Published on June 25, 2007
Alexian Bariatric Surgery Program Receives Top National Designations
Alexian Brothers Medical Center, and Suburban Surgical Care Specialists led by Dr. James Kane Jr., have earned top national designations for its bariatric surgery program from two leading healthcare institutions.
The American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS), the largest society for this specialty in the world, has named Alexian's bariatric surgery program as a nationally designated "Center of Excellence". Each ASBS designated Center of Excellence program must pass a rigorous approval process that includes site inspections and peer reviews. Recipients of the designation must have the necessary components and expertise to deliver bariatric surgical care with the highest levels of efficacy, efficiency, and safety, with excellent short and long-term patient outcomes.
Last month, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) named Alexian Brothers Medical Center as a Designated Center for Bariatric Surgery. The BCBSIL designation is based on surgical volume and outcomes, as well as resources available to care for bariatric patients pre- and post-surgery. With the recognition, Alexian Brothers Medical Center becomes one of only seven such BCBS designated facilities in Illinois, and one of the few to receive these designations from both institutions. The Alexian bariatric surgery program was one of the first such programs in the nation. Founded by Dr. James Kane Sr., some of the earliest bariatric surgical procedures were pioneered at Alexian Brothers Medical Center.
Today, Suburban Surgical Care Specialists continues to be a leader in bariatric surgery, performing nearly 600 laparoscopic bariatric procedures yearly, including gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding at Alexian's suburban Chicago hospitals. "With these new Center of Excellence designations, Alexian's Bariatric Program is poised to continue to expand and further develop its reputation as a pre-eminent program in the region and beyond," said Dr. James Kane Jr. Alexian Brothers Medical Center was recently named among the top 50 hospitals in digestive disorders by U.S.News and World Report in the magazine's annual "America's Best Hospitals" list, which identifies hospitals that excel in a variety of difficult cases across a specialty.
