Christopher Still, DO, Named Director of Geisinger Obesity Institute
Danville (PA)—Christopher D. Still, DO, has been named Director of Geisinger Health System’s new Obesity Institute, a multi-disciplinary effort to enhance the quality and quantity of medical research related to obesity and its related health complications.
Over the past 50 years, obesity has risen to epidemic proportions in the United States, known to cause devastating and costly health problems, reduce life expectancy, and intensify other health issues. Rising obesity has been linked to increases in Type 2 diabetes, and is a significant risk factor for a number of medical conditions including coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, some cancers, respiratory problems, and many others.
“Given the extent of obesity and obesity-related health issues in Geisinger’s patient population, we are committed to supplementing the care we provide by contributing research to understanding the causes of obesity, and to developing and testing prevention and treatment options,” said Geisinger Executive Vice President Joanne Wade.
“Dr. Still does a tremendous job directing our adult obesity program in the Center for Nutrition and Weight Management,” she continued. “We are pleased to have him accept these new responsibilities which we hope will help us better solve this medical challenge.”
“I’m thrilled that Geisinger has recognized obesity as institutional priority,” said Dr. Still.
A Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Nutrition, Dr. Still has been studying developments in nutrition and obesity for the past two decades. Named one of the Best Doctors in America in 2007-2008, he recently wrote a consumer-focused book, Weight Management: Adults, which appears in the Frequently Asked Questions book series. He has also published in several journals, including Archives of Surgery, Current Gastroenterology Reports, Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, and Surgery for Obesity and Related Disorders. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Obesity Action Coalition, American Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists, Surgical Review Corporation, and chairs the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery’s obesity medicine committee.
Dr. Still earned his medical degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a residency and fellowship at Geisinger Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists, and the American College of Nutrition. He recently appeared on a Discovery Health Channel continuing medical education program.
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