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Center for Surgical Weight Loss & Wellness at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Designated As Center of Excellence

Posted on: Wednesday, 28 December 2005, 12:00 CST

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., Dec. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Surgical Weight Loss & Wellness at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC) has been named an American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence (BSCOE). Alexander Onopchenko, MD, FACS, medical director of the Center for Surgical Weight Loss & Wellness at ARMC; and Samir Patel, MD, staff physician at ARMC and member of Salartash Surgical Associates, also received this prestigious designation. The ASBS Center of Excellence designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery.

Faced with clinical evidence that the most experienced and best-run bariatric surgery programs have by far the lowest rates of complications, the ASBS 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.

To earn a Center of Excellence designation, the Center for Surgical Weight Loss & Wellness at ARMC 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. The Center for Surgical Weight Loss & Wellness at ARMC and other centers receiving the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence designation agree to continue to share information on clinical pathways, protocols and outcomes data.

"We are extremely honored to receive this prestigious designation," said Alexander Onopchenko, MD, FACS, medical director of the Center for Surgical Weight Loss & Wellness. "The ASBS Center of Excellence certification validates our commitment to providing a comprehensive program that gives patients the tools they need to achieve long-term success with weight loss."

Bariatric surgery, when performed correctly, can help obese patients manage these conditions. By definition, surgeons with ASBS Center of Excellence designations practice only top-quality care, ensuring efficacy of the procedure with each patient to the best of their abilities. At the Center for Surgical Weight Loss & Wellness at ARMC, bariatric surgeons demonstrate this willingness to take the extra step by providing extensive preoperative education and preparation to patients; delivering the best possible technical operations with quality control and outcomes monitoring; and providing close postoperative care and support with compassion, indicative of a program approach to the treatment of the morbidly obese individual.

The Center for Surgical Weight Loss & Wellness at ARMC performs laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAP-BAND(R)). For information about the Center for Surgical Weight Loss & Wellness at ARMC, minimally invasive weight loss surgery or our free seminars, call 1-866-WGT-MGMT or visit http://www.atlanticare.org/.

AtlantiCare is a regional healthcare organization based in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, whose more than 4,000 employees serve the healthcare needs of the community at more than 60 locations. It includes AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC), the AtlantiCare Foundation, AtlantiCare Health Plans, AtlantiCare Behavioral Health, AtlantiCare Health Services and InfoShare, an information resources and technology company. ARMC is one of the elite hospitals nationwide to achieve the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital designation for service excellence and patient satisfaction, two years in a row for 2004 and 2005. ARMC became the 105th hospital in the nation to attain status as a Magnet(TM) designated hospital in March of 2004.

AtlantiCare

CONTACT: Jennifer Tornetta, +1-609-569-7010,jennifer.tornetta@atlanticare.org, Linda Valente-Rose, +1-609-449-4318,linda.valente@atlanticare.org, Frank Tedesco, +1-609-407-2224,frank.tedesco@atlanticare.org, all of AtlantiCare

Web site: http://www.atlanticare.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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