OSF Saint Francis approved as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence Contact: Chris Lofgren, Director of Public Relations (655-2777) (April 25, 2006) The OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Bariatric Surgery program has received certification from the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. The certification was for the maximum period of three years. The recognition is shared with Peoria Surgical Group and Dr. Stephen Marshall, medical director for the program. Notification of approval was received on March 22. Bariatric surgery includes gastric bypass, laparoscopic gastric band and duodenal switch and is utilized for weight loss and involves the reduction in the size of the stomach or restriction of the stomach. The patient is thus comfortable with a small amount of food and weight loss results. The certification resulted from the submission of an application containing detailed data from OSF Saint Francis and Peoria Surgical Group and a site visit in February. The ASBS Centers of Excellence designation recognizes outstanding bariatric programs that demonstrate excellent short- and long-term outcomes. The OSF Saint Francis Bariatric Surgery program has served more than 1200 patients since 1998 with 58 percent coming from outside the tri-county area. About 83 percent of the patients are female and the average age of a gastric bypass patient is 44. As part of the certification, OSF Saint Francis must report outcomes data on an ongoing basis to the society. According to Dr. Marshall, receiving this designation as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence validates the comprehensive nature of the program. “Our bariatric program is more than the surgery we do,” he said. “Our patients receive pre- and post-surgical counseling that helps them understand what to expect and how to deal with the changes that will become a permanent part of their lives.” The program’s team* screens all potential bariatric surgery patients to ensure they are physically and emotionally able to experience this life-changing procedure. The Peoria Surgical Group team headed by Dr. Marshall includes Drs. Tom Rossi and Jim Debord. *The OSF Saint Francis team consists of: program coordinator Melinda Lange, R.N.; program manager Jo Garrison; psychologist Bob Glazeski, Ph.D.; registered dietitian Lori Walters, R.D.; and program secretary Mary Pyatt.