Chapter Information
Incorporated November 2011
Executive Officers
President: Thien Nguyen, MD
Vice President: Sara Martin del Campo, MD MS FACS DABOM FASMBS
Past Presidents: Judy Chen, MD ABOM FASMBS; Alana Chock, MD FASMBS; Ross McMahon, MD; Robert Michaelson, MD; Jeffrey Hunter, MD
Secretary: Shireesh Saurabh, MD FACS
Treasurer: Monica Young, MD
Integrated Health Chair: Julie Vieselmeyer, PhD
STAR (State Access to Care Representative): Mohan Mallipeddi, MD
Board Member
Open
Contact
Judy Chen, MD ABOM FASMBS
University Of Washington, Division of General Surgery
1959 NE Pacific Street
Box 356410, Room BB 423A
Seattle, WA 98177
Mission Statement
The Washington State Chapter of the ASMBS is an independent, nonprofit group of multidisciplinary health care providers committed to addressing the concerns of the obese population of Washington State and those whom provide valuable, complex, life-saving treatment to these individuals. We encourage fellowship among members and sharing of best practices as a platform for continuous improvement of quality of care of the bariatric patient. This dedicated group raises awareness of the disease obesity through advocacy and education of community, healthcare providers, healthcare administrators, insurance administrators, and government officials. The Washington State Chapter of the ASMBS works to improve fair and just access to care as well as eliminate discrimination toward those suffering from the disease obesity. We strive to engage those in our communities in order to speak with one voice for the patients in our state. Our ongoing commitment and dedication to this mission is based on our core values of fairness, equality, compassion, respect of the individual, integrity and advocacy.
Chapter Meetings
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Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington State Chapters Meeting at the ASMBS Annual Meeting 2022 in Dallas, TX
Tuesday, June 7th
5:30-6:30pm Central
Hyatt Regency Dallas/Reverchon A/B Room -
November 12, 2020 – “Managing weight regain post bariatric surgery. Medical and Psychological Interventions” by Dr. Sean Wharton (virtual meeting)
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Thursday September 19, 2020 – Chapter meeting discussing new MBSAQIP standards and following article – Article: Sebastianelli et al. Systematic Endoscopy 5 Years After Sleeve Gastrectomy Results in a High Rate of Barrett’s Esophagus: Results of a Multicenter Study. Obesity Surgery. 2019;291:1462-1469 UW Medical Center-Roosevelt, Weight Loss Management Center
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September 10, 2020 – “The Value of the Biliopancreatic Limb and Total Alimentary Limb Length in Gastric Bypass Surgery” by Dr. Abdelrahman Nimeri (virtual meeting)
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July 14, 2020 – WA Chapter officer’s planning meeting (virtual)
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The following meetings were cancelled from January to June 2020 due to weather and COVID: Thursday January 9 at 6:30pm; Thursday March 12 at 6:30pm; Thursday May 14 at 6:30pm; June 11-13; ACS Oregon-Washington Summer Meeting at Sunriver Resort, Sunriver OR
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Thursday September 19, 2020 – Chapter meeting discussing new MBSAQIP standards and following article "Sebastianelli et al. Systematic Endoscopy 5 Years After Sleeve Gastrectomy Results in a High Rate of Barrett’s Esophagus: Results of a Multicenter Study. Obesity Surgery. 2019;291:1462-1469"
UW Medical Center-Roosevelt, Weight Loss Management Center -
Sept 10, 2020 – “The Value of the Biliopancreatic Limb and Total Alimentary Limb Length in Gastric Bypass Surgery” by Dr. Abdelrahman Nimeri (virtual meeting)
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July 14, 2020 – WA Chapter officer’s planning meeting (virtual)
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June 11, 2020 “Biology of Appetite Regulation: The Role of Hormones in Weight and Homeostasis.” by Dr. Jeremy McConnell (virtual meeting)
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Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington State Chapters Meeting at ObesityWeek 2019 in Las Vegas, NV
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
5:15-6:15pm Pacific
Mandalay Bay, 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89119, Lagoon B Room -
ASMBS Washington State Chapter Meeting
September 19th (3rd Thursday of month) at UW
Journal article and recent MBSAQIP changes
Article – Barrett’s after Sleeve Gastrectomy – Judy will ask UW fellow Colette Inaba to present -
Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington State Chapters Meeting at ObesityWeek 2018 in Nashville, TN
Tuesday, November 13
5:15-6:15pm Central
Omni Nashville Hotel, 250 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, Mockingbird 3 Room -
ASMBS Washington State Chapter Meeting
Thursday, September 13, 2018 – 6:30pm
The Weight Loss Management Center at UWMC-Roosevelt
4225 Roosevelt Way NE, 1st Floor, Seattle, WA 98105
Speaker: Ellen A. Schur, MD, MS, "Is bariatric surgery really brain surgery?" -
ASMBS Washington State Chapter Meeting
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Teaching Kitchen at Swedish Weight Loss Services
1124 Colombia St., Suite 400, Seattle WA 98104 -
ASMBS Washington State Chapter Meeting
Thursday, January 10, 2019 -
ASMBS Washington State Chapter Meeting
Thursday, March 14, 2019 -
Oregon, Washington and Hawaii State Chapters Meeting at ObesityWeek 2016 in New Orleans, LA:
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
6:15pm-7:15pm Central Time
Hilton New Orleans Riverside Grand Salon 6
Combined Oregon/Washington/Hawaii State Chapter Meeting -
State Chapter Meeting at ObesityWeek 2015 in Los Angeles, CA:
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
6pm-7pm Pacific Time
L.A. Convention Center Room #512
Combined Oregon/Washington Annual Meeting -
6/15/2015, Cle Elum, WA – Combined Oregon/Washington Annual Meeting
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11/5/2014, Boston, MA during ObesityWeek – Combined Oregon/Washington Annual Meeting
Chapter Updates
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Working with the ASMBS Access to Care Committee regarding Regence (BCBS) and Asuris NW and their review of bariatric policies – email sent on November, 20, 2020.
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September 26, 2020 – ASMBS Virtual Walk from Obesity
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Walk for Obesity: Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Volunteer Park; Sponsored by Swedish, Danyell Walker is the Chair
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Journal Club/Case Reviews – monthly meetings are held on a rotating basis at local bariatric surgical practices the evening of the third Thursday of the month – September through May. Topical issues in the literature are addressed. Interesting/difficult cases are presented to discuss and draw from the collective regional experience. Guest Lectures are periodically held as speakers become available:
- June 16, 2016, TBA by New Administration
- May 19, 2016, Marcelo Hinojosa, MD UW, SADS/SADI-S at UW
- Apr 21, 2016, Eric Wilson, MD Memorial Herman/UT Houston, Robotic Bariatric Surgery at Overlake
- Mar 17, 2016, Laura Frank, PhD, MPH, RDN, CD, Nutrition Concerns in Bariatric Surgery at NWWLS
- Feb 18, 2016, Jonathan Stoehr, MD, PhD, Endocrinology VM, Medical Complications following Bariatric Surgery at Virginia Mason
- Jan 21, 2016, Rick Lindquist, Ten Minute Talks: Recap of Obesity Week at Swedish
- Dec 17, 2015 None, Happy Holidays
- Nov 19, 2015, Peter Billing, Novel Procedures in Weight Management at Puget Sound Bariatrics
- February 19, 2015, Mike Larsen, MD, Interventional Gastroenterology and Bariatrics
- May 21, 2015, David Cummings, MD, DM2 and Bariatric Surgery
- February 19, 2015, Mike Larsen, MD: Interventional Gastroenterology and Bariatrics
- September 18, 2014, Mitchell S. Roslin, MD, Update on SIPS
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June 22, 2016 – The Chapter has been working with the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, submitting a written response and providing testimony a public hearing. We contributed to bringing our state’s Essential Health Benefits package into alignment with recent guidance from the federal government regarding coverage for obesity. While this falls short of a benefit for Bariatric Surgery – the state is now requiring that insurers provide “obesity related services” as provided by the Affordable Care Act.
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The Chapter worked with the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) – Health Technology Assessment (HTA) through 2014 and 2015 providing expert opinion and peer review of draft documents. This combined with public testimony at committee hearings has contributed to a favorable decision by the HCA providing coverage for bariatric surgery in Washington. On May 15, 2015, the Health Technology Clinical Committee (HTCC) made recommendations to the HCA regarding coverage for bariatric surgery as follows: Bariatric Surgery for patients aged 18 and older is a covered benefit with conditions: Limitations of Coverage For patients age ≥ 18 years of age bariatric surgery is covered for the following conditions:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 40
- BMI 35 to < 40 with at least one obesity-related co-morbidity
- BMI 30 to < 35 with Type II Diabetes Mellitus
- When covered, patients must abide by all other agency surgery program criteria (e.g., specified centers or practitioners; pre-operative psychological evaluation; participating in pre- and post-operative multidisciplinary care programs)
- These recommendations were accepted for Final Adoption July 10, 2015, and are applicable to the following Washington State agencies:Labor and Industries, Public Employees Health Plan, and Washington State Medicaid.
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The Chapter is currently working with the State in an effort to get bariatric surgery a covered benefit through the State Health Benefit Plan (Exchange).
Support Groups
CHI Franciscan Medical Center – Federal Way campus
Second Tuesday of the month 1-2 pm
Contact 1-888-825-3227
CHI Franciscan Medical Center – Lakewood Campus
Third Monday of the month 6:30-7:30 pm
Contact 1-888-825-3227
MultiCare Deaconess Hospital.
Third Thursday of the month 6:00-7:30pm
Contact 509-755-5120
Multicare Rockwood Clinic
Third Thursday of every month 6-7:30pm
509-755-5120
Northwest Weight and Wellness Center
Second Monday of the month at 6:30pm
Third Thursday of the month at 10:00am
Fourth Monday of the month at 6:30pm with therapist for behavior and holistic support
Overlake Medical Center
Twice a month with schedule online
https://www.overlakehospital.org/services/weight-loss/support-group
Swedish Medical Center – Fourth Tuesday Issaquah Campus
Fourth Tuesday of the month 6-7pm
Contact 425-313-7947
Swedish Medical Center – Seattle First Hill Campus
Second Saturday of the month 10-11:30am
Contact 206-215-2090
University of Washington Medical Center – Center for Weight Management Metabolic Surgery
Weight Management Clinic
First Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7pm
Contact: Ruth Foster Koth LISW at 206-598-1752
Virginia Mason Medical Center – Federal Way Campus
Fourth Wednesday of the month 6-8pm
Contact: Connie Miller at 206-341-1997
Virginia Mason Medical Center – Seattle Campus
Fourth Thursday of the month 5:30-7:30 pm
Contact: Connie Miller at 206-341-1997