Published on October 15, 2024
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital Earns Re-Accreditation as a Bariatric Surgery “Center of Excellence”
Owensboro-area program meets criteria as a Center of Excellence, according to national quality standards established to deliver safe, high-quality metabolic and bariatric patient care.
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital announced that its bariatric surgery program has been re-accredited as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®).
This accreditation recognizes providers who deliver exceptional care for patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery. The designation assures patients that they can expect safer, more effective treatment and comprehensive support from a program that meets nationally established quality standards.
“At Owensboro Health, we are more than just a healthcare system—we are a dedicated partner in your journey to better health. Our commitment to expert care and continuous advancement sets us apart as leaders in the region, and this designation reflects that,” said Beth Renschler, Director and Chief Nursing Officer of Clinic Operations for Owensboro Health Medical Group. “It allows patients to have complete confidence in their surgeon and the entire care team. I want to congratulate Dr. Alapati and his team for their outstanding work and the success of this program over the past six years.”
Owensboro Health’s bariatric surgery program, led by Ravi Alapati, MD, FACS, FASMBS, has provided life-changing results for more than 1,000 patients since its inception in 2018. Dr. Alapati, a board-certified general surgeon with advanced fellowship training in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery, is dedicated to helping patients achieve better health and an improved quality of life.
To earn MBSAQIP accreditation, Owensboro Health Regional Hospital met stringent criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure, and patient-care protocols. As part of the process, an experienced bariatric surgeon conducted an in-depth site visit to review the program’s structure, processes, and clinical outcomes. The program received its first three-year MBSAQIP accreditation in 2021.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 100 million adults in the United States are affected by obesity, a condition that significantly increases the risk of serious health issues such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Metabolic and bariatric surgery has been proven effective in reducing obesity-related health risks and improving patient outcomes.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.