National bariatric nursing conference to be held Nov. 6-8 in Asheville

The second annual meeting and conference of the National Association of Bariatric Nurses will be held Nov. 6-8 in Asheville.

The conference will provide educational and networking opportunities for nurses who care for morbidly obese patients and their families.

Formed in 2004, the association is dedicated to providing resources, knowledge and research toward improving the lives and nursing care of people suffering from obesity. Despite the alarming prevalence of obesity in the United States, nursing literature lacks sufficient research based evidence to guide nursing care of the morbidly obese and promote safe work practices, according to the association Web site.

Several faculty from the East Carolina University School of Nursing will speak at the conference including Dr. Mary Ann Rose, association president, Dr. Sharon Sarvey and Dr. Maura McAuliffe. Dr. Walter Pories, a gastric bypass surgery pioneer and professor of surgery and biochemistry in the Brody School of Medicine at ECU, will also speak. Other featured speakers will include Dr. Susan Gallagher, clinical affairs coordinator for SIZEWise Rentals, and Michael Dionne, a bariatric rehabilitation therapist with Choice Physical Therapy.

Attendees will discuss current issues and best practices with bariatric nursing, provide opportunities for problem solving, share common concerns and identify research questions and issues of importance in the care of obese patients.

The conference, which will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville, is jointly sponsored by the NABN, Eastern Area Health Education Center and the Mountain Area Health Education Center.