In order to help people suffering from severe obesity
Quebec City, September 19, 2011—Université Laval rector Denis Brière and the director of Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ) Research Center, Dr. Denis Richard, announced today the creation of Canada’s first research chair in bariatric and metabolic surgery.
The chair’s several goals will include optimizing management practices for patients awaiting bariatric surgery, improving post-operative monitoring, and developing minimally invasive therapeutic interventions for those suffering from severe obesity. The senior chairholder will be Université Laval research professor André Tchernof, an expert in the field of molecular endocrinology. He will be assisted by IUCPQ surgeon and clinician Dr. Fady Moustarah.
Creation of the chair has been made possible by the support of Ethicon Endo-Surgery Canada.
Since the late 1970s, the incidence of severe obesity—defined as a body mass index of over 40—has increased by 233% in Canada, rising from 0.9% to 2.1% among the adult population. Bariatric surgery is the only treatment currently available resulting in significant and lasting weight loss among people with this condition. The operation consists in decreasing the size of the stomach and reorganizing part of the small intestine in order to create a feeling of early satiation and reduce nutrient absorption.
“The team of bariatric surgeons at Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec has developed outstanding clinical expertise over the past 30 years,” noted Rector Brière. “The chair we are announcing today testifies to both the Institute’s and Université Laval’s excellent reputations in obesity research.”
“The creation of the Research chair in bariatric and metabolic surgery is perfectly in line with the IUCPQ’s mission and consolidates our international leadership in the field of obesity research,” declared Dr. Richard.
“Today, because of research, we know more about obesity and related co-morbidities than we did a year ago,” said Andy Williams, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Ethicon Endo-Surgery in Canada. “At Ethicon Endo-Surgery we have an opportunity to help transform patient care in Canada and chart a new course by partnering with researchers, surgeons and other health care providers in the fight against obesity.”
About Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Ethicon Endo-Surgery develops and markets advanced medical devices for minimally invasive and open surgical procedures, focusing on procedure-enabling devices for the interventional diagnosis and treatment of conditions in general and bariatric surgery, as well as gastrointestinal health, gynecology and surgical oncology. More information can be found at www.ethiconendosurgery.com.
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Information:
Joël Clément
Assistant to the director general, public relations and communications manager
Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec
418-656-4932
joel.clement@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Courtney Cole
Corporate Communications
Johnson and Johnson Medical Companies
905-946-2180
ccole2@its.JNJ.com
Source:
Jean-François Huppé
Media Relations
Université Laval
418-656-7785
jean-francois.huppe@dc.ulaval.ca