The Obesity Society Honors Influential Public Figures for Supporting the Field with Inaugural Presidential Medals

Society enhances focus on early career investigators and clinicians

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Nov 07, 2014, 11:00 ET

BOSTON, Nov. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Obesity Society (TOS) outgoing president, Steven Smith, MD, presented the first-ever presidential medals to influential public figures during the Opening Session of the Society's annual meeting, ObesityWeek^SM 2014, this week in Boston. The recipients include TOS past-president and pioneer in obesity research and treatment George Bray, MD; United States Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO); HBO's John Oliver; and, former FDA leader, Eric Coleman, MD. This is the first time TOS recognized key public figures for efforts that support the Society's goals and mission.

This award, which will continue annually, was created by Dr. Smith to honor and recognize the efforts of individuals who have made an impact on the care of persons with obesity through:

Outstanding and enduring scientific achievement;
Public service with the aim of improving the health of the public;
Advocacy for persons with obesity, and/or;
Having made a tenacious and/or bold effort to spotlight obesity-related issues.

About the recipients

George Bray, MD, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Dr. Bray is a pioneer in the field and has more than 50 years of experience in innovative basic and clinical obesity science, which is published in nearly 2000 peer-reviewed papers and in the authoritative book on the history of obesity research, the Handbook of Obesity. TOS recognizes Dr. Bray with this award for his service, creativity, dedication and unfailing pursuit of excellence in support of obesity research, treatment and prevention.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Sen. McCaskill has undertaken both personal and policy effort to support obesity science. She has taken action in Senate hearings on behalf of the public good to take on weight-loss scams and to challenge the role of physicians who support those scams.

John Oliver
John Oliver is a humorist and populist who effectively leveraged his television comedy show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, to fearlessly spotlight weight-loss scams and raise public awareness to the celebrity hype and false claims made around so-called nutritional "supplements." His work has raised awareness of the limited role of the Food and Drug Administration and the challenges of the Federal Trade Commission in regulating this large and largely non-scientific industry.

Eric Coleman, MD, Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
As Director of CDER, Dr. Coleman championed several new obesity drugs through the FDA process. He has been praised by both industry and professional organizations for his rational approach and tenacity, and he set a fine example for future Directors. In honor of Dr. Coleman's legacy, TOS presents this award posthumously to his family.

When speaking about the new presidential medal awards in the Opening Session on Monday, physician-researcher Dr. Smith thanked the recipients for their outstanding contribution to the cause. In the session, Dr. Smith also discussed the state of the Society, and offered his appreciation for all the supporters, partners, sponsors, staff and other stakeholders who have contributed to its success.

In a later session at ObesityWeek, Dr. Smith introduced the incoming president Nikhil V. Dhurandhar, PhD, and passed along the ceremonial gavel.

"I am leaving the organization in the most capable hands; Dr. Dhurandhar will be a remarkable leader," Dr. Smith said during the transition.

Focus on the Future of Obesity Research and Treatment
In his opening speech, Dr. Dhurandhar discussed the five-year TOS Strategic Plan and outlined the Society's priorities. Growing the careers of early career professionals working in obesity emerged as a primary objective for the coming years.

Currently, the Society has a number of efforts to support early career members, including the annual Early Career Research Grants, special sessions at ObesityWeek and a Leadership Development task force. In the next five years, TOS leadership hopes to increase involvement with the early career members and provide ample opportunities for them to progress in their careers.

"Nurturing the careers and development of early career researchers and clinicians is an investment in the future of obesity medicine and weight management," said Dr. Dhurandhar. "We look forward to going beyond traditional tactics and launching new programs to attract the best and brightest to obesity science and medicine – and to the Society."

TOS is already making strides to increase opportunities for early career members, as was seen in the TOS Awards Ceremony at ObesityWeek. During the meeting, TOS Secretary-Treasurer and Atkinson-Stern award recipient Martin Binks, PhD, FTOS, announced the creation of an all-new travel grant for ObesityWeek open to all early career members. Dr. Binks will be reallocating his $1,000 Atkinson-Stern award, and adding an additional $1,000, to help fund two students for travel to ObesityWeek. Congratulations to Katelyn Gettens, a graduate student at the University of Connecticut, and Pia Villarroel, a nutritionist at the Universidad de Chile, who were randomly selected for this year's new award.

"Early-career members are a priority for TOS, and I'm pleased to be able to contribute these funds this year, and in years to come, to support the future of obesity research and treatment," said Dr. Binks. "This new grant offers opportunities for all early-career members. It is designed for both clinicians and researchers who may not currently have the research data that is required to compete for the existing travel grants. Addressing obesity requires an integrated, multipronged approach from all areas — including clinical, public health, policy and research — and these grants are intended to provide opportunities across that spectrum."

More information about TOS's award and grants programs is available here. Find additional comments from TOS leaders on the importance of early career investigators and clinicians here.

About The Obesity Society
The Obesity Society (TOS) is the leading professional society dedicated to better understanding, preventing and treating obesity. Through research, education and advocacy, TOS is committed to improving the lives of those affected by the disease. For more information visit: www.Obesity.org. Connect with TOS on social media: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Find TOS disclosures here.

About ObesityWeek
ObesityWeek is the premier, international event focused on the basic science, clinical application, prevention and treatment of obesity. TOS and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) host the world's pre-eminent conference on obesity, ObesityWeek 2014, Nov. 2-7, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Mass. For the second year, both organizations hold their respective annual scientific meetings under one roof to unveil exciting new research, discuss emerging treatment and prevention options, and network and present. Connect and share with ObesityWeek on Twitter and Facebook, or by using #OW2014.

SOURCE The Obesity Society