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Charleston VA Surgeon Nationally Recognized

A leading bariatric surgeon based in Charleston, has been awarded the prestigious 2023 Clinical Excellence Award by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

CHARLESTON, South Carolina -- A leading bariatric surgeon based in Charleston, has been awarded the prestigious 2023 Clinical Excellence Award by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Doctor Chitharanjan “Rana Pullatt” Pullattrana, the Director of Bariatric Surgery for VISN-7, based at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System, was recognized for outstanding performance in providing high-quality patient care and achieving excellent outcomes for his clients. Pullatt will be honored at the 2023 Lead Awards Gala.

“I feel very honored as the award is the highest honor given to surgeons in the field of Bariatric Surgery for Clinical excellence,” said Pullatt. “The field of Bariatric Surgery is very important because of the high prevalence of obesity and bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity.”

Dr. Pullatt is renowned for his skill and expertise in performing complex weight loss surgeries and teaching surgeons from all over the country. He has helped countless patients achieve their weight loss goals and improve their overall health and well-being by performing and teaching the Duodenal Switch and SADI surgery techniques, considered the two most challenging bariatric surgery procedures.

Pullatt is a Diplomate in Obesity Medicine, a professor of surgery and serves as the director of bariatric and robotic surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) as well. A recognized leader in robotic surgery, across the globe, he has done more than 1,700 robotic surgeries throughout his career. Pullatt is a forerunner in the robotic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch procedure, more commonly known as the robotic duodenal switch. He implemented one of the first structured robotic surgery curriculums in the country resulting in Robotic Surgery Certification for general surgery residents at MUSC.

His prestigious work and care for his patients and Veterans has led to the Ralph Johnson VAHCS becoming one the best hospitals in South Carolina for patient satisfaction, one of only two in the state with a 5-star rating.

“We founded the Bariatric surgery program for VISN-7 and this program has been in existence for the past 12 years,” said Pullatt. “We have successfully treated several veterans with a high degree of safety and have been able to give them a much healthier and better quality of life.”

The Clinical Excellence Award is a testament to Dr. Pullatt’s dedication and hard work, and his unwavering commitment to providing the best possible care for Veterans.

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