ASMBS Foundation News and Update—September 2013

September 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.

The ASMBS Foundation is proud to announce the recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award: Alan C. Wittgrove, MD, FACS, FASMBS. Each year the Foundation honors an ASMBS member who has displayed a selfless commitment to the ASMBS and has made significant contributions to the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery.

Alan Wittgrove graduated from St. Louis College of Pharmacy before attending medical school at the University of Missouri at Colombia. Dr. Wittgrove was privileged to experience a progressive surgical residency in the United States Navy, which included training in laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. After completing his residency, he served for 10 years as a Naval surgeon.

Alan established a private practice in 1986 in San Diego, California. He continues that practice, with emphasis on the surgical management of obesity.  He credits his interest in bariatric surgery to Dr. Boyd Terry, an early mentor during medical school. Alan performed the first laparoscopic gastric bypass in the world on October 27, 1993. He has trained many others on his laparoscopic technique and has directored numerous bariatric courses.  Focusing primarily on gastric bypass, he has published extensively on his surgical technique and outcomes in bariatric surgery.

Dr. Wittgrove is the past president of the ASMBS and has served as a board member of the Foundation. He is a founding executive board member of the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) and the ASMBS Centers of Excellence. He co-authored the original credentialing guidelines for ASMBS.

Dr. Wittgrove’s vision, insight, and intellect makes him eminently qualified to receive this award.
The award will be presented at the first annual ASMBS Foundation L.E.A.D. Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 during the 30th ASMBS Annual Meeting at Obesity Week in Atlanta, Georgia.

Supporting obesity research and education, the ASMBS Foundation holds these annual events to honor members and raise vital funds and awareness. For information on how to purchase tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.asmbsfoundation.org.

ASMBS Foundation’s First Annual L.E.A.D. Awards Luncheon. The ASMBS Foundation invites you and your organization to join us for the first Annual L.E.A.D. Awards Luncheon, which will be held in conjunction with Obesity Week on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia.

The ASMBS Foundation, a nonprofit organization, hosts this fundraising event to help continue our fight against obesity through research, education, and access to treatment.

This event will also give us opportunity to thank the many volunteers and corporate sponsors that support our efforts, and present the Foundation’s prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award, the Integrated Health Circle of Excellence Award, as well as other important ASMBS awards.

The ASMBS and ASMBS Foundation have combined their award presentations for an inspirational celebration of accomplishments. The event will be attended by leaders in the field of bariatric surgery and their guests and will take place in the beautiful Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

We need your help to make this a successful event. Ticket sales and industry sponsorship is a major way to ensure the success of this special occasion.

To purchase a ticket, a table, and to download the sponsorship packet, please visit www.asmbsfoundation.org.

We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you at this year’s ASMBS Annual Meeting.

P3: Pedometer Challenge: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 to Friday, November 15, 2013—Atlanta, Georgia.
The P3 Pedometer Challenge will be held in conjunction with Obesity Week at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Join your colleagues for this fun competition and the chance to win some great prizes, including an iPad Mini.
Every step counts. It is amazing how much walking you can get in without even trying and, with a little extra effort, you can really put on the miles and burn the calories.

Every dollar raised counts. You can make a difference in the fight against obesity. Funds raised will benefit the ASMBS Foundation’s Operation M.O.R.E. and help reach their fundraising goal of five million dollars for obesity research and education.
Register today. The registration fee is $15.00 (includes pedometer). You may register by completing one of the following:
•    While registering for the ASMBS 30th Annual Meeting at Obesity Week
•    Register online today at www.asmbsfoundation.org and get a head start on fundraising
•    On-site at the ASMBS Foundation exhibit located near the ASMBS Marketplace
Prizes and winners. The winners will be announced on the Walk from Obesity Facebook and Twitter pages. Be sure to follow the Walk to see if you are a lucky winner. Prizes include the following:
Top 3 fundraisers (according to placement)
1. iPad Mini
2. iPod Nano
3. ASMBS Logo Products
Top 3 individuals with the most steps taken:
1. iPod Nano
2. Sports Authority Gift Card
3. ASMBS Logo Item
Hours and location. Check-in and pedometer pickup will be within the ASMBS Foundation exhibit across from the ASMBS Marketplace desk in the convention center.
On-site registration and check-in will be open the following dates and times:
•    Tuesday, November 12, 2013 through Thursday, November 14, 2013, 8:00am to 5:00pm
•    Friday, November 15, 2013 from 8:00am to 3:00pm

The contest ends Friday, November 15, 2013. Final check-in is Friday, November 15, 2013 between 3:30pm and 4:00pm
For more information please contact [email protected] or (866) 471-2727

The ASMBS 30th Anniversary Candle Lighting Celebration.  Celebrate our progress. Keep it moving forward. Visit https://asmbs30.org/light-a-candle/ or www.asmbs.org and light a candle as a symbol honoring the pioneers who persevered, overcoming obstacles and stigma and also present-day leaders who continue to fight for patient access and safety, support for the future, education, and research.

Proceeds from this project will go to the ASMBS Foundation for continued research and education dedicated to improving the quality, safety of care and treatment of obesity and related diseases.
Make a Donation Today at https://asmbs30.org/light-a-candle/
Thank you for supporting the ASMBS and ASMBS Foundation.

Summer/Fall 2013 Walk from Obesity Events Announced. We are excited to announce our upcoming events in the following locations:
Arizona—Gilbert, Phoenix
California—Arcadia
Connecticut—Greater CT, Bristol
Florida—Celebration
Indiana—Indianapolis
Maine—Westbrook
Maryland—Rockville
Michigan—Grand Rapids, Lansing
Minnesota—Minneapolis
Missouri—St. Louis
New Jersey—Cranford, Egg Harbor Twp., Hamilton
New York—New York City
North Carolina—Charlotte, Concord, Greenville, Hickory, Wilmington
Ohio—Akron
Pennsylvania—Abington, Athens
Utah—Salt Lake City
Virginia—Charlottsville
West Virginia—Morgantown

For more information about the Summer/Fall Walks, please visit www.walkfromobesity.com
The Walk from Obesity is Excited to Announce a Brand New Website Interface Design.  We have updated our website’s design and function to allow for easier navigation and usability. In addition, we have added the ability to search the website for recent news updates, newsletter articles, recipes, helpful tips, and much more.

The new design is also mobile friendly for those times you need to access the website on the go. Check it out at www.walkfromobesity.com and let us know what you think!

The Walk from Obesity would like to welcome our new National Sponsors.
Platinum—Covidien
Gold—Eisai
Silver—Ethicon
Bronze—AmeriWell Bariatrics, Bariatric Advantage
Thank you for your support and commitment to make a difference.

Tags: ASMBS Foundation

Category: ASMBS Foundation News and Update, Past Articles