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Community Corner

MemorialCare Center for Obesity at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center Receives Reaccreditation as Center of Excellence for Weight-Loss Surgery

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) has awarded the MemorialCare Center for Obesity at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center (OCMMC) a three-year recertification as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence®. In addition, the ASMBS and American College of Surgeons (ACS) have given the MemorialCare Center for Obesity at Orange Coast Memorial full accreditation in the new, unified Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This designation recognizes bariatric weight-loss surgery programs that have demonstrated a history of successful patient outcomes.

“Our designation as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence is a testament to our highly skilled and experienced team of physicians and nurses at the MemorialCare Center for Obesity who are dedicated to improving the health of our community,” said Marcia Manker, CEO of OCMMC. “We will continue to enhance our services and provide our patients with the gold standard for comprehensive bariatric care.”

During the past 25 years, there has been a significant increase in obesity in the U.S. and rates remain high. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese and obesity has become a significant health issue resulting in about 300,000 deaths in the country each year. Morbid obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death. In addition, it is closely related with a number of illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.

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Faced with clinical evidence that the most experienced and best-run bariatric surgery programs have by far the lowest rates of complications, the ASMBS Centers of Excellence program was created to recognize bariatric surgery centers that perform well and to help surgeons and hospitals continue to improve the quality and safety of care provided. In the U.S., about 150,000 adults have metabolic/bariatric surgery each year. Metabolic/bariatric surgery has been shown to be the most effective and long-lasting treatment for morbid obesity and many related conditions and results in significant weight loss.

To earn a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® designation, OCMMC underwent a series of site inspections during which all aspects of the program's surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes were collected.

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“It is an honor for us to be recognized for our ability to provide safe and effective surgical care to patients of size,” said Peter C. LePort, M.D., medical director of MemorialCare Center for Obesity at Orange Coast Memorial and whose team has performed more than 13,000 weight-loss procedures. “In fighting this worldwide epidemic, we are working diligently to remain on the leading edge of surgical techniques and post operative care to ensure the best results for our patients.”

For more information about the MemorialCare Center for Obesity at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center or to schedule an appointment, please call (714) 378-7622 or log on to www.memorialcare.org/CenterForObesity.

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