June has been a very busy month. Among the items of note, we bring you details on the changes in our bylaws. As you will see in the article below, the bylaws have now been amended and brought more into line with our strategic plan and provide certain members of council with a defined portfolio or area of responsibility.

 

The Obesity Society's effort to develop a new certification in obesity medicine for physicians continued in June as a multi-societal steering committee was created and convened its initial meeting. The Obesity Medicine Physician Certification Steering Committee met June 20-21 to confirm the Body of Knowledge and begin formulating the structure of the certification program and exam. Committee members representing nine medical associations and societies affirmed the progress thus far and outlined the path forward for the development of the certification program.
 

Interviews were held in June to select a new Executive Vice President for the society. Three finalist candidates were interviewed June 17 and an announcement will be forthcoming very soon.

 

Obesity 2009 is forging ahead. This year we received another record-breaking number of abstracts submitted: 1020 in total. All abstract notifications went out last week.

 

Indicative of the obesity epidemic around the world, there is also news of a proposal in Europe for a 'European Obesity Day,' which might be of interest to some of you.

 

Finally, I'd like you to join me in welcoming a new addition to our national staff. Kathie Cleary has joined us as Director of Finance and Administration. Kathie graduated from the University of Maryland with degrees in Accounting and Marketing. She has worked with non-profits for the last 15 years as the Director of Finance & Administration for a bar association and an education association. She most recently worked for a local CPA firm servicing several non-profit clients as an outsourced CFO.  Kathie can be reached at kcleary@obesity.org.  

 
Sincerely,
Robert Kushner, MD
President, The Obesity Society