Arnot Ogden Medical Center and Cayuga Medical Center have been named Blue Distinction Centers+ for Bariatric Surgery for 2026, giving patients across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes access to two nationally recognized programs within Centralus Health.
The designation recognizes hospitals that meet quality standards for bariatric care as well as measures related to cost-efficient treatment. Centralus Health said both programs provide care before, during and after surgery.
Designation reviews safety and patient support
Blue Distinction Specialty Care is a national centers-of-excellence program established by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. For bariatric surgery, the program evaluates patient safety and outcomes, surgical and postoperative care, follow-up services and patient education.
Ronette Wiley, chief operating officer of Centralus Health, said the recognition reflects the organizations' shared focus on clinical performance, patient safety and outcomes while allowing patients to receive specialized care closer to home.
Jeff Penoyer, deputy chief operating officer of Centralus Health, said combining the strengths of Arnot Health and Cayuga Health expands access to specialty care while building on expertise at both hospitals.
Programs cover the full course of care
Bariatric surgery can be a treatment option for some people living with obesity and related health conditions. Centralus Health said its programs use multidisciplinary teams to help patients prepare for surgery, make lifestyle changes and receive support after treatment.
Services at the two hospitals include access to bariatric surgeons, nursing care, nutritional counseling, patient education and ongoing follow-up. Surgical options include sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, with care plans tailored to individual needs.
Patients also have access to preparation before surgery, nutrition and lifestyle education, weight-management support and continued follow-up after treatment. The system pointed to Cayuga Medical Center's collaboration with the Cayuga Center for Healthy Living and more than two decades of bariatric surgery experience at Arnot Ogden Medical Center.
Centralus Health is an affiliation of Arnot Health and Cayuga Health. The system operates five hospital campuses and primary and specialty practices across Central New York, the Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier.
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