September 2022 Edition
1. Presidential Messages
Teresa LaMasters, MD FACS FASMBS DABOM and Paul Davidson, PhD deliver the monthly Presidential Video Message. Hear about the current state of the Society and upcoming events.
ASMBS Presidential Message
This video has been archived.
ASMBS Integrated Health Presidential Message
This video has been archived.
2. Education & Events
September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month!
ASMBS/IFSO Indications for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
In 1991 the National Institutes of Health published a Statement on gastrointestinal surgery for severe obesity, based on expert opinion and medical knowledge available at the time, which has served providers, insurers, hospitals, and patients as a standard for indications for bariatric surgery.
Since then, over the past 30 years, there have been significant advances in the understanding of the disease of obesity, its management in general, and metabolic and bariatric surgery specifically. The leaderships of ASMBS and IFSO have convened to update the 1991 NIH Consensus Statement, and produce a joint statement on the current available scientific information on metabolic and bariatric surgery and its indications
IH Networking Hour Featuring Bariatric Coordinators
Open to all ASMBS IH Members. The IH Communications Committee will host networking sessions for IH Members to discuss topics. The September event will feature Bariatric Coordinators.
Community/Independent Practice Committee “PRACTICE MANAGEMENT DISASTERS: FAILED STAFFING DECISIONS” Webinar 9/27 at 7 PM EST
This webinar will present lessons learned from past staffing mistakes from the perspectives of two surgeon employers and an integrated health employee. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Blake Movitz, MD. Presentations by Dr. Paul Kemmeter, MD FACS, focus on the errors of building a practice around one person, Dr. Sheetal Nijhawan, FACS, the difficulties in retaining staff, and Jackie Nelson, MSN RN FNP-BC, the lack of practice support for an employee. Following the presentations will be a live question-and-answer segment.
ASMBS Surgical Technique and Advanced Robotics Training (START) Program
The ASMBS START Program will consist of faculty-led virtual didactic sessions, local mentoring by an experienced bariatric robotics surgeon, and hands-on mentoring experiences at Intuitive facilities with the da Vinci Surgical System.
This pilot training pathway is open to a maximum of 15 fellows for the 2022-2023 academic year. Virtual didactic sessions will be open to all fellow trainees. The application window will be from September 1st-30th, 2022. Visit our website for additional information and to submit your application!
Fellowship Training Certificate Applications – Accepted through October 1, 2022
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) President, Teresa LaMasters, MD, FACS, DABOM, FASMBS, and Bariatric Surgery Training Committee Chair, Adrian Dan, MD, are pleased to announce the 2022-2023 Fellowship Certificate Program for graduates of a Fellowship Council accredited program.
The application window is still open! Submit the completed application form and all accompanying documentation electronically, in a single PDF document to Morgan@asmbs.org. Applicants will receive an electronic confirmation email within 48 hours of submission. If you do not receive this email confirmation, please feel free to contact ASMBS at 352-331-4900 x121.
For Details on How to Apply,Click Here.
ASMBS Weekend 2022 Registration is Open!
Now is the time to get your calls covered!
Join your colleagues for an intimate learning and networking experience in historic San Antonio, TX.
Check out the special student pricing for AWE22.
Focused Practice Designation Review Course at AWE22 | November 10th, 8:00 – 5:00 PM, CST
ASMBS Weekend will feature an additional ticketed event, providing a comprehensive review course designed to enhance the understanding of high-yield topics in metabolic and bariatric surgery. In addition to expanding the existing knowledge of obesity and its treatments, the course will also prepare attendees to succeed on the American Board of Surgery Bariatric Surgery FPD examination.
You must select the course option when completing the online registration to attend.
ASMBS Leadership Academy | November 9th – 10th, 2022
The 2nd Annual ASMBS Leadership Academy is a unique career development seminar and workshop for bariatric/advanced GI MIS fellows. The 2nd Annual event will take place November 9th and 10th, 2022, in San Antonio, TX. Fellows will have the opportunity to learn from esteemed faculty, ASMBS Executive Committee members, their peers, and industry experts. The program will provide young surgeons with tools they’ll need to successfully navigate life after fellowship and prepare them to become leaders in their practices, communities, and the field as a whole.
Interested Fellows should contactevents@asmbs.orgtoday to reeserve their spot at the 2nd Annual ASMBS Leadership Academy!
ASMBS will also host the ASMBS 2022 Weekend Meeting, following the 2nd Annual ASMBS Leadership Academy, on November 11th-12th, 2022, with reduced registration to fellows.
Foundation Events
3. Committee Updates
“Cons of Private Equity” video
Watch Dr.Kemmeter, ASMBS Community/Independent Practice Committee Chair, discuss the cons of private equity. The pros of equity were discussed last month. Which side do you think won? Let us know through our polls on social media.
New IH Clinical Issues Committee “Consensus statement on laparoscopic adjustable gastric band management”
To read the consensus statement,Click Here.
4. Membership News
Updated ASMBS Mission Statement
The mission of the society is to improve the lives of people with obesity and related diseases by advancing the art and science of metabolic and bariatric surgery and other interventions by:
- Continuously improving the care and treatment of people suffering from obesity.
- Advancing the science and understanding of metabolic and bariatric surgery.
- Fostering communication between health professionals on obesity and related conditions.
- Being the recognized authority and resource on metabolic and bariatric surgery.
- Advocating for people with obesity to ensure access to high quality treatment.
- Serving the educational and professional needs of our diverse membership.
Do you have an idea for a webinar?
The Integrated Health Communication Committee is looking for your ideas! Do you have a topic that you feel will benefit other integrated health professionals? Are you a new member looking for speaking opportunities? Complete the IH webinar proposal form and work with the IH Communications Committee to bring your ideas to life.
5. Advocacy & Access to Care
Access to State’s Advocacy Resources
Did you know you can easily access your state’s advocacy resources via your ASMBS State Chapter’spage? When you click on “View the Essential Health Benefits Toolkit for State” you are directed to the 1) Contact Information for Key Policymakers and 2) Obesity Fact Sheet.
Virginia Medicaid Update
Virginia Medicaid requested provider comments on AOMs by 8/18/22:
In their September Medicaid meeting, the P&T Committee for Medicaid that decides on the Common Core Formulary for all Medications on Medicaid Plans is considering adding Anti-Obesity Meds as a closed class of drugs. Currently, AOMs are not a class of drugs on the formulary but are available through a Prior Authorization (PA) process. The DMAS (Department of Medicaid Services) has a very acceptable PA but the other managed care organizations like Anthem Healthkeepers, Molina, or United Community are only recommended to use their criteria for PA. Some of MCOs have made very stringent criteria. By adding a closed class to the formulary all MCOs would be required to follow the DMAS Prior Auth which would be better for providers and patients. The full agenda for the Medicaid Meeting on 9/15/23 can be found here.