The UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery has been reaccredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as a comprehensive center for bariatric and metabolic surgery.
The ACS inspects programs across the country to identify centers that provide safe, high-quality care to patients through the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).
The MBSAQIP evaluates both inpatient and outpatient bariatric centers through independent, voluntary, and rigorous peer evaluations conducted every three years. This process ensures that centers maintain their accreditation status and allows for yearly reporting of their activities.
“We take pride in the excellent outcomes achieved by patients who receive treatment here at UAB. Our primary goals as bariatric surgeons are to positively impact our patients' lives and help them experience an enhanced quality of life,” says UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Professor Richard Stahl, M.D.
In addition to providing nationally recognized care, the UAB bariatric surgery service line also supports educational initiatives. Training is offered through rotations for general surgery residents and a fellowship program in minimally invasive surgery, advanced gastrointestinal surgery, and abdominal wall reconstruction. The fellowship program is designed to enhance the skills and proficiency of general surgery graduates in bariatric surgery.
“Our team is dedicated to streamlining services to ensure our patients receive the most effective care possible. Our nurses and advanced practice providers work diligently to make the process of care for each patient as seamless as possible,” says UAB Bariatric Surgery Medical Director Margaux Mustian, M.D, MSPH.
The UAB bariatric surgery service line is committed to safely integrating the latest advancements in the field into curated patient care plans, and its faculty are active participants in events such as the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Hernia Society, and Digestive Diseases Week.
“The success of our bariatric surgery service line is a direct result of the hard work of our clinical team and staff. They ensure that pre-operative preparations are thorough and that careful follow-up is conducted to achieve the best possible outcomes. Our faculty members, nursing teams, support staff, residents, and fellows consistently pay close attention to all the patients we care for, and their dedication is a key foundation for our achievement of reaccreditation with the MBSAQIP,” says UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Director Daniel Chu, M.D., MSPH.
About the UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery
The UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery consists of more than 20 dedicated faculty members, along with a network of advanced practice providers and support staff, all committed to ensuring excellent patient care. In addition to bariatric and metabolic surgery, the division specializes in colorectal, foregut, and hernia surgery.