Rochester Regional Health’s
Obesity, Weight Loss & Metabolic
Surgery Symposium
Saturday, October 24, 2026
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Registration Now Open!
Twig Auditorium at Rochester General Hospital
Join Rochester Regional Health for a day of insight and engaging discussions on the multidisciplinary care and management of obesity, metabolic diseases, and related comorbidities. Learn from esteemed national experts about the latest advances, guidelines, and evidence-based treatment options that are shaping the future of obesity-related care and metabolic surgery.
Learning Objectives
- Build knowledge around obesity, metabolic syndrome, and related co-morbidities
- Discuss comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment options with leading nationally and internationally recognized physicians
- Identify the importance of patient-centric compassionate care
- Review evidence of the efficacy of metabolic surgery as a treatment option of obesity and metabolic disease
Register Now
Topics & Speakers
- KEYNOTE: When Biology Changes the Rules: Clinical Insights into Weight, Hormones and Midlife Health – Dr. Courtney Younglove, MD, FOMA, FACOG, DABOM
*Please note: This is a non-CME related topic
- Obesity, and Metabolic Syndrome: The Nemesis of Kidney Health – Dr. Leslie Wong, MD, MBA, FACP, FASN
- Cardiovascular, Kidney and Metabolic Health from a Surgical Perspective – Dr. John Morton, MD, MPH, MHA, BS, FACS, FASMBS
- Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease – Dr. Patrick Twohig, MD, MPH, FRCPC
- Lifestyle Approaches for Sarcopenia: Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Beyond – Dr. Natasha Sodhi, MD, DipABLM
- Renal Disease and Bariatric Surgery – Dr. Michel Murr, MD, FACS
- Respiratory Disease and Obesity – Dr. Rebecca Dirks, MD, MS
- Hormonal Mechanisms of Bariatric Surgery – Dr. Dilendra Weerasinghe, MD, FACS, FASMBS
- Obesity and Arthritis – Dr. Anthony Ocon, MD, PhD
- Nutrition, Obesity and Weight Loss – Dr. Patricia Hughes, DO, FACOS
Event Details*
*Event details are subject to change pending the final symposium schedule.
Breakfast and Registration
We invite attendees to arrive any time after 7:30 am for registration, breakfast and our vendor showcase.
Location
Twig Auditorium
Rochester General Hospital
1425 Portland Ave, Rochester, NY 14621
Parking
Parking is available in the Portland Avenue garages. Please enter through the main lobby and follow signs to registration. Parking fees may apply.
Refreshments
Continental breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 7:55 am, followed by light refreshments throughout the day. Catered lunch will also be provided.
Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) through the joint providership of The Rochester Academy of Medicine and Rochester Regional Health. The Rochester Academy of Medicine is accredited by the MSSNY to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Statement
The Rochester Academy of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 8AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nursing Credits Available
Rochester Regional Health Nursing Institute is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development Approved by the American Nurses Association Massachusetts, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
5 CEs have been provided for this presentation.
ANA-MA-PRV-860
Symposium Agenda
| Time | Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 – 8:20 am | Registration |
|
| 8:20 – 8:30 am | Welcome |
|
| 8:30 – 9 am | Lifestyle for Bariatric surgery / Issues with Processed Foods |
Patricia Hughes, DO, FACS, FASMBS |
| 9 – 9:30 am | Diabetes / Insulin Resistance |
Michael Quartuccio, MD |
| 9:30 – 10 am | Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) |
|
| 10 – 10:15 am | Break |
|
| 10:15 – 10:45 am | Panel: GLP-1 Discussion / Indications Oral vs. Injectables |
|
| 10:45 – 11:15 am | PCOS / Infertility |
Franziska Haydanek, DO |
| 11:15 – 11:45 am | Longevity and Increasing Healthspan |
Dilendra Weerasinghe, MD, FACOS |
| 11:45 – 12:45 pm | Lunch |
|
| 12:45 – 1:15 pm | Panel: Medication vs. Surgery |
|
| 1:15 – 1:45 pm | Orthopedic Surgery |
TBD |
| 1:45 – 2:15 pm | Obesity-Cancer Epidemic: Scope, Scale, and the Surgeon’s Role |
Daniel Tuvin, MD |
| 2:15 – 2:30 pm | Break |
|
| 2:30 – 3:00 pm | Renal Failure |
Jonathan Bress, MD |
| 3:00 – 3:30 pm | Heart Failure / Atheroscleoric Diease |
Roshan Karki, MD |
Time
7:30 – 8:20 am
Topic
Registration
Speaker
Time
8:20 – 8:30 am
Topic
Welcome
Speaker
Time
8:30 – 9 am
Topic
Lifestyle for Bariatric surgery / Issues with Processed Foods
Speaker
Patricia Hughes, DO, FACS, FASMBS
Time
9 – 9:30 am
Topic
Diabetes / Insulin Resistance
Speaker
Michael Quartuccio, MD
Time
9:30 – 10 am
Topic
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)
Speaker
Time
10 – 10:15 am
Topic
Break
Speaker
Time
10:15 – 10:45 am
Topic
Panel: GLP-1 Discussion / Indications Oral vs. Injectables
Speaker
Time
10:45 – 11:15 am
Topic
PCOS / Infertility
Speaker
Franziska Haydanek, DO
Time
11:15 – 11:45 am
Topic
Longevity and Increasing Healthspan
Speaker
Dilendra Weerasinghe, MD, FACOS
Time
11:45 – 12:45 pm
Topic
Lunch
Speaker
Time
12:45 – 1:15 pm
Topic
Panel: Medication vs. Surgery
Speaker
Time
1:15 – 1:45 pm
Topic
Orthopedic Surgery
Speaker
TBD
Time
1:45 – 2:15 pm
Topic
Obesity-Cancer Epidemic: Scope, Scale, and the Surgeon’s Role
Speaker
Daniel Tuvin, MD
Time
2:15 – 2:30 pm
Topic
Break
Speaker
Time
2:30 – 3:00 pm
Topic
Renal Failure
Speaker
Jonathan Bress, MD
Time
3:00 – 3:30 pm
Topic
Heart Failure / Atheroscleoric Diease
Speaker
Roshan Karki, MD
Topics to Be Covered:
- MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease)
- CKMH (Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health)
- Sarcopenia and Lifestyle Pillars
- Perimenopause/menopause and weight gain
- Renal disease and Bariatric surgery
- Respiratory disease and Obesity
- Gynecologic oncology and Obesity
- Hormonal Mechanisms of Bariatric Surgery
- Rheumatic disease and Obesity
- Nutrition, Obesity, and Weight Loss
Panel Discussions:
- Medications, Surgery, and the future of GLP-1 receptor
- Bariatric patients for the Primary Care Team
2026 Vendors
Special thanks to our food vendors for their support.
Wegmans Food Markets
Untamed
Events
Rubino’s Italian
Food Market
2026 Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible.
Rochester Regional Health Bariatrics
Our Bariatrics team will guide and support you through every step of your
weight loss journey with expertise and compassion. A multidisciplinary team
of surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, gastroenterologists and endocrinologists
will work with you to develop a plan to achieve your health goals and
support your wellbeing for the rest of your life.
Event Committee
Dr. Dilendra Weerasinghe, MD
Dr. Patricia Hughes, DO
Dr. Rebecca Dirks, MD, MS
Kelsey Vogler, RN
Marycarol Snyder
Jenilyn Mescall
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