Louisiana Obesity Society to Host Inaugural Conference on Aug. 12 in New Orleans

Physicians, psychologists, advanced practice providers, dietitians, and others who are committed to treating and preventing obesity in Louisiana have come together to formally launch the Louisiana Obesity Society, a new statewide professional organization. The Louisiana Obesity Society will be hosting its inaugural annual conference in conjunction with the Louisiana Chapter of American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery on Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Renaissance New Orleans Arts Warehouse District Hotel in New Orleans.

The Louisiana Obesity Society was created to support providers treating obesity through education and networking. The society will also advocate for health insurance coverage for evidenced-based, comprehensive obesity care. Dr. Phil Schauer, director of the Metamor Institute and professor of metabolic surgery at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, will serve as the society's president; Dr. Catherine Hudson of the LSU Health Sciences Center will serve as vice president; and Dr. Katie Queen, pediatrician at Our Lady of the Angels Hospital, will serve as the society's treasurer.

"Too many people in Louisiana are suffering from severe health consequences of obesity and do not have access to health providers with expertise in obesity treatment, Dr. Schauer said. "LOS was created to fill that gap."

Those interested in membership and attending the conference can sign up for both at www.louisianaobesitysociety.org. Annual dues are $100 for physicians and $50 for non-physicians. The conference is free for physicians and $100 for non-members. The Renaissance New Orleans Arts Warehouse District Hotel is located at 700 Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans.

"There are a number of resources and a lot of talented individuals working to combat obesity in our state," said Dr. John Kirwan, executive director of Pennington Biomedical. "Having an organization like the Louisiana Obesity Society that's able to bring all those people together will strengthen the fight against one of our state's most prevalent diseases."

About the Pennington Biomedical Research Center

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is at the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the triggers of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia. The Center architected the national "Obecity, U.S." awareness and advocacy campaign to help solve the obesity epidemic by 2040. The Center conducts basic, clinical, and population research, and is affiliated with LSU.

The research enterprise at Pennington Biomedical includes over 480 employees within a network of 40 clinics and research laboratories, and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Its scientists and physician/scientists are supported by research trainees, lab technicians, nurses, dietitians, and other support personnel. Pennington Biomedical a state-of-the-art research facility on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge.

For more information, see www.pbrc.edu.

Provided by Louisiana State University