THE CHICAGO CENTER FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY EARNS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE DESIGNATION

5/27/2011 12:00:00 AM

The Chicago Center for Bariatric Surgery and Frederick M. Tiesenga, M.D., F.A.C.S., have earned the  American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® status.

The ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence program was started in 2004 to advance the safety, efficacy and efficiency of bariatric and metabolic surgical care. Surgical Review Corporation administers the program on behalf of the ASMBS. The ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence program recognizes surgeons and facilities that demonstrate an unparalleled commitment and ability to consistently deliver safe, effective, evidence-based care.

“To earn the BSCOE designation, The Chicago Center for Bariatric Surgery at Westlake Hospital and Dr. Tiesenga provided information on all aspects of our bariatric surgery program and processes, including data on our surgical outcomes,” remarks Pat Shehorn, Chief Executive Officer of Westlake Hospital. “We had to prove our commitment to safety and excellent patient care since we started the bariatric program in February 2010 and authenticate our dedication to providing exceptional care in the future.”

The Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence (BSCOE) designation demonstrates a commitment by both surgeons and facilities to build and maintain a bariatric surgery program that is truly dedicated to excellence. The designation confirms that the excellent patient care provided at center of excellence facilities is the result of both the individual surgeon and the facility at which the surgery is performed. The BSCOE designation is therefore awarded in tandem to both the surgeon and facility, which enables patients to distinguish providers who deliver high-quality perioperative and long-term follow-up care. The BSCOE program is the world’s largest center of excellence (COE) program for the specialty, with more than 700 surgeons and 400 facilities currently designated and an additional 300 surgeons and 150 facilities approved for provisional status.

As the Medical Director of the Chicago Center for Bariatric Surgery, Dr. Tiesenga is an ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence designee. Considered a leader in the field of bariatric surgery, Dr. Tiesenga is fellowship-trained in laparoscopic gastric bypass, an affiliate surgeon of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons and a proctor for the revolutionary single incision laparoscopic bariatric LAP-BAND surgery.  

“Earning the ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence designation signifies our ability to consistently deliver the safest, highest-quality care to bariatric surgery patients,” said Frederick M. Tiesenga, M.D., Medical Director of The Chicago Center for Bariatric Surgery and President of New Hope Surgical Weight Loss. “The ASMBS BSCOE program fosters quality improvement in bariatric surgery, and participation has focused our team on exceeding clinical benchmarks and guidelines. But most importantly, our commitment to excellence improves the health and well-being of our patients.”

“Since we started a bariatric program at Westlake Hospital in 2010, we committed to making  it a nationally recognized center of excellence, now it is,” says Shehorn. “To achieve that recognition in 14 months is an amazing accomplishment and testament to our commitment to helping people achieves health for life. There are only 400 programs in the United States who have received this designation. I am proud to say that The Chicago Center for Bariatric Surgery is a true Center of Excellence.”

As a result of the BSCOE designation, the Chicago Center for Bariatric Surgery is now formally recognized by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which enables the program to accept all types of government and private health insurance plans.

The Chicago Center for Bariatric Surgery at Westlake Hospital provides patients with the most advanced surgical procedures and support needed to lose excess weight and keep it off. From the pre-hospital phase through postoperative treatment, we address the entire spectrum of care including dietary, exercise, nursing and psychological support. We continually track data and outcomes to increase patient satisfaction and safety.

The multidisciplinary team is comprised of board-certified surgeons, physicians, clinical psychologist, dietician, nurse program coordinator, insurance coordinator and nurse practitioner. The team is committed to helping make each person’s weight loss a permanent success.

To learn more about the program and to register for a free information seminar, visit www.livelightertoday.com or call all 708-763-NEWU (6398).

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 Westlake Hospital has been serving Melrose Park and the surrounding communities for over 80 years. Our hospital is committed to being the leading resource in the community for health and healthcare through the development of life-long relationships focused on excellent quality, exceptional service and compassionate care.

Westlake Hospital is part of the Vanguard Health Systems that operates health care facilities in four primary urban markets with a strategy to develop locally branded comprehensive networks that bridge the best of the non-profit tradition of community, mission and service with expanded access to capital, organizational flexibility and economies of scale to enhance patient and community care.