Company\Resources\Ep. 29 | Achieving Excellence in Surgical and Medical Standards of Obesity Care

Ep. 29 | Achieving Excellence in Surgical and Medical Standards of Obesity Care

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podcast

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dr. Nina Crowley speaks with Carah Horn, the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Coordinator at Bayfront Health Weight Loss and Bariatric Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. Carah recently underwent an MBSAQIP accreditation site visit, an in-depth process that now includes obesity medicine qualifications. She shares her experience with both virtual and in-person site visits and emphasizes the value of the interdisciplinary team in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

The conversation dives deep into how her program combines surgical and medical obesity treatments, integrating personalized plans that include nutrition, behavioral support, and exercise. Carah also discusses how they’re using tools like body composition analysis to track meaningful outcomes—beyond just weight—and to create better treatment plans for long-term success. The result? A forward-thinking, collaborative model that redefines how we deliver obesity care.

Key Takeaways

Accreditation ensures high standards across bariatric centers and now includes obesity medicine pathways.
Medical and surgical teams collaborate to offer patients personalized care, whether choosing medication, surgery, or both.
Behavioral and exercise components are prioritized alongside nutrition and medication for a whole-person approach.
Body composition analysis is used to track fat mass and muscle change—not just scale weight.
Programs are expanding their support services to include in-person support groups, athletic training, and mental health care.
Long-term, continuous care is the goal—not just short-term weight loss—recognizing obesity as a chronic disease.

About Carah Horn, MBA-HCA, BSN, RN, CBN

Carah Horn is the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Coordinator at Bayfront Health Weight Loss and Bariatric Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. With experience across multiple institutions, Carah brings a unique perspective on building interdisciplinary teams that deliver comprehensive obesity care. Her leadership in achieving MBSAQIP accreditation, including obesity medicine qualifications, reflects her dedication to advancing standards in both surgical and medical treatment.