Public Education Committee

Chair

Valerie Halpin, MD

Co-Chair

Walter Medlin, MD

Executive Council Liaison

Marina Kurian, MD

Members

Joshua Alley, MD, Immediate Past Chair
Adam Beall, MD
Joy Collins, MD
Carl Pesta, MD
Christopher J. Northup, MD

Michael Seger, MD
Colleen Cook
Irene Lo, MD
Franchell Richard-Hamilton, MD, FASMBS
Richard Peterson, MD

Joanne Prentice, RN, BSN
Joe Nadglowski, Ad hoc
Roger Kissin, Ad hoc
Flavia Soto, MD
James Zervios, OAC ad hoc

ASMBS Staff Liaison

Reba Liddy Hernandez

Mission

To advance the science and understanding of metabolic and bariatric surgery with the intent of improving medical care and treatment of people with obesity and related diseases.

Description

The Public Education Committee is responsible for educating the public on bariatric surgery via printed and web-based materials as well as through the media; i.e. radio, newspaper, television and journals.

Objectives

  • Identify gaps in patient education
  • Identify patient education tools to help ASMBS members

Committee Goals

Short-Term

  • Revising patient learning center articles to ensure up-to- date content
  • Plan initiatives for marketing ASMBS patient video

Mid-Term

  • Create a video course to educate people considering weight loss surgery on important information to know prior to surgery, in conjunction with the Communications Committee
  • Further develop the Public Education Committee web page
  • Translate articles in the Patient Learning Center into Spanish

Long-Term

  • Create a mobile app for people considering weight-loss surgery
  • Expand the marketing of Patient Learning Center content to ASMBS members
  • Continue providing review and updates of patient-focused content

Current Projects

  • Updating & expanding Public Education section of ASMBS website
  • Patient Booklet
  • Motivational Video for society
  • Educational App

Activities Accomplished to Meet the Objectives

  • Submitted articles to connect and for the ASMBS Foundation newsletter