Bariatric Surgery Program Designated A Center of Excellence

August 8, 2006

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Bariatric Surgery Program at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has been designated a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery.

The Centers of Excellence program focuses on appropriate patient selection, comprehensive pre-operative evaluation, excellent surgical outcomes, careful and long term post-operative support and follow-up, and continuous improvement of care, outcomes and patient satisfaction.

The program is based on information collected from Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) and BCBSNC claims data with input from BCBSNC’s Bariatric Physician Advisory Panel.

The Bariatric Surgery Program at Wake Forest Baptist is headed by surgeon Adolfo “Fuzz” Fernandez, M.D., who is fellowship-trained in bariatric surgery.

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About Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center: Wake Forest Baptist is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University School of Medicine. It is licensed to operate 1,187 acute care, psychiatric, rehabilitation and long-term care beds and is consistently ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report.

Media Relations

Jonnie Rohrer: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587

Karen Richardson: krchrdsn@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-4453