Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Bariatric Surgery Program Earns National Accreditation from the American College of Surgeons

One of only eight pediatric centers nationwide awarded accreditation.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Bariatric Surgery Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) has been nationally accredited by the American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), placing it among a distinguished group of pediatric centers recognized for excellence in bariatric surgical care for youth with obesity. With this designation, CHLA becomes one of only eight pediatric centers in the country to receive this accreditation.

In under two years, the Bariatric Surgery Program at CHLA has grown into one of the nation’s largest and most recognized pediatric obesity centers. The multidisciplinary team has performed over 120 bariatric procedures, addressing a critical need in Southern California.

“When we built this program, we knew this was an accreditation we wanted to pursue,” says Alaina Vidmar, MD, Medical Director of the Bariatric Surgery Program. “We felt like it was an important way to demonstrate that our team at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is intentionally designing a program that operates at the highest level of excellence.”

MBSAQIP accreditation requirements

Programs with MBSAQIP accreditation must undergo rigorous, peer-reviewed evaluations every three years to maintain their status.

MBSAQIP-accredited hospitals must:

• Provide a high standard of care, meeting nationally recognized standards for safety, quality, and outcomes
• Collect outcomes data for a national registry that informs data-driven quality improvement
• Track surgical outcomes focused on weight loss and resolution of obesity-related comorbidities, including diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and GERD
• Offer multidisciplinary support that ensures patients receive guidance before, during, and after surgery

Studies show that MBSAQIP implementation is associated with lower complication rates and improved resolution of life-limiting obesity-related conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

“For families, this accreditation provides confidence their child will be cared for at a center that meets the highest standards of care for bariatric surgery,” says Kamran Samakar, MD, Surgical Director of the Bariatric Surgery Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “Only a handful of pediatric hospitals nationwide hold this designation, and it reflects CHLA’s leadership and commitment to delivering the best care for children.”

Solving a critical access problem

As demonstrated by the volume of patients the program has served so far, the team observed a deep need in region for compassionate bariatric care for children. Several barriers contribute to a lack of access to that care, from stigma around obesity treatment to long wait times.

Wait times at other hospitals can be up to 18 months. At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles patients’ time to surgery can be as little as four months.

“Severe obesity in children is not just about weight—it is about diabetes, sleep apnea, liver disease, and shortened lifespan,” says Dr. Samakar. “Bariatric surgery is the most effective and durable treatment we have, and when combined with comprehensive medical therapy, it gives kids a real chance to reclaim their health and their future.”

A commitment to multidisciplinary care

Providing multidisciplinary care is another key tenet of MBSAQIP accreditation. At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, patients work with a pediatric obesity medicine specialist, bariatric surgeon, endocrinologist, psychologist, and dietitian, with regular follow-ups until they transition to adult care.

“Almost no surgical programs live in medical programs,” notes Dr. Vidmar. “We did things differently at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, with one integrated program where the surgical arm is one of the modalities. This is essential in the pediatric space.”

“An integrated model ensures that we can assess every aspect of a child's health,” adds Dr. Samakar. “The team approach is essential because surgery is one component of a lifelong journey.”

Continued innovation and research

The team continues to lead innovative research that explores new approaches to improve outcomes for all. One of the key questions they are investigating is why bariatric surgery doesn’t work for some kids, and what to do about it.

“Many young people need a multi-modal approach that includes bariatric surgery and medications,” says Dr. Vidmar. At the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, she recently presented research that explores the benefits of continuing medication following surgery.

She explains that for patients who are very sick, with more severe obesity and more obesity-related complications, surgery might be just one part of a comprehensive treatment plan. “Historically, surgery and medications were at war with each other—but really, they should be friends. It’s just another tool in our toolkit.”

The large volume of patients the program has already served provides a diverse cohort of data that will help experts uncover more about what treatments work best for different populations.

“Bariatric surgery can be transformative for young people with severe obesity and obesity-related complications,” says Dr. Vidmar. “As an accredited program, we want to continue to improve bariatric care and help more patients live long and healthy lives.”

About Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is at the forefront of pediatric medicine and is the largest provider of hospital care for children in California. Since its founding in 1901, CHLA has delivered a level of pediatric care that is among the best in the world. Ranked one of the top 10 children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles provides comprehensive and compassionate care to one of the largest and most diverse pediatric patient populations in the country. The hospital is the top-ranked children’s hospital in California and the Pacific U.S. region for 2025-26. A leader in pediatric research, CHLA is among the top 10 children’s hospitals for research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles supports the full continuum of research, translating scientific discoveries into life-changing treatments for patients around the globe. As a pediatric academic medical center, CHLA is also home to one of the largest graduate education programs for pediatricians in the United States. The hospital’s commitment to building stronger, healthier communities is evident in CHLA’s efforts to enhance health education and literacy, introduce more people to careers in health care, and fight food insecurity. To learn more, follow CHLA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X, and visit CHLA.org.