Geisinger obesity investigators receive $50,000 research award

Oct. 1, 2009, DANVILLE - Two Geisinger researchers were chosen recently by the American Society for Metabolic Surgery Foundation (ASMBS) to receive the 2009 ASMBS Research Award that carries with it a $50,000 prize.

Christopher D. Still, D.O., director, Geisinger Obesity Institute, and Glenn Gerhard, M.D., director, Geisinger Clinic Genomics Core, Sigfried and Janet Weis Center for Research, recently received the annual award that recognizes ASMBS members who have made a significant contribution to the bariatric surgery field. Drs. Gerhard and Still are leaders in the study of a genetic risk for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), also known as fatty livery disease, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.

The recognition carries with it a $50,000 research prize, which will go toward ongoing NASH research.

"We are confident that the work of these investigators will improve the quality of life for patients battling obesity," said Bruce Hamory, M.D., executive vice president, Geisinger Research.
”We hope to curb this epidemic by improving our ability to predict new onset NASH before someone actually develops it in order to implement effective preventive strategies and to treat NASH earlier with appropriate medications for those who do develop this disease,” noted Dr. Still.

"This generous grant will allow our NASH research to continue. We hope to identify genes that are useful as diagnostic and/or prognostic markers,” explained Dr. Gerhard.

"These markers may predict response to treatment and assist in the search for new and better noninvasive ways to detect NASH," said Anthony Petrick, M.D., director, Bariatric Surgery, Geisinger Health System.

Drs. Still and Gerhard are recognized nationwide for their pioneering research in the identification of specific NASH-associated genetic variants. With this identification, simple blood tests can be developed to uncover genetic risk of the disease. Their work provides new insight into underlying biochemical mechanisms that lead to NASH with the goal of preventing the disease or providing timely and effective treatment.

About Geisinger Health System
Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System (Danville, PA) is one of the nation’s largest integrated health services organizations.  Serving more than 2.6 million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the physician-led organization is at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. Geisinger is comprised of two medical center campuses, three hospitals, an 800-member group practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company and the Henry Hood Center for Health Research—dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org