One of Americas Most Influential Voices in the Campaign Against Tobacco Picks Another Battle to Win - Obesity

Former president of the American Medical Association, Dr. Randolph D. Smoak Jr., leading advocate in the AMA campaign against tobacco, joins Monarch Health Sciences, an international health and weight management company.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (PRWEB) March 12, 2004 -- One of Americas most influential voices in the campaign against tobacco has picked a new battle to win-the obesity epidemic, costing about 400,000 lives a year, and $75 billion a year in healthcare.

Dr. Randolph D. Smoak, Jr., who served as the 155th president of the American Medical Association June 2000-2001 and Chair of Council of the World Medical Association May 2001-2003, is the newest member of the Medical Advisory Board for Monarch Health Sciences, an international health and weight management company based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

There are 50 million Americans who are addicted to nicotine, and 127 million who are significantly obese or overweight [according to the American Obesity Association, www.obesity.org ,which is as much of an impact on their health as tobacco is to others," said Dr. Smoak. Just as alcoholism and tobacco addiction have evolved into being categorized as diseases, we will see obesity following the same pattern over the next 25 years. That is why I want to contribute-in the same way I did with tobacco use."

Dr. Smoak is an internationally recognized leader in the AMA's campaign against tobacco, using his name-both literally and figuratively-to aggressively fight the number one preventable cause of death in America. With obesity gaining critical attention worldwide as the second leading preventable cause of death, Dr. Smoak's addition to the Monarch Health Sciences Medical Advisory Board is a simultaneous statement of the importance of the issue and the credibility of Monarchs Forever Fit" comprehensive program.

Having seen an increase in obesity as a problem in my practice over the years has heightened my interest in helping develop a population-based program that would address it the right way," Smoak said. The concepts that are being put forth by Monarch Health Sciences are the best that Ive seen to achieve success against this growing epidemic."

Dr. Smoaks involvement is a significant step toward public awareness and action regarding obesity. "It is with great honor and pleasure that we welcome a distinguished
colleague, Dr. Smoak, to our Medical Advisory Board," said Dr. Eneida Roldan, Executive Vice President of Monarch Health Sciences and past Chairperson of Board Certification for the American Board of Bariatric Medicine. His participation on our Board has further confirmed our commitment to excellence and science-based philosophy. Our common commitment to health, science, and ethics will compliment Monarch's mission to reach new heights in services and growth."

A native of Bamberg, South Carolina, Dr. Smoak received his M.D. degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He completed a senior surgery oncology fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. A diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Smoak served as governor of the College for two terms. He is a clinical professor of surgery at MUSC and USC School of Medicine. Dr. Smoak and his wife, Saundra, have four married daughters and reside in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

About Monarch Health Sciences
www.monarchhealthsciences.com

Monarch Health Sciences is a unique and innovative company which provides a complete, evidence-based solution to weight management and overall health through a multi-disciplinary approach developed and supervised by some of the worlds leading medical experts in the fields of weight management (Bariatrics), obesity, psychology and health. Dr. Smoak joins a team which includes Dr. Eneida Roldan (Past Chairperson of Board Certification for the American Board of Bariatric Medicine), Dr. Denise Bruner (Chairman of the Board of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians), Dr. Vicki Berkus (President of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals), Peter Vidmar (Olympic Gold Medalist -- Gymnastics), Henry Marsh (four-time Olympic runner), Sharlene Hawkes (former Miss America and award-winning ESPN sportscaster), and several other nationally recognized Doctors. The Monarch Forever Fit" Program includes proper nutrition, life-long physical activity, behavioral/emotional coaching and support. It also features the MVP Health Club -- an online personal trainer which creates customized nutrition and exercise plans.

# # #