Andrea Rigby, PsyD
Chair
Emily Thompson, RD, CSOWM
Co-Chair
Nini Peterson, PhD
IHLC Liaison
Members
Kirsten Tychonievich, MS, SRPN, ANP-C
Jill Welshans, RN, MSN, AG-ACNPC$
Aimee Rothe, BSN, RN, CBN
Beth Czerwony, MS, RD, CSOWM
Chelsea Price, MS, RD, LDN
Hannah Farnsworth, PsyD
Allison Holgerson, PhD, ABPP
Lisa Baro, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC
Stephanie Shaw, BSN, RN
Sheethal Reddy, PhD
ASMBS Staff Partner
Nicola Field, PMP CNP
Description
The mission of the IH Support Group committee is to promote the development of the concept of support groups in the care of bariatric surgical patient; identify the needs of support group leaders and develop strategies to meet these needs; identify, develop and distribute resources for support groups and support group leaders; and encourage the exchange of ideas and networking among support group leaders.
ASMBS Mission(s) Met by the Committee
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 Integrated Health (IH) Section Support Group Committee is entrusted with advancing the concept of support groups in the care of bariatric surgical patients, identifying the needs of support group leaders, developing strategies to meet these needs, and fostering networking and idea exchange among support group leaders.
Description
The IH Section Support Group Committee is dedicated to promoting the establishment and enhancement of support groups for bariatric surgery patients. It focuses on providing resources, education, and networking opportunities for support group leaders to ensure the delivery of effective support services.
Committee Objectives
- Maintain the support group leader manual and provide resources for the education and advancement of support group leaders.
- Support group leader/participant survey to gather feedback, informing future initiatives and improvements.
- Maintain accurate and relevant ASMBS support group listing and program information about support groups, enhancing patient access to these valuable resources.
- Raise awareness among patients of the benefits/necessity for support groups and improve patient access to them.
- Further development, implementation, and advancement of support groups for bariatric surgery patients by the facilitation of the exchange of ideas and networking among support group leaders.
Goals
- Complete and maintain the training material presentations for the support group facilitator training program and continue to provide resources for support group facilitators.
- Maintain the Support Group Manual, update it with virtual resources, and continue to market it to ASMBS members to remain current.
- Present bariatric patient support group information at the ASMBS Annual Meetings.
- Establish and publish best practices for running virtual support groups.
2025 Completed Projects
- Presented at the annual meeting in June 2025
- Launched the Support Group Facilitator Training Program on the ASMBS LMS
Apply to Join a Committee
