St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers has been named as a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The ASMBS Center of Excellence designation recognizes programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric (gastric bypass and Lap-Band) weight loss surgery.

“This national accreditation reaffirms the safety, support, quality care and positive outcomes for our patients,” said Dr. Jonathan Mandelbaum, surgical co-director at the St. Francis Weight Loss Center, where more than 700 surgical procedures have taken place since its opening in 2002.

This honor is the result of years of dedicated service by our surgeons, nurses, bariatric staff and of course, our hospital. We know that when excellence such as this is achieved, our patients are the ones who benefit.

To earn a Center of Excellence designation, the St. Francis Weight Loss Center and St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers underwent a series of site inspections during which all aspects of the program's surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes was collected.

Faced with clinical evidence that the most experienced and best-run bariatric surgery programs have by far the lowest rates of complications, the ASBS Centers of Excellence program was created to recognize bariatric surgery centers that perform well and to help surgeons and hospitals continue to improve the quality and safety of care provided.

“Bariatric surgery is a last resort for morbidly obese patients, not a quick fix, and is effective when paired with such life-style changes as diet and exercise,” noted Dr. Steven M. Clark, surgical co-director, adding, “Surgery is just one component of the program. We also provide psychological evaluations, nutritional counseling, support groups and follow-up care that helps patients maintain a healthy lifestyle after surgery.”