In the news...
This announcement was in The Flint Journal yesterday (May 24th) and I thought I would share with you.... Go Hurley!!
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-36/1148480475144360.xml&coll=5
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
By Shantell M. Kirkendoll
[email protected] ? 810.766.6366
FLINT - Hurley Medical Center's weight loss program has gained a national honor making it one of the best places in the country for gastric bypass surgery.
The American College of Surgeons has granted Level 1 accreditation status to Hurley's Bariatric Surgery Center for its successful performance of gastric bypass, which helps people lose weight by reducing the size of their stomachs.
The hospital announced the accreditation during a news conference Tuesday.
"I am proud of our bariatric center for achieving this honor," Dr. Farouck Obeid, surgical director of the Hurley Bariatric Center, said in a statement.
Hurley is the only hospital in Michigan, and one of only five in the U.S. to earn full accreditation for bariatric surgery, which is gastric bypass and gastric banding procedures.
The surgeons group created the accreditation process to apply standards to what's become a $2-billion industry and performed on patients at least 100 pounds overweight.
Bariatric surgery is the most effective way to drop those pounds but has a high death rate and serious risk for complications.
The best outcomes though are by experienced surgeons who do the procedures frequently.
"In many cases this surgery ends their need for diabetic and heart medications and eliminates (obesity-related health problems) forever," Obeid said. "But most importantly, these patients have their health back and a new outlook on life."
Terri Banacki, 37, a Grand Blanc postal worker, had bariatric surgery at Hurley in May 2005 and has lost 110 pounds. She had high blood pressure and arthritis aggravated by the extra weight on her joints.
"I look better and I feel better," said Banacki, who stands 5 foot 2 and topped the scales at 255 pounds. "I know it seems drastic, but nothing else had worked, not even bribing each other at work."
Of the millions of obese Americans, more than 100,000 a year turn to bariatric surgeries. Hurley's new label is likely to draw patients looking for the safest programs.
It also opens a door for Medicare patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services benefit only applies if patients use a hospital, like Hurley, that has passed certain criteria.
The four other U.S. centers with accredited bariatric surgery centers are Evanston Northwestern Hospital in Evanston, Ill.; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston; Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, Wis., according to the ACOS Web site.
Hospitals must be a high-volume center with more than 125 procedures a year to qualify for Level 1 status. They also must have low death and complications rates in data evaluated by the ACOS. Hurley averages about 400 procedures annually, and Obeid said the hospital's bariatric surgery death rate is less than 1 percent.
***
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-36/1148480475144360.xml&coll=5
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
By Shantell M. Kirkendoll
[email protected] ? 810.766.6366
FLINT - Hurley Medical Center's weight loss program has gained a national honor making it one of the best places in the country for gastric bypass surgery.
The American College of Surgeons has granted Level 1 accreditation status to Hurley's Bariatric Surgery Center for its successful performance of gastric bypass, which helps people lose weight by reducing the size of their stomachs.
The hospital announced the accreditation during a news conference Tuesday.
"I am proud of our bariatric center for achieving this honor," Dr. Farouck Obeid, surgical director of the Hurley Bariatric Center, said in a statement.
Hurley is the only hospital in Michigan, and one of only five in the U.S. to earn full accreditation for bariatric surgery, which is gastric bypass and gastric banding procedures.
The surgeons group created the accreditation process to apply standards to what's become a $2-billion industry and performed on patients at least 100 pounds overweight.
Bariatric surgery is the most effective way to drop those pounds but has a high death rate and serious risk for complications.
The best outcomes though are by experienced surgeons who do the procedures frequently.
"In many cases this surgery ends their need for diabetic and heart medications and eliminates (obesity-related health problems) forever," Obeid said. "But most importantly, these patients have their health back and a new outlook on life."
Terri Banacki, 37, a Grand Blanc postal worker, had bariatric surgery at Hurley in May 2005 and has lost 110 pounds. She had high blood pressure and arthritis aggravated by the extra weight on her joints.
"I look better and I feel better," said Banacki, who stands 5 foot 2 and topped the scales at 255 pounds. "I know it seems drastic, but nothing else had worked, not even bribing each other at work."
Of the millions of obese Americans, more than 100,000 a year turn to bariatric surgeries. Hurley's new label is likely to draw patients looking for the safest programs.
It also opens a door for Medicare patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services benefit only applies if patients use a hospital, like Hurley, that has passed certain criteria.
The four other U.S. centers with accredited bariatric surgery centers are Evanston Northwestern Hospital in Evanston, Ill.; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston; Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, Wis., according to the ACOS Web site.
Hospitals must be a high-volume center with more than 125 procedures a year to qualify for Level 1 status. They also must have low death and complications rates in data evaluated by the ACOS. Hurley averages about 400 procedures annually, and Obeid said the hospital's bariatric surgery death rate is less than 1 percent.
*** 
Thanks for posting this. I just called them and I am getting their information too now and I am going to sign up for a seminar with them.. They don't have their June schedule yet but as soon as they do they are going to call me.
They gave me all the information I need about my insurance and what I will need to do and what my approximate out-of-pocket costs may be.
I am amazed. I am more impressed with tham after talking on the phone for 5 minutes than I have been with any of the places I have checked out so far. I am really glad you posted this. Thanks again!
Shawn
287
I was very excited when I saw that in the paper. Acutally, Fox66 had a report last night (after American Idol) about their press release. This is such good news for Michigan.... I wish you lots of luck in your journey. I could not be happier with the folks at Hurley. They are first class all the way....
Keep us posted on how things go for you.
HUGS!
Brandee
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