For immediate release: Sept. 25, 2007
GALVESTON, Texas - The Center for Weight Management at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has been designated a Level 1A "Center of Excellence" by the American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Center Network Accreditation Program. The center is one of only two with a Level 1A designation in Texas.
As a Level 1A "Center of Excellence," the bariatric center can handle the most challenging and complex patients with optimal opportunity for safe and effective outcome, according to the accreditation program. The designation also means the center is a Medicare-approved facility.
Although the period of accreditation is for three years, the center must maintain its accreditation status by submitting an annual report documenting its continued compliance with the program's requirements and must also report its surgical outcomes.
The ACS developed the accreditation program to foster high-quality surgical care for patients who undergo bariatric surgery. Only those facilities that perform a minimum of 125 operations per year, implement defined standards of care, document their outcomes and participate in periodic reviews and verifications of their programs in bariatric surgery are recognized.
The UTMB Center for Weight Management offers monthly weight loss seminars for people interested in learning about the options available through the center. According to Dr. Marilyn Marx, the center's co-director, the weight-loss procedures offered are proven to save live by eliminating serious obesity-related illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes. For more information, please visit www.utmb.edu/cwm.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Public Affairs Office
301 University Boulevard, Suite 3.102
Galveston, Texas 77555-0144
www.utmb.edu