The State of the ASMBS Foundation

A Message from Foundation President Rami Lutfi, MD

Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I am happy to share with you that 2019 is off to a fantastic start for the ASMBS Foundation. In reflecting on the success of the Gala and Walk from Obesity program, it would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our generous donors. Your commitment to the Foundation has allowed us to continue making advancements in the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery through research, education, and advocacy. We thank you and can’t wait to work alongside you again this year.

Over the last several months, we have been diligently working to build on our strengths and implement new strategies that will carry the Foundation into the future. To aid us in this mission, we welcome our new Executive Director, Michael Votta, to our team. Michael is driven and determined to lead the ASMBS Foundation in helping us achieve our organizational goals. With a background in executive management, he understands the importance of cultivating new partnerships while building brand awareness.

Additionally, we welcomed the following new members to our Board of Directors: Eric DeMaria, MD; Karen Flanders, MSN; Carl Pesta, MD; Jaime Ponce, MD; and Nate Sann, MSN. Thank you in advance for volunteering your time and expertise to the Foundation. Your commitment is invaluable, and we are excited to have you on board for this exciting journey. It is in this spirit that we look to broadening our horizons and engaging new board members. I’d also like to take a moment to thank and recognize those who served on the Foundation Board in the past. Without your loyalty to this cause, we would not be able to serve the ASMBS and those affected by obesity.

Plans are in motion that will help us attract more volunteer Event Leaders for our annual Walk from Obesity program. As many of you know, the Walk from Obesity is a national awareness program that offers communities the opportunity to educate and provide local resources about obesity prevention and treatment. This program is the primary fundraising campaign for the Foundation, and it is our goal to increase our programs in 2019 to serve our mission.

The Foundation is preparing to unveil a rebranding and major donor campaigns. One of these programs will be the Recurring Giving campaign. Recurring Giving is an important and effective program that will have a huge impact on the long-term financial health of the Foundation. Through the new campaigns, we will be connecting with our donors on a personal level, expressing our gratitude while sharing the impact of their support.

Communication is a key pillar to gaining the trust and support of our constituents. Your involvement relative to these initiatives is key to our success. In the upcoming weeks, we will be reaching out to you to garner your input and continued support.

Ready, set, grow with us!

-Rami Lutfi, MD
President, ASMBS Foundation

Upcoming Walk from Obesity Events
New Orleans, LA
April 14, 2019

Rhode Island (Warwick)
May 18, 2019

Tentative Locations & Dates

Northern NJ (Hackensack)
May 2019

Chicago, IL
June 2019

Philadelphia, PA
June 2019

Cleveland, OH
September 2019

Mountain View, CA (NorCal)
September 2019

Dallas, TX
October 2019

Pittsburgh, PA
September 2019

Tags: ASMBS Foundation, Walk from Obesity

Category: ASMBS Foundation News and Update, Past Articles