Med School Café
“Surgical Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes”

February’s Med School Café lecture will feature Dr. William Richards, professor and chair of surgery at the USA College of Medicine. The lecture, titled “Surgical Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes,” will take place Feb. 18, 2009, at Christ United Methodist Church at 6101 Grelot Road in Mobile. The presentation will begin at 11:30 a.m. Boxed lunches will be provided to attendees at the conclusion of the talk.

Dr. Richards’ lecture will include information on surgical options for treating obesity and Type 2 diabetes, as well as the impact these procedures have on improving patient health and quality of life.

Dr. Richards, who specializes in laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery, will outline the latest procedures available, as well as discuss new techniques and research for people who are obese. During the talk, he will also provide important information on various diseases associated with obesity, including diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

According to Dr. Richards, Alabama has the second highest incidence of obesity in the United States. “By effectively treating obesity, many serious medical conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, can be cured,” he said.

Body mass index (BMI) is used to estimate a healthy body weight based on a person’s height. The CDC defines someone as obese if they have a BMI of 30 or more, while anyone with a BMI between 25 and 30 is considered overweight.

The Med School Café lecture and lunch are provided free of charge, but reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations, please call Kim Barnes at (251) 460-7770 or email kebarnes@usouthal.edu.

Med School Café is a free community lecture series sponsored by the USA Physicians Group. Each month, faculty from the USA College of Medicine share their expertise on a specific medical condition, providing insight on the latest treatment available as well as promising new research.