Via Christi Weight Management has received bariatric surgery accreditation—the first program in Wichita to achieve this prestigious designation.
The accreditation was awarded by the American College of Surgeons’ Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.
“Accreditation is a major milestone for Via Christi Weight Management,” said Brent Lancaster, MD, FACS, of Wichita Surgical Specialists, who serves as the program’s medical director. “This recognition will convey the quality and safety of our program for those considering where to have bariatric surgery. Our standards assure that they will receive excellent care.”
Since the Via Christi Weight Management team performed its first surgery in 2002, more than 1,180 patients have undergone bariatric surgery. On average, patients undergoing gastric sleeve surgeries achieved a 70-pound weight loss at one year, while those undergoing gastric bypass achieved a 100-pound weight loss.
The MBSAQIP program accredits inpatient and outpatient bariatric surgery centers in the United States and Canada that have undergone an independent, voluntary, and rigorous peer evaluation in accordance with nationally recognized bariatric surgical standards. Bariatric surgery accreditation promotes uniform standard benchmarks and also supports continuous quality improvement.
Via Christi’s Bariatric Surgery program is based at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis. For more information about the program, call 316-689-5232 or visit viachristi.org/weightloss.
Contact: Maria Loving, 316-719-3343, [email protected]
