University Surgical Associates, the region’s largest general surgery practice, announced the appointment of Dr. Jack F. Rutledge as medical director of Erlanger’s new Bariatric Services Program. The announcement was made by USA Managing Partner Dr. Michael S. Greer.
“With the appointment of Dr. Rutledge as medical director of this very important and worthwhile program, we believe Erlanger has added an exceptionally skilled and qualified surgeon to lead this effort,” said Dr. Greer. “Dr. Rutledge is one of the region’s leading bariatric and weight loss surgeons and his high surgical and ethical standards will serve the program well.”
“Dr. Rutledge’s extensive training and experience in performing bariatric surgery, combined with his excellent patient outcomes, made him the ideal choice for the medical directorship of Erlanger’s Bariatric Services program,” said Roger Forgey, Erlanger senior vice-president of regional business development.
Dr. Rutledge, a board certified general surgeon and clinical assistant professor of surgery, Department of Surgery, for the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, joined USA in 1999. In May of 2002, Dr. Rutledge performed the very first laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure in the Chattanooga area. Since that time he has performed more than 550 procedures, utilizing both gastric bypass and gastric banding methods.
Dr. Rutledge earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Auburn University (Auburn, Ala.), and his medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. He completed an internship in 1986 at Marshall University (Huntington, W.Va.) and a residency in general surgery from Tennessee State University College of Medicine (Johnson City) in 1991.
The Bariatric Services Program at Erlanger "offers regional patients an opportunity to achieve lasting lifestyle changes through a complete program for medical and surgical weight loss management."
The weight loss management team, located at the Chattanooga Lifestyle Center, 325 Market St. in downtown Chattanooga (423-778-9400), offers several customized, non-surgical weight management programs, including one-on-one nutrition consultation and behavioral evaluation. Gastric Bypass and Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery are available to prospective qualified candidates.
“The chance to play a significant role in the development of an advanced and comprehensive medical and surgical weight management program is of particular interest to me,” said Dr. Rutledge. “The disease of obesity is alarmingly pervasive among adults, and even our children, in their formative years, are struggling with psychological challenges most of us will never know. It is a worthy cause to help these people with the best treatment we have available. But it’s not enough. We must remain innovative as we work together to discover more breakthroughs in the management and prevention of obesity.”
As medical director, Dr. Rutledge will review and supervise the quality, availability, safety and appropriateness of the program’s medical services. He will conduct chart and case reviews to ensure compliance with national/community standards of care, participate in the development and evaluation of the program’s policies and procedures on an annual basis, and propose changes as necessary. He will also develop and implement a process to monitor current and future guidelines.