Incorporated June 2009
Mission Statement
The mission of the Florida, Puerto Rico & the Caribbean Chapter of ASMBS is to advance the care and treatment of individuals affected by obesity through education, collaboration, and advocacy. We are focused on improving quality of care, ending weight bias and obesity stigma, and providing equitable access for all. Our goal is to foster collaboration among all healthcare professionals, policy makers, and the public to build a comprehensive approach to the care of obesity and to encourage further research into etiology, prevention, and treatment of this complex disease.
Executive Officers
President: Onur Kutlu, MD MPH FACS FASMBS
President-Elect: Enrique Fernando Elli, MD FACS FASMBS
Treasurer: Donald Fridley, DO FACOS FASMBS
Past President and Member at Large/Bylaws Chair: Christopher DuCoin, MD MPH FACS
Member at Large Region 1 (North): Ben Veenstra , MD FACS FASMBS
Member at Large Region 2 (Central): Shiva Seetahal , MD FACS FASMBS
Member at Large Region 3 (Gulf)/Obesity Medicine Chair: Lisa Ferreira, MD FOMA
Chapter Liaison Region 4: Limaris Barrios MD FACS
Integrated Health President: Gwen Crispell, MSN RN CBN
Integrated Health President-Elect: Aileem Schilling MHSc, RD, LDN
Integrated Health Nurse Member at Large: Lourdes Aponte, MSN-ED RN
Integrated Health Member at Large: Carah Horn, FASMBS-IH MBA-HCA BSN RN CBN
STAR (State Access to Care Representative Florida): Joey Jarrard, MD
STAR (State Access to Care Representative Puerto Rico): Javier Birriel, MD FASC FASMBS
Integrated Health STAR (State Access to Care Representative Florida/Puerto Rico): Carah Horn, MBA-HCA BSN RN FASMBS-IH CBN
Contact
Chapter Meetings & Updates
- Florida, Puerto Rico & Caribbean State Chapter of the ASMBS Meeting
March 17, 2025 at the CCF’s 22nd Surgery of the Foregut Symposium, Hollywood, FL - Psychological Bariatric Consultation Group for Florida Behavioral Health Professionals (ASMBS members only) will meet via Zoom; Contact Ashlyn Douglas-Barnes for details ashlynlcsw@gmail.com
- In August 2019 an Integrated Health Executive Board was added to the chapter
- In December 2017 Puerto Rico & The Caribbean were added to the chapter
Support Groups
Please check with your provider for Support Groups in your area or online.