OAC Perspectives: Leaving a Legacy of Innovation and Patient-Centered Care

Member Spotlight on Steven C. Simper, MD

Fall 2024

Bariatric medicine is an evolving field, and Dr. Steven Simpler is a trusted pioneer. With a career spanning four decades, Dr. Simper has not only witnessed how obesity treatment has changed over the years but has also actively shaped its future.

As he looks toward retirement, we asked him to share his thoughts on his career, his involvement with the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) and his hopes for the future of obesity care.

A Pioneer in Bariatric Surgery

Dr. Simper performed his first bariatric procedures in 1984 at Wilford Hall Medical Center in Texas. Since then, he has built a distinguished career performing complex surgeries like laparoscopic gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and the duodenal switch — a procedure that Dr. Simper has championed for patients needing advanced surgical intervention.

A Utah native and a family man, Dr. Simper returned to his home state after fulfilling his Air Force commitments to be closer to his loved ones and the great outdoors. Over the years, he has not only changed the lives of countless patients but also trained other surgeons and shared his insights at national and international conferences. His work has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and he remains an influential voice in the bariatric community.

More Than Just a Partner, an Advocate

Dr. Simper’s involvement with the OAC reflects his belief that patient care extends beyond the operating room. As an Advisory Board Member and a participant in the OAC’s Sponsored Membership Program, he offers his patients a membership in the OAC Community, giving them access to education, resources and additional support. For Dr. Simper, the OAC is more than just an organization; it’s an ally that shares his goal of empowering patients to advocate for themselves, whether through educational resources or advocacy efforts aimed at expanding insurance coverage for obesity treatments.

In Dr. Simper’s experience, the most significant barriers patients with obesity face are misinformation and stigma, closely followed by insurance coverage limitations.

He believes that organizations like the OAC play a critical role in shifting perceptions and providing patients with the tools they need to fight for their health. This is important not only for empowering patients on an individual level but also for advancing the broader healthcare landscape to be more inclusive and understanding of obesity as a chronic, complex disease.

Looking to the Future

As Dr. Simper retires, he leaves behind a legacy of patient-centered care and a vision for the future of obesity treatment. He hopes to see more standardized, research-based approaches and, eventually, the establishment of a Board Certification for Obesity Medicine and Bariatric Surgery.

“It has been exciting to see the improvements and advances in patient care and technology over the years,” Dr. Simper says. “Overall, I’d love to see this continue with more mainstream acceptance and understanding of both patients with obesity and of obesity and bariatric medicine.”

Thank you, Dr. Simper, for your contributions to the field and for all you’ve done to support your patients and the OAC! We look forward to continuing to work with you as an ally and advocate.

Do You Want to Share Your Story or Be Interviewed?

Whether you have a story about navigating obesity, facing weight stigma or inspiring others, your voice is important. If you want to share your story to support, inspire or encourage others, please email membership@obesityaction.org. The power of your voice can light up a future issue of Weight Matters Magazine!

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