For immediate release: August 10, 2007

Contact:  Anne McMillin

Public Relations Specialist

775-682-9254
amcmillin@medicine.nevada.edu

James N. Lau, M.D. named Chief of Bariatric Surgery for the

University of Nevada School of Medicine

LAS VEGAS, Nev.—James N. Lau, M.D., has been named Chief of Bariatric Surgery for the surgery department at the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

Lau will oversee the school’s innovative, new bariatric surgery division which will address morbid obesity, one of America’s most serious preventable health problems.  As the only Nevada surgeon to receive fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery-bariatric surgery, Lau will perform various obesity-related surgeries including the gastric bypass using laparoscopic techniques.  Lau will treat patients through University Health System, the medical school’s clinical practice. 

“Obesity is a growing health epidemic.  The addition of a Division of Bariatric Surgery coupled with Dr. Lau’s expertise will allow the school to address one of the pressing health needs of our state,” says William Zamboni, M.D., professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery.

Lau boasts an impressive academic and professional background.  He is board-certified and received fellowship training in Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Stanford University, School of Medicine.  He completed his surgical residency at Indiana University, School of Medicine and received his M.D. from the Stritch Medical School at Loyola University in Chicago.

Additionally, Lau served as a general surgeon in the United States Air Force from 2002 to 2004 during which time he participated in the “Operation Iraqi Freedom” conflict.  He is also trained to use the DaVinci Surgical Robot.

“Data strongly suggests that obesity, with its multiple co-morbid diseases, is now the second most preventable cause of death next to smoking in the U.S.,” notes Lau.  “It’s critical that we launch an obesity prevention project at the community level to help people, particularly our children, make intelligent decisions early on so they do not become another statistic.” 

Under Lau’s leadership, the only university-based bariatric program in the state will aim to reduce obesity through health promotion, education, nutrition and exercise for at-risk populations, including children and young adults.

“My patient care is based on human compassion, combined with clinical skills and cutting-edge research,” says Lau. 

In addition to treating patients and conducting research, Lau will also help educate students and residents by serving as a assistant professor of surgery and assistant director of the school’s Surgical Residency Program.

As the state’s only public medical school, the University of Nevada School of Medicine has been meeting statewide healthcare, educational, and clinical needs since 1969.  The School of Medicine encompasses 16 clinical medical education departments, including Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, as well as five nationally-recognized departments within basic science including microbiology and biomedical engineering.  As the largest multi-specialty healthcare focus within the state, the School of Medicine employs more than 185 doctors who both teach and practice medicine throughout Nevada.  The school’s statewide faculty physician practice group has a combined 25 different medical specialties with seven physician practice offices located in the Reno-Sparks area and five physician offices located in Las Vegas.

The University of Nevada School of Medicine utilizes a best-practice approach to medicine and is committed to addressing the health needs of Nevada now and in the future. For more information, please visit www.medicine.nevada.edu.

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