James N. Lau, M.D. named Chief of Bariatric Surgery for the University of Nevada School of Medicine
James N. Lau, M.D., has been named Chief of Bariatric Surgery for the department surgery 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 assistant professor of surgery and assistant program director of the school’s Surgical Residency Program.
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