Rural Committee

Arnold D. Salzberg, MD FACS
Chair

Linden Karas, MD FACS
Co-Chair

Pearl Ma, MD FACS DABOM DABS-FPMBS FASMBS
Board of Directors Liaison

Members

Stephanie Cox, PhD ABPP
Bree Dewing, MD FACS
Tammy Fouse, DO, Immediate Past Chair
Ashley Gerrish, MD
Magdy Giurgius, MD FACS

Brandon Helbling, MD FACS
Kevin Helling, MD FACS, Senior Past Chair
Abi James, MD
Megan Lundgren, MD
Joseph Moran, MD FACS
John Pender, MD FACS DABS-FPMBS

Walter Pories, MD
Raza Shariff, MD FACS
Jessica Smith, MD MPH FACS
James Taggart, MD
Ellen Vogels, DO
Brian Walkowski, MD
Kashif Zuberi, MD

ASMBS Staff Liaison

Leslie Vinson

ASMBS Rural Committee Sites

Charge

In alignment with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) mission to elevate global health and quality of life by significantly reducing the impact of obesity and its related illnesses, the Rural Committee is charged with representing rural bariatric surgical practices, fostering best care practices, identifying unique challenges faced in rural settings, and facilitating potential solutions. Composed of surgeons and integrated health section professionals serving bariatric patients in rural or isolated areas, the committee advises and supports ASMBS membership concerning practice trends and issues specific to rural bariatric surgery.

Description

The Rural Committee serves as a vital resource for rural surgical practices, aiming to ensure high quality comprehensive programs in rural settings. By identifying challenges, providing solutions, and advocating for accreditation, the committee supports the delivery of optimal care to bariatric patients in rural communities.

Objectives

  • Identify rural bariatric surgical practices to promote collaboration, representing the interests of and improving bariatric patient care in rural settings.
  • Identify challenges unique to rural practitioners in metabolic and bariatric surgery and offer evidence-based solutions to address rural challenges.

Goals

  • Conduct Rural Outcomes IRB research project and publish data.
  • Ensure participation of all rural practices in MBSAQIP and assist in accreditation.
  • Create a collaborative network of rural bariatric surgery practitioners by creating a platform for collaboration.

2024/2025 Projects

  • MBSAQIP Accreditation and Insurance Toolkits for Rural Programs with Limited Resources – in porgress.

2023/2024 Completed Projects

  • Committee Spotlight Session at 2024 ASMBS Annual Meeting.
  • Rural WhatsApp Group for Networking.

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