The rebranded Kentucky Bariatric Institute reflects the unique specialization of the bariatrics-only center, which is now the national training ground for Lifepoint Health facilities
Georgetown, Kentucky (January 17, 2023) – Georgetown Bariatrics and Advanced Surgical Services unveiled today a new name and brand to better reflect the services provided to patients and its status as a national training ground for bariatric programs within Lifepoint Health, the parent company of the practice and Georgetown Community Hospital. Georgetown Bariatrics and Advanced Surgical Services will now be called Kentucky Bariatric Institute and will continue to provide services to patients in the same location and under the direction of Dr. Eric Smith, who has been part of the medical staff at Georgetown Community Hospital since 2013.
“We are so pleased to be able to share this new identity with our community,” said Cliff Wilson, CEO of Georgetown Community Hospital and Market President of Central Kentucky Lifepoint, of which Kentucky Bariatric Institute is a part. “The new name and brand underscores the specialization that we have at the practice as well as the work that Dr. Eric Smith has done to create a training ground for prospective bariatric programs across the country.”
While the practice is getting a new look, it’s important to note that the care provided is not changing. “We want to emphasize that only the practice name and brand are changing. Patients will receive the same high-quality care as always, with the same physician and staff and in the same locations,” added Wilson.
Dr. Eric Smith, who has been leading the practice for the last ten years, is a national proctor, speaker, and teacher for Intuitive Surgical, the maker of the Da Vinci Robot, in the specialty of robotic bariatric surgery. Smith is board certified in bariatric and robotic surgery and an SRC, or Surgical Review Corporation, Master Surgeon in Robotic Surgery. He has performed over 6,000 bariatric surgeries for patients from across Kentucky and beyond.
“What sets us apart from some programs is our approach to treating obesity,” said Dr. Smith. “There are a lot of people who would see tremendous health benefits from weight loss. We know from the statistics that diet and exercise alone have poor long-term success rates—only 5%. But for those who have bariatric surgery, the success rate is 50%.”
Kentucky Bariatric Institute will continue to offer patients the same compassionate, comprehensive care that has been a hallmark of the practice for years. The practice’s multidisciplinary approach to bariatric services includes surgical and medical weight loss providers working collaboratively with dietitians, insurance and intake coordinators, psychologists, and experienced surgical teams to ensure successful, safe, quality care at every step of a patient’s weight loss journey.
Georgetown Community Hospital, where Smith performs all surgical cases, features comfortable, private rooms for in the bariatric unit, where bariatric patients can receive pre- and post-operative care all in one location. Additionally, the hospital has added new equipment and remote patient monitoring capability to create a more patient-centered atmosphere for all.
Kentucky Bariatric Institute will also serve as a roadmap for aspirant bariatric programs and a resource for existing bariatric programs within Lifepoint Health. Kentucky Bariatric Institute remains located at 1002 Lexington Road, Suite 25-B, Georgetown, KY 40324. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. To learn more, please visit KentuckyBariatricInstitute.com or call 502.570.3727.
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About Georgetown Community Hospital
Georgetown Community Hospital, part of Lifepoint Health®, provides high-quality healthcare services in Central Kentucky and is dedicated to making communities healthier®. A 75-bed, acute care facility, Georgetown Community Hospital offers a wide range of both inpatient and outpatient services, including emergency medicine, general/robotic surgery, oncology/hematology, orthopedics, radiology, bariatrics, rehabilitation services, women’s services and women’s imaging (including 3D mammography). The hospital has been recognized for its commitment to quality care and patient safety by national organizations such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, American College of Cardiology (Chest Pain Center accreditation), American College of Radiology, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Blue Distinction Status from Blue Cross Blue Shield (Bariatrics), Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety and the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Additionally, Georgetown Community Hospital has earned designation as a LifePoint Health National Quality Leader for its ongoing efforts to transform its culture of safety and achieve high standards of quality care, performance improvement and patient engagement. For more information about Georgetown Community Hospital, please call 502.868.1100 or visit GeorgetownCommunityHospital.com.