Oklahoma/Arkansas State Chapters

Incorporated 2007

Executive Officers

President: Brandon Varnell, MD
Secretary: Zhamak Khorgami, MD
Treasurer: Mohammad Farukhi, MD
Past President: Hamilton Le, MD FASMBS; Luis Gorospe, MD
Integrated Health Chair: Shirley Bearden, RN CBN
STAR (State Access to Care Representative) OK: Zhamak Khorgami, MD
IH STAR (State Access to Care Representative) OK: Kathi Ling, PT DPT WCC
STAR (State Access to Care Representative) AR: Magdy Giurgius, MD FACS
IH STAR (State Access to Care Representative) AR: Christle Loudermilk, RN BSN CBN

Chapter Meetings

No chapter meetings are scheduled at this time.

Chapter Updates

2020

  • All activities for 2020 were cancelled due to COVID.

2018

  • Walk from Obesity Spring 2018

2017

  • State Insurance – Healthchoice began coverage for state employees and teachers in January 2017; 250,000 covered lives affected statewide.
  • Spring 2017 Bariatric Ball

2016

  • We were successful in lobbying the state insurance, HealthChoice, to provide bariatric benefits for teachers and state employees starting January 1, 2017.
  • May 14, 2016 Walk from Obesity – 125 participants

2015

  • Lobbying state health insurance for bariatric benefits; they are conducting their own pilot to prove feasibility and cost effect benefits.

Support Groups

Advocacy Information