Provided under contract with Pinehurst Surgical Clinic, First Health of the Carolinas’ weight loss surgery program has been deemed a Center of Excellence by Optum, a global health care services group. 

Optum operates in 150 countries worldwide and “offers data-driven support and expertise to health care employers, government organizations, health plans, providers and pharmacy care services,” according to a First Health press release. 

The criteria that Optum looks at to designate a bariatric program as a Center of Excellence include, “annual volume of surgeries, certifications, complications and mortality rate, length of program existence and experience of surgeons,” the release said. 

“We work hard to provide our patients with the best care possible and have helped thousands of people take control of their weight,” Raymond Washington, medical director of Moore Regional’s bariatric program, said. “It is always rewarding to help others change their lives through bariatric surgery, and to be recognized for that commitment to quality care.” 

Optum’s COE’s have lower costs of care than compared to other programs and have 19 percent lower mortality rate and 24 percent lower re-operation rate than bariatric surgeries from other providers. 

“Benefits of the surgery extend far beyond weight loss and can include improved cardiovascular health, reduction of depression, joint pain relief and improved fertility, among others,” said David Grantham, a general and bariatric surgeon. “We aim to make these procedures accessible to as many patients as possible, and the COE designation helps us in that mission.”