News Release

Northwestern Memorial Hospital named Bariatric Surgery Society 'Center of Excellence'

Grant and Award Announcement

Northwestern Memorial HealthCare

The Bariatric Surgery practice at Northwestern Memorial Hospital was recently designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS).

"With more than two-thirds of Americans overweight or obese, bariatric surgery is becoming many people's last resort for overcoming it," said Jay Prystowsky, bariatric surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. "It is important for surgical candidates to know that the institution performing the surgery has been recognized among its toughest critics – its peers – for optimal performance and patient outcomes."

Northwestern Memorial went through a rigorous process to be considered for the designation, which included numerous applications, data review of short- and long-term patient outcomes, and an on-site inspection of equipment, supplies and surgeon training. The review was conducted by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), which administers the ASBS's Center of Excellence program.

The Bariatric Surgery practice at Northwestern Memorial Hospital not only includes specialists in bariatric surgery who, combined, have performed more than 900 surgeries since 1999, but who also work in conjunction with the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Wellness Institute for pre- and post-surgery support in nutrition, exercise and behavioral modifications. Candidates for bariatric surgery, which includes gastric by-pass and lap band, must have a body mass index (BMI) over 35, exceed their ideal body weight by at least 100 pounds, and have tried other weight-loss programs with little or no success.

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About Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Northwestern Memorial Hospital is one of the country's premier academic medical centers and is the primary teaching hospital of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. Northwestern Memorial and its Prentice Women's Hospital and Stone Institute of Psychiatry have 744 beds and more than 1,400 affiliated physicians and 5,000 employees. Providing state-of-the-art care, Northwestern Memorial is recognized for its outstanding clinical and surgical advancements in such areas as cardiothoracic and vascular care, gastroenterology, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, organ and bone marrow transplantation and women's health.

Northwestern Memorial was the sole recipient of the prestigious 2005 National Quality Health Care Award and eight of its medical specialties are listed in this year's U.S. News & World Report's issue of "America's Best Hospitals." The hospital also has been cited as one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine six consecutive years and has been chosen by Chicago-area consumers for more than a decade as their "most preferred hospital" in National Research Corporation's annual survey.


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