What is a "Bariatric Center of Excellence?"

Professional membership

 

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Download ASMBS Integrated Health Application
Download ASMBS Physician Application
Download ASMBS Regular Letter of Recomendation Form (Surgeon and Physician Applicants Only)
Download Chief of Staff/Chief of Surgery Letter of Recomendation Form
Download Integrated Health Letter of Recommendation Form
Download Fellow of the ASMBS Application Form
International Fellow of the ASMBS Application Form

MEMBERSHIP

Regular Membership- A general surgeon who is one of the following:
• Certified by the American Board of Surgery
• Certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery
• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
• Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons

and has performed a minimum of 25 bariatric procedures as the primary surgeon within the past two years. (supporting forms by one Regular ASMBS member and one from the Chief of Surgery/Staff of their primary hospital).

Affiliate Surgeon Membership*- A general surgeon who is NOT:
• Certified by the American Board of Surgery
• Certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery
• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
• Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
and/or has NOT performed a minimum of 25 bariatric procedures as the primary surgeon.

Affliate Physician Membership*- A medical doctor who is not a surgeon.

Medical Student/Resident/Fellow*- A medical student, resident or fellow who is training in the field of bariatric surgery (medical students and residents and fellows must reapply for Affiliate Surgeon or Regular Membership.)

Associate Member* - Integrated Health care professional.

Honorary Member - Nonmember who has made outstanding contributions to the field of bariatric surgery.

Senior Member - Regular, affiliate or associate member who has been in good standing for 25 or more years or has reached the age of 65.

Distinguished Member - Member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of bariatric surgery.

* Supporting letter/form by one Regular member required

ASMBS MEETINGS

The society sponsors an Annual Meeting, traditionally in June, which brings together the world’s leading surgeons and other interested health care professionals. This meeting includes a plenary session as well as surgeon and Integrated Health courses.

Plenary Session- Plenary Session includes the Annual Edward E. Mason Founders Lecture, a basic sciences Distinguised Lectureship, poster and video presentations and an award for the John Halverson Young Investigators Award.

An informative vendor’s exhibit runs concurrently with the meeting.

Surgeons Courses- For surgeons, new and seasoned, addressing important areas and issues associated with bariatric surgery including an overview of the surgical approach to the management of the morbidly obese patient. Courses include: Essentials in Bariatric Surgery, Advanced Bariatric Surgery Course, Postgraduate Masters’ Course, Laparoscopic Cadaver Lab and Advanced Suturing Course.

Integrated Health Courses- Designed for the multi-disciplinary Integrated Health science workers including nurses, dietitians, psychologists, psychiatrists, physician assistants, social workers, patient counselors, program managers and others interested in the facets supportive of the bariatric surgical practice and research. Courses include: Integrated Health General Session, Integrated Health Essentials, Integrated Health Advanced Surgical Support, Integrated Health Master’s Course, OR Nurse and Surgical Technician Course, and Post-graduate Courses. The aforementioned courses are held at various times and locations around the country. ASMBS members receive reduced registration at the ASMBS Annual Meeting and Ancillary courses.

ASMBS APPROVED FELLOWSHIPS

Bariatric surgery fellowships that meet the qualifications set forth by the ASMBS whose purpose is to provide fully qualified general surgeons with the opportunity to gain sufficient experience in bariatric surgery to independently conduct their own high quality bariatric surgery program.

COMMITTEES

The Society plays an active role in promoting obesity surgery with committees whose tasks include pursuing improvement in the insurance milieu, development and dissemination of information about surgical and patient care equipment, evolution of care standards, and involvement in malpractice litigation related to bariatric surgery.

WEBSITE

The ASMBS maintains a web site at www.ASMBS.org, in which can be found a listing of members with contact information along with general and patient orientated material. A password protected, member’s only section, is also included.

NEWSLETTER

Periodically, the Society publishes a more informal newsletter for its members providing timely news, etc.

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases (SOARD), the official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery is an international journal devoted to the publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts of the highest quality with objective data regarding techniques for the treatment of severe obesity. Articles document the effects of surgically induced weight loss on obesity physiological, psychiatric and social co-morbidities. The Editorial Board includes internationally prominent individuals who are devoted to the optimal treatment of the severely obese and include internists, psychiatrists, surgeons, and nutritional experts. Manuscripts are blindly reviewed without the reviewers’ knowledge of the author’s, institution or country of origin. Members receive the journal 6 times a year as part of their annual membership dues.

AFFILIATIONS

Representatives on the American College of Surgeons Board of Governors Member, Special Services Section of the American Medical Association.

MEMBERSHIP IN IFSO

The ASMBS is a founding member of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO). As such, each member of the ASMBS automatically becomes a member of IFSO, providing the privileges of the organization as well. Chief among these are the IFSO International Obesity Congresses held at various sites worldwide.