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Baptist Bariatric Center of Excellence Designation Offers More Candidates Access to Weight-Loss Surgery

The Baptist Bariatric Center and Bariatric Surgeon J. David Nye have been recognized by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery as a Center of Excellence. This designation is recognized by many insurance companies for weight loss surgery as it meets the highest standards of quality and safety.

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

“Baptist Health Care has a history of national recognition for providing quality programs and services that meet the highest standards of excellence in patient care,” said David DiLoreto, M.D. MBA, senior vice president and chief medical officer, Baptist Health Care. “This designation is the gold standard and illustrates Baptist Bariatric Center’s commitment to safe, quality patient care and demonstrates the Center’s alignment with the highest industry standards.” DiLoreto continued, “Morbid obesity is a health epidemic that can severely impact a person's quality of life, and Baptist will continue to help people affected by this condition that can ruin and shorten lives.”

About the Center

– Since the program’s inception, the Baptist Bariatric Center has taken a comprehensive, team-approach to bariatric care. The Center’s bariatric surgeons, nurses, dietitians and psychologists have provided high quality bariatric care to more than 2,000 patients.

“It is indeed a privilege and an honor to be a member of the Baptist Health Care team and especially to be involved in the Baptist Bariatric Center of Excellence from its inception,” said Bariatric Surgeon J. David Nye, Medical Director, Baptist Bariatric Center.

A Growing Health Epidemic

– Obesity has become a significant national health issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 66 percent of all U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Morbid obesity is connected to a number of serious conditions that severely undermine the health of overweight patients, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Bariatric surgery can help obese patients manage these conditions. By definition, surgeons with ASMBS Center of Excellence designations practice only top-quality care, ensuring efficacy of the procedure with each patient to the best of their abilities.

To find out if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery or for more information, call Baptist Health Care at (850) 434-4080 or take our online-assessment.

Baptist Among the First to Receive Joint Commission's Gold Seal for Bariatric Surgery

Baptist Hospital Bariatric Center has been awarded the Gold Seal Approval by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Baptist Hospital is fifth nationally, and the only one in our area, to have been awarded the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval as a certified bariatric surgery center.

The Gold Seal confirms that Baptist Hospital Bariatric Center meets stringent national standards for weight-loss surgery. In December 2006, a Joint Commission surveyor conducted a site survey to evaluate the Bariatric Center's clinical practices and its performance measurement and improvement activities.

The Joint Commission is the nation's leading accrediting and standards-setting body. Its mission is to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public in healthcare settings.

Baptist Hospital has the area's first and most comprehensive surgical weight loss program. Founded in 2003, the Baptist Hospital Bariatric Center provides specialized care to people who have undergone, or are about to undergo, bariatric surgery.