A Columbia doctor spearheaded the push to bring an international symposium to New York City that commenced yesterday under the banner of a rarely diagnosed disease.

The entire second floor of the New York Hilton held center stage to about 1,400 advocates, including physicians, gluten-free pastry chefs, and wheatless beer brew-masters, who gathered to raise awareness and share information about Celiac Disease, an autoimmune condition in which sufferers have allergic reactions to gluten, a substance found in wheat.

The seventh bi-annual Celiac Disease Symposium — generally held in Europe, where physicians are more aware of the disease — has arrived in the city thanks to the reputation of Dr. Peter Green, a physician from France who specializes in Celiac Disease, Dr. Christoph Callier, said.

Dr. Green, who practices at Columbia University Medical Center, is at the forefront of experts studying and diagnosing the disease, which, untreated, can lead to cancer, diabetes, infertility, and liver disease.

About 3 million Americans are living with the disease, and 97% are undiagnosed, according to research performed by Dr. Green.

More doctors were trained to diagnose Celiac Disease 30 years ago in his home country of Australia than they are today in America, Dr. Green said yesterday.

About 50 booths lined a large conference room at the Hilton offering informational pamphlets and selling gluten-free delights.

Droves of attendees lined up to try the gluten-free pizzas made by Foods by George. The company’s founder, George Chookazian, quit his job as a stockbroker to start the business after his wife was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Mr. Chookazian honed his craft at the Culinary Institute of America, where he studied Bakery and Pastry Arts.