William (Bill) Gourash, PHD, MSN, CRNP, will receive the Dr. Ronald H. Clements Patient Safety and Quality Award from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The award recognizes major achievements of a team or individual who has made significant contributions to improving patient safety and quality of care to bariatric patients. Quality care focuses on improved, patient-centered, reliable, accessible, and safe treatment. His achievement is well deserved and acknowledges his efforts and dedication in the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery as demonstrated within our department and within the ASMBS. He will receive the award at the annual ASMBS meeting, which will take place June 5 - 9, 2022 in Dallas.
Bill is a nurse practitioner whose experience spans the pre-, intra-, and post-operative care of bariatric and metabolic patients. He an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Acute and Tertiary Care at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, as well as Clinical Assistant Professor in Chatham University’s Physician Assistant Studies Program. Dr. Gourash started in the field over 25 years ago as a clinical practitioner when the innovative laparoscopic approach to bariatric surgery came into practice. He worked closely with bariatric surgeons over those years to refine the laparoscopic approach and train other practitioners/surgeons from all over the world. Over his distinguished career, he has been recognized as a leader in the management of patients who have undergone gastric band procedures and other difficult bariatric cases.
Dr. Gourash is an active researcher, speaker, and educator. He is co-investigator on studies on intestinal adaptation to improve diabetes after gastric bypass and to establish a human blood and adipose tissue biobank. He was also Vice-Chair of the Alliance of Randomized Trials for Metabolic versus Medical Treatment Trial for diabetes treatment. Bill has authored or co-authored more than 40 published manuscripts and 30 abstracts and poster presentations and has been an invited speaker more than 50 times. He is the current Associate Editor for the Integrated Health Division of Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases and a reviewer for Obesity Surgery. He also serves on the editorial board for Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care.
Bill has held many leadership roles within the ASMBS and continues to be an active member. Notably, he served as President of Integrated Health Sciences Section and Member of the Executive Council of the ASMBS from 2008-2010. He is also Chair of the Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) Certification Committee and was instrumental in developing the bariatric certification program for nurses. He was honored by the ASMBS in 2017 with the Certificate of Excellence in Reviewing, Distinguished Advance Practice Provider Award and for 10 years of Outstanding Service and Commitment to the CBN Certification Program.
Congratulations to Dr. Gourash on this tremendous achievement!