ASMBS Foundation News and Update—April 2013

by David Provost, MD

Dr. Provost is President of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Foundation. He maintains a private practice, Provost Bariatrics in Denton, Texas. Dr. Provost also serves on the ASMBS Executive Council, is a member of the Surgical Review Corporation’s (SRC) Board of Directors, and is a member of the Society for American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), where he serves on the Bariatric Liaison Committee.

“Every Step Counts!” ASMBS Louisiana State Chapter Takes Huge Step Toward the Fight Against Obesity by Presenting a Statewide Walk from Obesity. The ASMBS members in Louisiana are linking arms and showing that there is strength in numbers in fighting the growing epidemic of obesity. Four major cities in the state, Monroe, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, will host a “statewide” Walk from Obesity on May 11, 2013.
In the past, surgical practices in Louisiana have hosted Walks and competed against each other to see who could raise the most money. By setting this up geographically, with multiple surgical practices participating at each site, they are not only raising more money, but by joining together for a statewide walk, they are increasing awareness, garnering media attention, and demonstrating their desire to find a cure for the disease.

“I cannot begin to express how excited I am to be involved in such a great statewide event. It has been a pleasure to work with multiple coordinators across Louisiana. This is the first event in which surgeons and coordinators around the state have joined forces to raise the community’s awareness about obesity. With obesity at an all-time high, it is imperative that we bring this to the attention of the community and local insurance providers.” said Brooke Doucet, RN, BSN, and Louisiana Statewide Walk from Obesity Chairman.

The Walk from Obesity is also an opportunity for friends and family to support patients in their goal to be healthy. New Orleans Walk Committee Member Ramsey Schmitz, RN, remembers, “It wasn’t until I was 30 years old and weighed 348 pounds that I realized I was at rock bottom and had to save myself. I didn’t get where I am today by myself. The Walk from Obesity gives everyone an opportunity to get up and move, not only for themselves, but also for others by getting behind someone who needs help with their battle against obesity.”

The Louisiana Walk from Obesity will be a Statewide Annual Event each Spring. To find the locations of each city’s Walk in Louisiana scheduled for May 11, 2013, please visit www.walkfromobesity.com and click on “Find a Walk”.

“The Louisiana state chapter of ASMBS was formed this year, and we are very excited by the response that we are getting to the four-site Walk project. It demonstrates how much Louisianans care about the treatment of obesity,” said Rachel L. Moore, MD, FACS, FASMBS, President, Louisiana state chapter of ASMBS. Hopefully this is the first of many states that sees surgeons, hospitals, and businesses join forces to assist in the prevention and treatment of the second-leading cause of preventable death in our country.

Spring 2013 Walk from Obesity Cities Announced.  We are excited to announce our 2013 spring walks. The following cities will be hosting a Walk from Obesity from March through June 2013:

Colorado—Grand Junction
Louisiana—Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans
Massachusettes—Natick
New York—New York City
New Jersey—Old Bridge
Pennsylvania—Hershey
South Carolina—W. Columbia/Lexington
Tennessee—Nashville
Texas—Edinburg-McAllen

For more information about the Spring Walks, please visit www.walkfromobesity.com .

Companies and Organizations Invited to Become a Corporate Sponsor of the Walk from Obesity. Are you actively involved with a company that would be interested in becoming a sponsor of the Walk from Obesity? The Walk from Obesity is seeking private businesses and corporations to participate as corporate sponsors.

As the largest gathering of individuals affected by obesity, the Walk from Obesity is a powerful public awareness event. Corporate sponsors and those who support walkers are an integral part in helping to raise awareness. In addition to prominent recognition on the Walk website and on event t-shirts, corporate sponsors are able to reach out to Walk participants on both the national and local levels and proudly promote their participation and support of the event throughout the year. The Walk from Obesity also receives widespread media exposure and corporate sponsors are often recognized as a support to this important cause.

If you or someone you know is interested in corporate sponsorship, please visit www.walkfromobesity.com and click on “Become a Sponsor,” or contact us at (866) 471-2727 or [email protected] so that we may send you information regarding our initiatives and the benefits of sponsorship. The deadline to become a sponsor is April 30, 2013.
Thank you for your support and commitment to make a difference!

The ASMBS Foundation is now Accepting Applications to Host a Walk from Obesity Event this Fall.  Hosting a Walk from Obesity event is a tremendous experience. The Walk from Obesity is the ONLY event where individuals affected by obesity can join together and raise awareness of this disease. From New York to California, walkers all across the country represent their successes in the fight against obesity.

“The Walk from Obesity is a fabulous day for our bariatric patients to get together and share their stories. Many of the patients haven’t had the ability to participate in any kind of Walk before. This day is empowering to them – you can feel their sense of pride and accomplishment.”
-PJ Stough, LifeWeigh Bariatrics, Chicago, Illinois Walk from Obesity event leader

•    Hosting a Walk in your community is an excellent way to join with local healthcare providers and volunteers to help those affected by obesity and raise money for a worthwhile cause.
•    The Walk from Obesity is a proud tradition among many of the leading bariatric practices across the country.
•    The Walk from Obesity is the only national event that brings together those who are directly affected by obesity.
•    Participating in the Walk is key to drawing attention to obesity and the need for treatment and prevention efforts.
•    This National event gives hospitals, bariatric programs and sponsors invaluable exposure in the obesity community, in addition to National and local media and the public.
•    Since its inception, the Walk has raised over $6 million for obesity research, treatment, prevention, advocacy and awareness for the ASMBS Foundation and the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC).

The application deadline to host an event this Fall is May 31, 2013. Please visit www.walkfromobesity.com and click on “Host a Walk” for the application and FAQs.
Thank you in advance for considering leading and hosting a 2013 Walk from Obesity and your commitment to make a difference.

Tags: ASMBS Foundation

Category: ASMBS Foundation News and Update, Past Articles