Franciscan Health recertified as Bariatric Center of Excellence

The Franciscan Health Center for Bariatric Surgery Olympia Fields has been recertified as a Center of Excellence by the Clinical Sciences Institute of Optum.

Center of Excellence bariatric centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities proven to deliver quality specialty care based on objective measures developed with input from the medical community for improved patient safety and health outcomes.

To earn certification, a healthcare facility must demonstrate success in meeting patient safety as well as bariatric-specific quality measures, including complications and readmissions for bariatric procedures. A healthcare facility must also have earned national accreditations at both the facility level and bariatric care levels.

“Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is proud to again be recognized by Optum for meeting the rigorous selection criteria for bariatric surgery,” Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Bariatric Medical Director Gerald Cahill, MD, said. “We are grateful for the hard work, dedication and untiring commitment of the entire team at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields that has made this achievement possible.”

Sheree Boyd, director of operations for Specialty Physicians of Illinois, had a gastric band procedure years ago, but learned that leaving it in place for a long period of time can cause significant health issues. In a single procedure, Dr. Cahill removed the gastric band performed gastric bypass surgery.

“I was 243 pounds and now I’m down to 134, exceeding my goal of 145,” Boyd said. “Now the only pill I take is a vitamin.”

The Franciscan Health Center for Bariatric Surgery Olympia Fields is located at 3700 W. 203rd St., Suite 302, on the Franciscan Health Olympia Fields campus. To schedule a consultation, call (708) 855-8073.