NORTH HILLS HOSPITAL RECEIVES BARIATRIC CENTER OF EXCELLENCE AWARD DESIGNATION

(North Richland Hills, Texas)— North Hills Hospital has been recognized as a “Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence” by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery, the top accreditation offered for Bariatric Surgery Centers.

To become a Center of Excellence, North Hills Hospital went through a lengthy application process that included a site visit, a review of medical charts and patient outcomes, and a lengthy interview with Dr. David Kim, Medical Director and surgeon for the Bariatric Surgery Center.

“Our first priority at North Hills Hospital is quality of care, and this designation of Bariatric Center of Excellence reinforces that emphasis on quality. My congratulations goes to Dr. David Kim and the multi-disciplinary team of nurses, dieticians, physical therapists, respiratory therapists and others who worked very hard to receive this prestigious recognition,” said Randy Moresi, North Hills Hospital CEO.

The Bariatric Surgery Center at North Hills was established in 2003 and was the first to offer Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery in Tarrant County. In 2005 Dr. Kim introduced Lap Band surgery, offering patients an alternative form of weight loss surgery.  All patients go through a rigorous education and screening process, and after the surgery become part of a support group to learn from others who have been in the same situation.

The American Society for Bariatric Surgery established its Center of Excellence accreditation after identifying a need to recognize centers that perform well and to help surgeons and hospitals reach optimal levels of performance.

Institutions qualify for designation as an American Society for Bariatric Surgery Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence when they can document to the Surgical Review Corporation that 1) they have the resources to perform safe bariatric surgery, and 2) they have excellent short and long-term outcomes. These indices, therefore, not only document process, including equipment, supplies, training of surgeons, and the availability of consultant services, but also emphasize results.

For more information on the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence at North Hills Hospital, visit www.nhhbariatric.com, or contact hospital spokesperson Bethe Spurlock at (817) 255-1893.

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