Please note that the State and Local Chapters Committee is not accepting new member applications at this time. Committee membership is currently by appointment only. Click here to learn more about our State Chapters
Judy Chen, FACS ABOM FASMBS
Chair
Dino Spaniolas, MD FACS FASMBS
Co-Chair
Pearl Ma, MD FACS DABOM DABS-FPMBS FASMBS
Board of Directors Liaison
Members | Chapter Presidents
Christopher Daigle, FRCSC FACS FASMBS, Immediate Past Chair
Forrest Ringold, MD FACS, Alabama
David Podkameni, MD, Arizona
Pearl Ma, MD FACS ABOM DABS-FPMS FASMBS, California/Nevada
Keri Seymour, DO, Carolinas
Jonathan Schoen, MD, Colorado
Saber Ghiassi, MD MPH FASMBS, Connecticut
John Pender, MD, Dakota Yellowstone
Isaias Irgau, MD, Delaware
Christopher DuCoin, MD MPH FACS FASMBS, Florida, Puerto Rico & The Caribbean
Renee Hilton, MD FASMBS, Georgia
Brian Wong, MD, Hawaii
Jessica Smith, MD MPH FACS FASMBS, Iowa
Amir Heydari, MD FASMBS, Illinois
Dimitrios Stefanidis, MD FACS, Indiana
G. Brice Hamilton, MD FASMBS, Kansas
Shauna Levy, MD, Louisiana
Barry Greene, MD, Maryland
Jon Schram, MD, Michigan
Jayson Dock, MD, Minnesota
Deepu Sudhakaran, MD, Missouri
David Carroll, MD FASMBS, Mississippi
Vishal Kothari, MD FACS, Nebraska
Matthew Hutter, MD MPH FASMBS, New England
Prakash Paragi, MD, New Jersey
Konstantinos Spaniolas, MD FACS FASMBS, New York
Leslie Pristas, DO FACS FASMBS, Ohio/Kentucky
Brandon Varnell, MD, Oklahoma/Arkansas
Erika La Vella, DO FASMBS, Oregon
Maria Altieri, MD MS, Pennsylvania
Matthew Spann, MD MMHC FACS FASMBS, Tennessee
Benjamin Clapp, MD FASMBS, Texas
Jennifer Salluzzo, MD FACS FASMBS, Virginia/West Virginia
Sara Martin del Campo, MD, Washington
Daniel McKenna, MD, Wisconsin
Members | Integrated Health Section Leaders
Carah Horn, MBA-HCA BSN RN, Florida, Integrated Health Section Lead
Amie Rothe, Aimee Rothe, BSN RN CEN TCRN NHDP-BC AFAA-CGFI NASM-CNC CBN
Lauren Pellizzon, MS RD, Arizona
Lynelle Diede, MS RN-BC CBN, Colorado
Dawn Garcia, APRN, Connecticut
Kristen Gordon, BSN RN CBN, Dakota Yellowstone (ID,MT,SD,ND,WY)
Gwen Crispell, MSN RN, Florida, Puerto Rico & The Caribbean
Alissa Lilla, MPAS PA-C CSOWM, Iowa
Betsy Felde, MBA RDN LDN, Illinois
Sarah Muntel, RD, Indiana
Laura Boyer, FNP-C CBN, Louisiana
Natalie Stephens, RDN, Maryland
Rachel Blind, NP-BC, Michigan
Michelle Cusumano, NP-C, Missouri
Kristin Turek, CNP, Mississippi
Melissa Page, MS RD CSOWM LDN, New England (ME, NH, MA, RI, VT)
Catherine Tuppo, PT MS CLT-LANA, New York
Amy Laktash, APRN MSN NP-C, Ohio/Kentucky
Shirley Bearden, RN CBN, Oklahoma/Arkansas
Greg Showell, RN CBN, Oregon
Cynthia Hipszer, RN MSN CNML CBN, Pennsylvania
Cindy Blalock, MSN AGPCNP-BC, Tennessee
Connie Klein, APRNC, Texas
Leah Loomis, DNP ACNP-BC, Virginia/West Virginia
Julie Vieselmeyer, PhD, Washington
ASMBS Staff Liaison
Leslie Vinson
Charge
In alignment with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) mission to elevate global health and quality of life by significantly reducing the impact of obesity and its related illnesses, the State & Local Chapters Committee is entrusted with fostering communication between health professionals on obesity and related conditions at the grassroots level, extending to state legislatures and the U.S. Capitol. This entails promoting collegiality among colleagues and programs, advancing the work of chapters through collaboration, and facilitating timely communication and networking.
Description
The State & Local Chapters Committee plays a pivotal role in supporting the mission of ASMBS chapters by assisting in chapter formation and primarily monitoring ongoing activities. By promoting collaboration and communication, the committee aims to enhance the impact and effectiveness of chapters in serving the educational and professional needs of members.
Objectives
- Enhanced communication between individual members and ASMBS leadership.
- Encourage participation of practicing metabolic and bariatric surgeons and integrated health professionals in ASMBS and the Chapters.
- Offer Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits during Chapter meetings.
- Assist in implementing projects and communications from other committees and ASMBS leadership through the Chapters as they roll out to the general ASMBS membership.
Goals
- Increase participation of metabolic and bariatric surgeons and integrated health professionals in ASMBS and chapter activities.
- Expand educational offerings and CME opportunities during chapter meetings.
- Facilitate seamless integration of projects from other committees into chapter activities.
2024/2025 Current Projects
2023/2024 Completed Projects
- State Chapter meetings at the 2024 ASMBS Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, June 2024
- Published State Chapters Toolkit, June 2024
Apply to Join a Committee
