Louisiana State Chapter

Incorporated May 2012

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Mission Statement

The Louisiana Chapter of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (LAASMBS) is dedicated to advancing the care of the bariatric patient in the state of Louisiana.

  • Through a statewide network of bariatric surgeons and associate members, LAASMBS is actively engaged in legislative efforts and advocacy focused on improving quality and access to care for Louisiana residents.
  • The LAASMBS promotes fellowship among the state’s bariatric providers as well facilitating the active interchange of ideas and best practices through educational events and annual meetings.
  • Sponsorship of public events is promoted as a way to increase public awareness of the problem of obesity in the state of Louisiana.
  • LAASMBS seeks to enroll all practicing bariatric providers in the state of Louisiana and speak with one voice for the bariatric patients of our state.

Executive Officers

President: Shauna Levy, MD MS FACS
Vice President: Michael Cook, MD
Immediate Past President: William S. Richardson, MD FASMBS
Past President: James G. Redmann, MD FASMBS
Secretary: Peter Lundberg, MD
Treasurer: Jessica Gorham, MD
Integrated Health Chair: Laura Boyer, FNP-C
STAR (State Access to Care Representative): Vance Albough, MD
Integrated Health STAR (State Access to Care Representative): Laura Boyer, FNP C CBN
Executive Director: Janna Pecquet

Board Members

Philip Gachassin, MD
Rachel Moore, MD FASMBS
James Parrish, MD FASMBS

Contact

Chapter Meetings

  • Louisiana Obesity Conference
    August 9-10, 2024
    Renaissance Arts Hotel in New Orleans

Chapter Updates

2019 Activity

  • April 14, 2019: Walk from Obesity, Audobon Park
  • Journal Clubs: Quarterly

2016 Activity

  • The Heads Up Program continues to recruit patients

  • The Louisiana Bariatric Surgery Collaborative is currently collecting statewide data on number and type of bariatric procedures performed, 30 day mortality, leaks, DVT/PE, and 30 day reoperations

2015 Activity

  • Blue Cross of Louisiana is currently considering coverage of bariatric surgery and may offer this as early as 2015

  • The Heads Up Program has expanded and has opened new sites in Alexandria and Shreveport; this program is a study which is being conducted by a partnership between the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the Office of Group Benefits (which covers state employees); the study randomizes patients to bariatric surgery vs. intensive medical therapy
  • The Louisiana Bariatric Surgery Collaborative is currently collecting statewide data on number and type of bariatric procedures performed, 30 day mortality, leaks, DVT/PE, and 30 day reoperations

  • May 2015, Dr. Moore appeared in front of the committee to discuss the Heitmeier Bill; Amendments to the bill resulted in us not supporting this bill and it was eventually defeated

  • Walks From Obesity statewide April 11, 2015

  • Access to Care committee met with Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Donnelon on March 31, 2015 to discuss expansion of the health insurance exchange to include bariatric surgery

2013-2014 Activity

  • Social event held June 1, 2013 during ASMBS Spring meeting in New Orleans
  • May 11, 2013 was the Statewide Walk from Obesity with simultaneous events scheduled in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans; due to severe thunderstorms New Orleans was cancelled and Baton Rouge was held on 5/18/13
  • The group worked together via email on edits of band and bypass risk sheets and approval of a brand new list of potential complications for vertical sleeve gastrectomy, all of which were approved by the Louisiana Disclosure Panel on May 17, 2013
  • ASMBS granted approval for full chapter status on March 21, 2013

Support Groups

  • Christus St. Francis Cabrini Hospital, Alexandria
  • Women’s Hospital, Baton Rouge
  • Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge
  • Baton Rouge General Surgical Associates, Baton Rouge
  • Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital, Hammond
  • Surgical Weight Management Associates, Houma
  • Ochsner Surgical Weight Loss Program, Jefferson/New Orleans – List of 2020 Dates

    1514 Jefferson Highway
    2nd Floor Brent House Conference Room
    New Orleans, LA 70121
    Phone: 504-842-2701
    Website: www.ochsner.org/bariatric
    Meeting Times: Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month from 5:30-6:30 pm (see website for dates & Room)
    Contact Person: Jeannine Runnels, RN

    In-person and On-line Seminars Available – List of 2020 Dates
    Phone: 504-842-2701
    Website: www.ochsner.org/bariatric
    On-line Seminar is available on website
    In-Person Seminar: 5:30-7pm (see website for dates)
    1514 Jefferson Highway
    2nd Floor Brent House Conference Room: Caldwell/Burns Rooms
    New Orleans, LA 70121
    Contact Person: Jeannine Runnels, RN

  • Surgical Specialists of LA, Lafayette
  • Acadiana Weight Loss Surgery, Lafayette
  • Surgical Specialists of LA, Metairie

    ** LA Center for Weight Loss Surgery, Monroe

  • St. Elizabeth Hospital, Prairieville
  • Freedom from Obesity, Shreveport
  • Surgical Specialists of LA, Slidell
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery Center of LA, Shreveport

Advocacy Information