Community/Independent Practice Committee

Carl Pesta, DO FASMBS
Chair

Blake Movitz, MD
Co-Chair

Colleen Kennedy, MD MBA FACS FASMBS DABS-FPMBS
Board of Directors Liaison

ASMBS Staff Liaison

Leslie Vinson

Members

Jameil Abou-Hanna, MD
Folahan Ayoola, MD FASMBS
Peter Billing, MD FACS
Helmuth Billy, MD
Pascal Bortz, MD FACS DABS-FPMBS
Katie Chapmon, MS RD
Benjamin Clapp, MD FASMBS
Luke Dombert, MD
Kati Duncan, PsyD
Paul Enochs, MD FACS FASMBS
Alexander Fondaw, MD BA
Shawn Garber, MD FACS
Hiram Gonzalez-Ortiz, MD
Paul Kemmeter, MD, Immediate Past Chair
Marina Kurian, MD FACS DABOM DABS FASMBS, Senior Past Chair
Saniea Majid, MD FACS ABOM FASMBS
Sheetal Nijhawan, MD FACS
Joe Northup, MD FASMBS
Kingsley Okai, MD
Lucian Panait, MD MBA
Joshua Pfeiffer, MD FASMBS
Jaime Ponce, MD FACS FIFSO DABOM
Jon Schram, MD
Kyle Thompson, MD
Matthew Weiner, MD

Charge

In alignment with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) mission to elevate global health and quality of life by significantly reducing the impact of obesity and its related illnesses, the Community/Independent Practice Committee is entrusted with representing the interests of independent practitioners within the field. Their mandate includes identifying unique challenges faced by independent practitioners and providing practice-based solutions, addressing best practice guidelines within diverse practice models, monitoring trends in bariatric surgery and endoscopy, and offering educational courses to maximize practices’ success.

Description

The Community/Independent Practice Committee includes surgeon and integrated health section members, and focuses primarily on the clinical aspects of bariatric surgery. Members of the committee hail from various practice settings, including private practices, community hospitals, and nonacademic healthcare systems. Their collective expertise and dedication aim to serve the community and enhance the quality of care in metabolic and bariatric surgery.

Objectives

  • Represent the interests of independent surgeons and integrated health section ASMBS members and in general.
  • Identify and address unique challenges of independent surgeons and integrated health section professionals in the metabolic and bariatric field.
  • Develop educational courses, webinars and videos to address best practice guidelines in diverse practice models, promoting consistency and quality in patient care and resource utilization.
  • Monitor trends in bariatric surgery and endoscopy, communicate results, opportunities and solutions with ASMBS membership.

Goals

  • Enhance advocacy for independent surgeons and integrated health section professionals in the metabolic and bariatric field.
  • Develop practical solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by independent practices to facilitate sustainability and success.
  • Promote consistency and quality in patient care through adherence to best practice guidelines, and empower independent practice members through education and training.
  • Ensure a proactive response to emerging trends.

2024/2025 Projects

  • Denials Appeals Toolkit, Collaboration with Insurance Committee
  • Rural Committee MBSAQIP Accreditation Toolkit – potential benefits for community/independent/private practice
  • Webinar – Compounded GLP-1 Medications; pending Board review of outline
  • Hosted Practice Building Reception at 2024 ASMBS Annual Meeting
  • Host Practice Building Reception at 2025 ASMBS Annual Meeting, Welcome Reception Monday, June 16, 2025

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