COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Bariatric Services program at University of Missouri Health Care has been certified as an Institute of Quality® Bariatric Service Facility by Aetna Institutes™.

The certification is based on clinical performance, access to care and experience in bariatric surgery. The program has been certified every two years since 2007.

The Aetna Institutes™ program recognizes facilities that offer high-quality health care options and provides consumers with information to help them make informed choices about facilities with distinguished performance.

Bariatric surgery refers to the various surgical procedures used to treat morbid obesity.

“Our bariatric program is comprised of a team of surgeons, nurses, dietitians, psychologists, physical therapists and a program coordinator to give patients the best possible care before and after their surgery,” said Roger de la Torre, M.D., medical director of Missouri Bariatric Services. “With our multidisciplinary program, we have been able to produce outstanding results.”

The Missouri Bariatric Services surgical team consists of de la Torre, Archana Ramaswamy, M.D., and Norbert Richardson, M.D.