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PURPOSE AND HISTORY OF THE ASBS
Founded in 1983, the Society’s leadership has established an excellent organization which produces quality educational and other programs for surgeons and allied health professionals on a regular basis.
The purpose of the Society is to advance the art and science of bariatric surgery by continued encouragement of its members to:
• Pursue investigations in both the clinic and laboratory
• Interchange ideas, information and experience pertaining to bariatric surgery
• Promote guidelines for ethical patient selection and care
• Develop educational programs for physicians, paramedical persons and lay people
• Promote outcome studies and quality assurance
The American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) is the largest society for this specialty in the world. It was organized in 1983 as an association of bariatric surgeons which emerged from the earlier University of Iowa Colloquia on bariatric surgery founded and directed by Dr. Edward E. Mason who was also the Society’s first president.
MEMBERSHIP
Regular Membership- A general surgeon who is one of the following:
• Certified by the American Board of Surgery
• Certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery
• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
• Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
and has performed a minimum of 25 bariatric procedures as the primary surgeon within the past two years. (supporting forms by one Regular ASBS member and one from the Chief of Surgery/Staff of their primary hospital).
Affiliate Surgeon Membership*- A general surgeon who is NOT:
• Certified by the American Board of Surgery
• Certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery
• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
• Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
and/or has NOT performed a minimum of 25 bariatric procedures as the primary surgeon.
Affliate Physician Membership*- A medical doctor who is not a surgeon.
Medical Student/Resident/Fellow*- A medical student, resident or fellow who is training in the field of bariatric surgery (medical students and residents and fellows must reapply for Affiliate Surgeon or Regular Membership.)
Associate Member* - Allied health care professional.
Honorary Member - Nonmember who has made outstanding contributions to the field of bariatric surgery.
Senior Member - Regular, affiliate or associate member who has been in good standing for 25 or more years or has reached the age of 65.
Distinguished Member - Member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of bariatric surgery.
* Supporting letter/form by one Regular member required
ASBS MEETINGS
The society sponsors an Annual Meeting, traditionally in June, which brings together the world’s leading surgeons and other interested health care professionals. This meeting includes a plenary session as well as surgeon and allied health courses.
Plenary Session- Plenary Session includes the Annual Edward E. Mason Founders Lecture, a basic sciences Distinguised Lectureship, poster and video presentations and an award for the John Halverson Young Investigators Award.
An informative vendor’s exhibit runs concurrently with the meeting.
Surgeons Courses- For surgeons, new and seasoned, addressing important areas and issues associated with bariatric surgery including an overview of the surgical approach to the management of the morbidly obese patient. Courses include: Essentials in Bariatric Surgery, Advanced Bariatric Surgery Course, Postgraduate Masters’ Course, Laparoscopic Cadaver Lab and Advanced Suturing Course.
Allied Health Courses- Designed for the multi-disciplinary allied health science workers including nurses, dietitians, psychologists, psychiatrists, physician assistants, social workers, patient counselors, program managers and others interested in the facets supportive of the bariatric surgical practice and research. Courses include: Allied Health General Session, Allied Health Essentials, Allied Health Advanced Surgical Support, Allied Health Master’s Course, OR Nurse and Surgical Technician Course, and Post-graduate Courses. The aforementioned courses are held at various times and locations around the country. ASBS members receive reduced registration at the ASBS Annual Meeting and Ancillary courses.
COMMITTEES
The Society plays an active role in promoting obesity surgery with committees whose tasks include pursuing improvement in the insurance milieu, development and dissemination of information about surgical and patient care equipment, evolution of care standards, and involvement in malpractice litigation related to bariatric surgery.
WEBSITE
The ASBS maintains a web site at www.asbs.org, in which can be found a listing of members with contact information along with general and patient orientated material. A password protected, member’s only section, is also included.
NEWSLETTER
Periodically, the Society publishes a more informal newsletter for its members providing timely news, etc.
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases (SOARD), the official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery is an international journal devoted to the publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts of the highest quality with objective data regarding techniques for the treatment of severe obesity. Articles document the effects of surgically induced weight loss on obesity physiological, psychiatric and social co-morbidities. The Editorial Board includes internationally prominent individuals who are devoted to the optimal treatment of the severely obese and include internists, psychiatrists, surgeons, and nutritional experts. Manuscripts are blindly reviewed without the reviewers’ knowledge of the author’s, institution or country of origin. Members receive the journal 6 times a year as part of their annual membership dues.
AFFILIATIONS
Representatives on the American College of Surgeons Board of Governors Member, Special Services Section of the American Medical Association.
MEMBERSHIP IN IFSO
The ASBS is a founding member of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO). As such, each member of the ASBS automatically becomes a member of IFSO, providing the privileges of the organization as well. Chief among these are the IFSO International Obesity Congresses held at various sites worldwide.
For more information contact:
American Society for Bariatric Surgery
100 SW 75th Street, Suite 201
Gainesville, FL 32607
PHONE: 352-331-4900
FAX: 352-331-4975
E-MAIL: info@asbs.org
Website: http://www.asbs.org
© 2004 A.S.B.S.
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