Karen Flanders MSN, ARNP, CBN
Chair
Ron Permenter, MSN, RN, CBN
Co-Chair
Kellie Armstrong, MSN, RN, CBN
IHSEC Liaison
Karen Groller, PhD RN CV-BC CMSRN
IHSEC Liaison
Members
Shirley Bearden, RN CBN
Heidi Bednarchuk, MSN APRN CNS CBN
Mara Berman, RN BSN MBA CNOR CBN
Laura Boyer, FNP-C CBN
Kimberly Cole, RN CBN
Veronica Cook, RN MSN CBN
Ruth Davis, RN BSN MBA CBN
Susan Dugan, RN BSN CBN
Nicole Forryan, MS, RN, CBN
Bill Gourash, PhD, CRNP, RN
Sharon Hillgartner, RN CBN
Cheryl Holsworth, RN BSN MSA CBN
Carah Horn, MBA-HCA BSN RN CBN
Tracy Martinez, BSN RN CBN
Monique McLaurin, MSN FNP-BC CBN
Marcela Montemayor, RN, CBN
Angela Munro, RN, BSN, CBN
Carmela Pontillo, RN, MSN, CBN
Bobbie Lou Price, MSN RN CBN
Melissa Rowan, RN BSN CBN
Karen Schulz, MSN CNS CBN
Mary Ellen Sparks, RN CBN
Judy Tsurtani, RN CBN
Staff Liaison
- Morgan Matlock
Charge:
The Integrated Health Certified Bariatric Nurse (IH CBN) Committee’s mission is to enhance and promote the specialty of bariatric nursing care, to assess the professional competence of practitioners of bariatric nursing and provide the premier credential to professional nurses caring for patients with obesity and bariatric surgical patients.
Description:
The IH CBN Committee aims to recognize and certify nurses who possess specialized skills and knowledge required for the delivery of quality patient care for patients with obesity and bariatric surgery patients.
Objectives:
- Evaluate the professional competence of nurses in the field of bariatric nursing by evaluating their knowledge, skills, and abilities to ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care.
- Promote continuous professional development, encouraging lifelong learning among nurses caring for bariatric surgery patients.
- Elevate the specialty recognition and status of bariatric nursing as a specialized field within the nursing profession.
- Provide the certification and credential to professional nurses in recognition of their expertise and dedication to bariatric patient care.
Goals:
- Continuous review and update of certification standards and examination content to ensure alignment with evolving best practices and evidence-based guidelines in metabolic and bariatric surgery nursing care.
- Prepare for and pursue accreditation for the CBN credential for certified bariatric nurses.
- Facilitate, streamline and improve the process for nurses to pursue and obtain the Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) credential.
- Promote awareness of the benefits and value of the CBN credential among nurses, their employers, and healthcare organizations through targeted educational initiatives and promotional campaigns.
- Expand outreach efforts and collaboration via partnerships with nursing associations, healthcare institutions, and industry stakeholders to facilitate collaboration in advancing metabolic and bariatric surgery nursing care.
- Revise and update CBN exam preparation educational materials and explore other opportunities for education.
Apply to Join a Committee
