House Concurrent Resolution 107

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. STEPHEN SUDDERTH UPON HIS RECOGNITION BY THE AMERICAN BOARD OF BARIATRIC MEDICINE IN BECOMING THE SECOND PHYSICIAN IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO OBTAIN BOARD CERTIFICATION IN THE CORE TREATMENT OF OBESITY, AND RECOGNIZING HIS EFFORTS IN HELPING MISSISSIPPIANS LOSE THOUSANDS OF POUNDS AS OUR STATE BATTLES THIS DEADLY DISEASE.

WHEREAS, Stephen Sudderth, M.D., F.A.C.S., Diplomate, American Board of Bariatric Medicine, of Vicksburg, Mississippi, is the second doctor in Mississippi to earn the distinguished honor of being designated the highest board certification of achievement to a practitioner in the specialty of comprehensive obesity treatment for patients diagnosed with obesity by the American Board of Bariatric Medicine; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sudderth obtained a medical doctorate from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1988, prior to completing his residency as the Chief Resident of General Surgery at University of Nevada School of Medicine; and

WHEREAS, in his current practice at Premier Medical Weight Loss of Mississippi and Vicksburg Surgical Associates, Dr. Sudderth receives a large number of patient referrals from family medical doctors, internal medicine doctors, cardiologists and satisfied patients that are suffering from high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and many other medical problems, and he works with employers to ensure that their employees have healthy weight management education and treatment available; and

WHEREAS, with extensive training in obesity, Dr. Sudderth is able to provide the best possible comprehensive medical plans in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and obesity; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sudderth has authored numerous presentations and research publications outlining and sharing his knowledge and proficiency in battling obesity, most notably: through his article, Mississippi, America's Most Obese State: How Can We Salvage Her Future?, published in the March 2011 edition of the Mississippi State Medical Association Journal; as a guest speaker on bariatric surgery before the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians Conference in October 2004; and through a bariatric medicine and surgery presentation and lecture for a local hospital in September 2004; and

WHEREAS, holding memberships in many professional societies and board certifications, Dr. Sudderth is an involved affiliate of organizations, such as: American Board of Bariatric Medicine and the American Board of Obesity Medicine; The Obesity Society; American Society of Bariatric Physicians; American College of Surgeons, Fellow; American Board of Surgery; American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons; American College of Surgeons, Cancer Conference Liaison; American Medical Association; Southern Medical Association; Mississippi State Medical Association; Mississippi Chapter of the American College of Surgeons; and West Mississippi Medical Association; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sudderth has had the honor of delivering a presentation to the Mississippi State Medical Licensure Board regarding increasing the regulations over bariatric medicine; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sudderth serves on the American Society of Bariatric Physicians Medical Licensure Task Force, and he was appointed to serve on the Mississippi State Medical Association Obesity Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi has the highest rate of obesity in this nation at a staggering 34.4 percent, causing significant health problems and the early death of this state's citizens that suffer from this complex disease, and the advanced study of Dr. Sudderth in bariatric medicine and surgery is due to the reality that very few physicians have extensive, practical or clinical training for treating obesity; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend excellence in medical advancements, such as those made by Dr. Sudderth, that help eradicate grave diseases suffered by the citizens of this great state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Dr. Stephen Sudderth of Vicksburg, Mississippi, upon his recognition by the American Board of Bariatric Medicine in becoming the second physician in the State of Mississippi to obtain board certification in the core treatment of obesity.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we do hereby recognize and commend his efforts in helping Mississippians lose thousands of pounds, and encourage his determined quest to help Mississippians battle this deadly disease.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Sudderth and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.