Thank you for visiting the ASMBS Foundation Web site. I thought I would take this opportunity to update you on our activities.

Thanks to the support of our many donors, the Foundation has:

• Underwritten 17 research grants.
• Partially funded the development and implementation of the Bariatric Nurse Credentialing Program.
• Supported the educational and advocacy initiatives of the OAC.
• Partially underwritten a professorship honoring Edward Mason, MD.
• Partially underwritten the upcoming ASMBS CME Compendium.
• Provided ten community grants named in honor of late Walk founder, Bryan Woodward, to organizations seeking to address obesity in their local communities.
• Co-hosted and financially supported one of the nation’s largest gatherings of those seeking to address the obesity epidemic, the Walk from Obesity – Walk on the Capitol in June 2008 which attracted more than 3,000 participants.
• Hosted more than 70 local Walk from Obesity events raising both community awareness of obesity as well as funds to support the missions of the Foundation and our walk partner, the Obesity Action Coalition.
• Sponsored ASMBS educational courses.
• Funded both ASMBS and ASMBS chapter advocacy initiatives.

2010 looks to be another outstanding year. The annual Foundation Event this year will honor Harvey Surgerman, MD with the 2010 Outstanding Achievement Award during the ASMBS Meetings in Las Vegas. We also encourage you to participate in the 8th Annual Walk. A complete listing of Walk sites is available on the Walk from Obesity Web site. Walks in more than 70 cities will take place in 2010 not only raising money, but also raising awareness of obesity and the need for both prevention and intervention. A number of 2010 Walks will take place in the spring this year as well as during the traditional Walk months of September and October. The Foundation is also very proud to kick off a five-year fundraising campaign called Operation MORE (Monies for Obesity Research and Education) in 2010. The campaign seeks to dramatically increase the grant making abilities of the ASMBS Foundation.

I would like to thank all of our supporters and volunteers who have joined us in fostering proactive healthcare changes. Your generous contributions support the ASMBS Foundation and its efforts to efforts to expand research, education and advocacy. I hope to see you out participating at the 2010 Foundation Event and/or one of our local Walks.

Sincerely,

Joseph Nadglowski, Jr.
ASMBS Foundation Executive Director