MEDIA RELEASE

Kona Community Hospital announces the recent opening the Kona Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center.

The center is a collaboration with Alii Health Center and is offering a comprehensive weight loss program including medical and surgical weight loss options previously unavailable in west Hawaii.

A multidisciplinary team at the new center will offer patients with weight-related health issues a comprehensive weight loss program including medically managed weight loss and bariatric surgery.

The team includes bariatric surgeons, physicians, a psychologist, dietician, physical therapist, and the surgery team at Kona Community Hospital.

“Our program will create an individualized plan of care to meet the medical, physical and emotional needs of each patient,” said bariatric surgeon Nathan Tomita, DO, MPH. “Obesity is a chronic disease that is difficult to treat. We work closely with patients to determine which weight loss option is best for each individual.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than one in twenty adults is considered to be morbidly obese. Those suffering from obesity often have obesity-related co- morbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Obesity patients are at increased risk for disability or premature death. For these patients, losing weight can be a lifesaver.

“Although we offer medically managed weight loss for obesity, for some patients, bariatric surgery may be a more appropriate option,” said Tomita, who has performed hundreds of surgical weight loss procedures.

Surgical weight loss options offered include Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and adjustable gastric banding, all using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.

“Our goal is to provide personalized treatment to each patient based on their needs and health status,” said April McGeorge, Nurse Practitioner.

McGeorge who is the center’s Medical Bariatric Coordinator added, “We’re committed to helping our patients achieve long-term, life changing weight loss.”

To learn more about medical and surgical weight loss options at Kona Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center, or to sign up for a free information session, call (808) 747-8321 (Option No. 2).

Founded in 1914, KCH is a 94-bed full-service acute care hospital and Level III trauma center with a 24-hour emergency department supporting the west region of the island of Hawaii.

It is a member of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, a special agency of the state of Hawaii established in 1996. It is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. KCH is dedicated to providing and enhancing accessible comprehensive healthcare services to the West Hawaii community.

Alii Health Center provides high quality medical care to the West Hawaii community in collaboration and support of Kona Community Hospital. Its goal is to provide a compassionate and caring environment in a spirit of service that reflects the center’s core values of listening, caring and leading. Alii Health is an affiliate of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, a special agency of the state of Hawaii established in 1996.

The center is a private 501(c)(3), with a separate governing board of representatives from HHSC and its regional CEO’s.