Louisiana State Chapter

Incorporated May 2012

Visit our website

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