Tennessee State Chapter

Incorporated September 2007

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Mission Statement

The chapter’s specific purposes shall be to study morbid obesity, the metabolic comorbidities associated with morbid obesity, and advance the RRT and science of bariatric and metabolic surgery by:

  1. The encouragement of its members to pursue investigations both in the clinic and laboratory
  2. The interchange of ideas, information, and experience pertaining to bariatric and metabolic surgery
  3. The establishment and promotion of guidelines for patients selection and care
  4. The promotion of improved perioperative and long-term care of patients and the reduction of patient risk
  5. The fostering of educational programs for physicians, paramedical persons, elected officials, state and national health officials, and lay people
  6. The promotion of outcome studies and quality assurance
  7. To be an advocate for patients undergoing metabolic or bariatric surgery

Executive Officers

President: Matthew Spann, MD MMHC FACS FASMBS
Past Presidents: Chris Sanborn, MD, Virginia (Jenny) M. Weaver, MD FACS; Brandon Williams, MD FACS FASMBS
Vice President: Open
Secretary/Treasurer: Open
Integrated Health Chair: Cynthia Blalock, APRN RN
Integrated Health Co-Chair: Sarah Grimes, RN CBN
STAR (State Access to Care Representative): Jessica Ardila-Gatas, MD

Chapter Meetings

We welcome all of our bariatric colleagues in surrounding states to join us. Please feel free to pass on this information to all of those who may be interested.

Chapter Updates

  • 2019 – BCBST now accepts supervised weight loss attempts confirmed by surgery center

Support Groups

  • Various hospital associated support groups

Advocacy Information