Gutierrez, MD

Julio Gutierrez, MD, is a hepatologist and gastroenterologist and expert in liver disease. He is well-recognized as an authority in hepatitis B and C (HBV & HCV), fatty liver and alcoholic liver disease. In addition, he specializes in liver cancer, cirrhosis and those who need or had a liver transplant.

Dr. Gutierrez understands the importance of the relationships he has with his patients. Trust is key and Dr. Gutierrez builds that by delivering the best and most advanced care possible. In addition, Dr. Gutierrez discusses the treatment plan with patients and their families which often is the glue that results in patient satisfaction.

Dr. Gutierrez main clinical interest is liver disease, including ultra-rare conditions such as primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), Wilson’s disease, lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) and alpha-1 antitrypsin disease. Additionally, he has clinical interest in ascites, esophageal varices and hepatic encephalopathy. He is also an expert in weight loss and management which aids his patients who are diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Similarly, Dr. Gutierrez practices addiction medicine with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in PWID with hepatitis to deliver the highest-level care.

Research is another passion of Dr. Gutierrez’ and he has over 90 peer-reviewed publications in the field of liver disease. He also participated in the HCV landmark clinical trials while at the Texas Liver Institute using Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs), which ultimately revolutionized the care of patients with hepatitis C. Currently, Dr. Gutierrez is Principal Investigator on early phase studies of NASH and oversees a national screening campaign for the condition. Dr. Gutierrez also continues to study hepatitis C, hepatocellular carcinoma, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as “liver disease related healthcare disparities” since these disproportionately affect Latinos. He is an internationally renowned speaker and has given hundreds of lectures.

Finally, Dr. Gutierrez enjoys spending time with his two daughters and wife, playing guitar and fishing. He and his family also enjoy traveling and are often visiting his wife’s family in Cartagena, Colombia.

Laura Bonebrake, MD, FACOG

Dr. Laura Bonebrake is an OB/Gyn physician who practices in St. Louis, Missouri. Her clinical and research interests are in a rare liver pregnancy condition, Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.

Dr. Bonebrake has a personal connection to ICP as she was diagnosed with this condition in all of her 4 pregnancies. While in her last year of OB residency training, Dr. Bonebrake began having itching during the middle of her first pregnancy. Severe itching is often the only sign of Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and she was soon diagnosed with ICP. Unfortunately, this condition increases the risk of complications including a higher risk of stillbirth during pregnancy. When faced with risks and unknowns in her pregnancy, Dr. Bonebrake used this time to research and study the disorder in the literature, becoming a self-taught expert in the disease.

Dr. Bonebrake uses her unique perspective on Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy to advocate for what truly matters to patients. She has served as a board member and medical advisor for the US based charity, ICP Care, for the past 6 years. This charity educates patients, maintains a fully researched and scientifically accurate webpage, helps patients advocate for their care and works on improving care for ICP patients.

Dr. Bonebrake has launched a patient registry that currently has over 400 enrollees to further characterize ICP pregnancies. She recently hosted several Grand Rounds and Community Conversations each year to educate patients and providers. Dr. Bonebrake has worked with other research firms, patient organizations and pharmaceutical companies to bring about awareness of ICP, and created a postpartum guide for patients with ICP (as the risk of other lifelong liver conditions (including PBC and PFIC) is high in these patients).

Dr. Bonebrake is excited to continue her advocacy and research by joining the PBC Research Foundation. As more collaboration and connections occur in the rare liver disease space, she feels that great change for patients can occur.