The ASMBS gives members an opportunity to be involved in committees that impact research, education, patient access, reimbursement, technologic innovation, communication and public service.
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MD Committees
Access to Care Committee
Chair: L. Renee Hilton-Rowe, MD FACS FASMBS
Co-Chairs: Philip Gachassin, MD MHCM FACS FASMBS, Tanyaradzwa Kajese, MD FACS FASMBS and Darren Tishler, MD FACS
EC Liaison: Joe Northup, MD FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Leslie Vinson
The Access to Care Committee has the principal mission to assist patients affected by metabolic disease and obesity in obtaining appropriate, safe and effective medical care. Learn More
Bariatric Surgery Training Committee
Chair: Adrian Dan, MD FACS
Co-Chair: Kunoor Jain-Spangler, MD FACS
Co-Chair: Shaina Eckhouse, MD FACS DABOM
EC Liaison: Colleen Kennedy, MD MBA
Staff Liaison: Morgan Matlock
The Bariatric Surgery Training Committee is responsible for designing guidelines and resources for metabolic and bariatric surgery training and fellowship programs. It also certifies that trainees have received adequate training through validation of their experience and the development and continuous updating of examinations. Learn More
Clinical Issues Committee
Chair: Jonathan Carter, MD FASMBS
Co-Chair: Wesley Vosburg, MD FACS DABOM FASMBS
EC Liaison: Corrigan McBride, MD MBA FACS DABOM ABS-FPD FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Leslie Vinson
The mission of the Clinical Issues Committee is to create evidence-based guidelines and position statements regarding clinical issues to enhance quality in bariatric surgery, patient care and to support ASMBS member practice. Learn More
Communications Committee
Chair: Omar Ghanem, MD FACS
Co-Chair: Christine Lovato, MD FACS
EC Liaison: Monique Hassan, MD MBA FACS DABOM FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Andranique Boone
The aim of the Communications Committee is to facilitate communication between the ASMBS and its members, potential members and the public. This includes making recommendations on new opportunities and technologies to enhance communications; working with the ASMBS staff to develop methods for timely identification of pertinent journal articles, special reports, media events, and Society activities appropriate for promotion; and maintaining active communication channels with the ASMBS President and the Executive Council. Learn More
Community/Independent Practice Committee
Chair: Carl Pesta, DO FASMBS
Co-Chair: Blake Movitz, MD
EC Liaison: Colleen Kennedy, MD MBA FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Leslie Vinson
The Community/Independent Practice Committee is composed of surgeons who work to serve their community, primarily focusing on the clinical aspects of bariatric surgery. They are in private practice or are employed by community hospitals or nonacademic health care systems. Learn More
Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Chair: Michael Edwards, MD FACS
Co-Chairs: Pearl Ma, MD FACS ABOM DABS-FPMS & Charles Thompson, MD FACS FASMBS
EC Liaison: Joe Northup, MD FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Jennifer Wynn
The mission of the Diversity and Inclusivity Committee is to study and support the educational and professional needs of under-represented members, promote the acquisition of members from all ages, genders, and ethnicities, and increase access to care for our diverse patient population. Learn More
Emerging Technology and Procedures Committee
Chair: Jamie Loggins, MD FACS
Co-Chairs: Mohamed Ali, MD FACS & Megan Jenkins, MD
EC Liaison: Rana Pullatt, MD FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Morgan Matlock
The Emerging Technology and Procedures Committee advises the Executive Council, other committees and the general membership about new technologies and procedures and how these may impact current and future care of patients. The goal of the committee is to not only evaluate these technologies and procedures, but also to better educate our members on how they can evaluate and possibly incorporate them into practice. Learn More
Ethical Advisory Committee
Chair: John Baker, MD
Staff Liaison: Jennifer Wynn
The Ethical Advisory Committee acts as an advisory board for the Executive Council and the ASMBS President.
Flexible Endoscopy Committee
Chair: Leena Khaitan, MD MPH FACS
Co-Chair: Salvatore Docimo, DO MS
EC Liaison: Mona Misra, MD FACS FRCSC DABS-FPMBS FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Morgan Matlock
The mission of the Flexible Endoscopy Committee of ASMBS is to examine methods of training, clinical applications, and research for existing and evolving endoscopic therapies in the treatment of the patient with obesity. Learn More
General and Foregut Surgery Committee
Chair: Sergio Bardaro, MD FACS DABS-FPMBS FASMBS
Co-Chairs: Karen Gibbs, MD FACS Diplo ABOM FASMBS and Federico Serrot, MD FACS FASMBS
EC Liaison: Helmuth Billy, MD
Staff Liaison: Leslie Vinson
The mission of the General and Foregut Surgery Committee is to develop evidence-based guidelines and identify unique diagnostic and treatment strategies required for the management of general surgical and foregut disease in patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgical procedures. Learn More
Insurance Committee
Chair: Michael Cook, MD FACS FASMBS
Co-Chairs: Maria Iliakova, MD and Don Selzer, MD
EC Liaison: Helmuth Billy, MD
Staff Liaison: Leslie Vinson
The Insurance Committee bridges the gap between the details of insurance coverage and coding and the practicing surgeon. We focus on education of the surgeon and office administrative staff on the trends and changes in insurance coverage, coding and insurance access. The committee acts as a liaison between the ASMBS, insurers and CMS on the specifics of coverage for bariatric procedures. Learn More
International Development Committee
Chair: Rana Pullatt, MD FASMBS
Co-Chair: Rami Lutfi, MD, FASMBS
EC Liaison: Mona Misra, MD FACS FRCSC DABS-FPMBS FASMBS
Staff Liaison: TBD
The ASMBS International Development Committee works to integrate international members from around the world by developing relationships between the ASMBS and its members with organizations and institutions in foreign countries with similar goals and activities; facilitating international collaboration and cooperation to advance the treatment of obesity through education, research and policy initiatives; and maintaining an active relationship with the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases. Learn More
Membership Committee
Chair: Andre Teixeira, MD
Co-Chair: Chris Ducoin, MD MPH FACS FASMBS
EC Liaison: Monique Hassan, MD MBA FACS DABOM FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Kim Carmichael
The function of the Membership Committee is to act as a liaison for members to ensure needs of membership are being met by the society, address member concerns, review membership applications, assist applicants in the application process when necessary, facilitate the FASMBS program, stimulate membership, and ensure access of members to society benefits. Learn More
Military Committee
Chair: Anthony Mark, MD FASMBS
Co-Chairs: Tiffany C. Cox, MD (Military) and Ann DeBord Smith, MD MPH (VA)
EC Liaison: Richard Peterson, MD MPH FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Leslie Vinson
The Military Committee supports the uniformed services and their members through ASMBS to provide a collaborative forum committed to improving the care of the bariatric patient within the military/Tricare system and VA Healthcare Systems. This committee’s focus is to advance the science of metabolic and bariatric surgery through a robust research consortium and to focus and establish a collective within Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) and VA Hospitals, create uniform pathways among centers, and have MBSAQIP/VASQIP participation, respectfully. Learn More
Nominating Committee
Chair: Shanu Kothari, MD FASMBS
Co-Chair: Teresa LaMasters, MD FACS DABOM DABS-FPMBS FASMBS
Members: Pearl Ma, MD MD FACS ABOM DABS-FPMS FASMBS, Folahan Ayoola, MD, Tammy Kindel, PhD FACS FASMBS and Bruce Schirmer, MD
Pathway for Endorsement of New Devices and Procedures Committee
Chair & EC Liaison: Matthew Hutter, MD MBA MPH FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Jennifer Wynn
Pediatric Committee
Chair: Jeffrey Zitsman, MD
Co-Chair: Jeremy Aidlen, MD FACS FAAP
EC Liaison: Farah Husain, MD FACS FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Leslie Vinson
The mission of the Pediatric Committee is to develop, foster and promote best care practices and resources for the pediatric/adolescent bariatric surgery patient. The Pediatric Committee has continued to carry out its strategic mission in response to the increasing prevalence of severe obesity within the adolescent population and associated rise in the number of weight loss surgeries being performed as a result of this public health crisis. Learn More
Program Committee
Chair: Rachel Moore, MD FACS Dipl ABOM
Co-Chair: Rana Pullatt, MD FASMBS
EC Liaison: Marina Kurian, MD FACS DABOM DABS FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Cindy Chambers
Speaker Coordinator: Rosalina Betances
The Program Committee is responsible for developing and arranging all of the annual educational events for the ASMBS with the annual conference being the primary educational event. The committee identifies needs, professional gaps, and barriers; reviews and grades submitted abstracts; selects relevant topics and educational design; secures guest speakers; contributes to the development of overall conference programming. Learn More
Public Education Committee
Chair: Rickesha Wilson, MD
Co-Chairs: Kristin McCoy, MD and Carl Pesta, DO FASMBS
EC Liaison: Teresa LaMasters, MD FACS FASMBS DABOM DABS-FPMBS
Staff Liaison: Andranique Boone
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, including radio, newspaper, television and journals. Learn More
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Committee
Chair: Tammy Kindel, MD PhD FACS FASMBS
Co-Chair: Sabrena Noria, MD PhD FASMBS
EC Liaison: Corrigan McBride, MD MBA FACS DABOM ABS-FPD FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Leslie Vinson
The Patient Safety Committee supports the mission and values of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons by promoting continuous improvement in patient safety and risk reduction. These goals are achieved by the integration and coordination of patient safety initiatives of member surgeons. Learn More
Research Committee
Chair: Ben Clapp, MD FASMBS
Co-Chairs: Tammy Kindel, MD PhD FACS FASMBS and Andrew Wheeler, MD FASMBS
EC Liaison: Farah Husain, MD FACS FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Karen Loerzel
The mission of the Research Committee is to advance the science of metabolic and bariatric surgery by advocating clinical and basic science research. Learn More
Rural Committee
Chair: Arnold D. Salzberg, MD FACS
Co-Chair: Linden Karas, MD FACS
EC Liaison: Richard Peterson, MD MPH FACS DABS-FPDMBS FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Leslie Vinson
The mission of the Rural Surgery Committee is to represent the rural bariatric surgical practices, foster and promote best care practices, identify challenges unique to the rural setting, and facilitate potential solutions. Learn More
State and Local Chapters Committee
Chair: Judy Chen, MD ABOM FASMBS
Co-Chair: Dino Spaniolas, MD FACS FASMBS
EC Liaison: Shanu Kothari, MD FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Kayla McCray
The State and Local Chapters Committee is charged with promoting the ASMBS state chapter initiative and advancing the work of the chapters. They are responsible for reviewing applications and charter agreements, assisting chapters in the formation process, and ongoing monitoring of chapter activities. Learn More
Video Committee
Chair: Colleen Kennedy, MD MBA FASMBS
Co-Chair: Matthew Brengman, MD MHA FASMBS
EC Liaison: Rana Pullatt, MD FASMBS
Staff Liaison: Rosalina Betances
The Video Committee is charged with advancing the surgical techniques for metabolic & bariatric surgery and improve the care and treatment of people with obesity and related diseases. They are responsible for creating and continuously updated the ASMBS Video Library and organizing video presentations for ASMBS Educational Meetings. Learn More
Integrated Health (IH) Committees
IH Advanced Practice Provider Committee
Chair & IHEC Liaison: Michael Dougherty II, PA-C
Co-Chair: Connie Klein, NPC, CBN
Staff Liaison: Morgan Matlock
IH CBN Certification Committee
Chair: William Gourash, PhD CRNP RN
Co-Chair: Jessie Moore, FNP-BC MSN
IHEC Liaison: Kellie Armstrong, MSN RN CBN
Staff Liaison: Morgan Matlock
The CBN Certification Committee is dedicated to enhancing and promoting the specialty of bariatric nursing care by maintaining the CBN certification program. Learn More
IH Clinical Issues Committee
Chair & IHEC Liaison: Lillian Craggs-Dino, DHA RDN LDN CLT
Co-Chair: Laura Aylward, PhD
Staff Liaison: Leslie Vinson
The mission of the Integrated Health Clinical Issues Committee is to create evidence-based position statements with focus on clinical issues related to the integrated multidisciplinary team as well as issues related to the individual integrated health disciplines with the goal of enhancing the safety, quality and outcomes of bariatric and metabolic surgical patient care. Learn More
IH Communications Committee
Chair: Cynthia Hipszer, RN MSN CNML CBN
Co-Chair & IHEC Liaison: Sarah Muntel, RD
Staff Liaison: Andranique Boone
The aim of the Integrated Health Communications committee is to facilitate communication within AMSBS integrated health membership, between integrated health and surgeon members, and with potential members. This includes communicating in outside forums, moderating communication over official forums, and ensuring that relevant integrated health is available to all members. Learn More
IH Membership Committee
Interim Chair: Laura Boyer, FNP-C
IHEC Liaison: Sarah Muntel, RD
Staff Liaison: Kim Carmichael
The function of the IH Membership Committee is to act as liaison for members to ensure needs of membership are being met by the society, address member concerns, review membership applications, assist applicants in the application process when necessary, stimulate membership, and ensure access of members to society benefits. Learn More
IH Multidisciplinary Care Committee
Chair: Brooke Doucet, RN CBN
Co-Chair: Nicole Franklin, PsyD
IHEC Liaison: Janelle Coughlin, PhD
Staff Liaison: Leslie Vinson
The mission of the committee is to provide evidence-based support for the role of the team members in the care of long-term success of the bariatric surgical patient. The committee is comprised of each integrated team member including exercise, behavioral health, nursing, nutrition, surgery, and obesity medicine. Learn More
IH Nominating Committee
Chair: Lisa West-Smith, PhD
Co-Chair: Karen Flanders, PhD LISW-S
Members: Kellene Isom, PhD MS RD CAGS, Abigail Schroeder, PA-C, Pamela Davis, RN
IH Program and Professional Education Committee
Chair: Connie Klein, APRN, CBN
Co-Chair: Lynn Montague-Daddio, MSN RN NP ACNS-BC CBN
IHEC Liaison: Kellie Armstrong, RN, MS, CBN
Staff Liaison: Cindy Chambers
Speaker Coordinator: Rosalina Betances
The mission of the IH Program and Professional Education Committee is to promote and support development of accredited post-professional education programs that advance the skills, clinical practices, and research endeavors of metabolic and bariatric surgery professionals to enhance the quality of patient care, optimize outcomes, and improve patients’ quality of life. Membership will include representation from the five major disciplines of the Integrative Health Membership. Learn More
IH Support Group Committee
Chair: Nini Peterson, PhD
Co-Chair: Andrea Rigby, PsyD
IHEC Liaison: Nini Peterson, PhD
Staff Liaison: Karen Loerzel
The mission of the 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. Learn More