Surgical Care of Obesity in Pediatrics Symposium (SCOPeS)

Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 211 E. Chicago Building - 2nd Floor Lurie Conference Center, Chicago, IL


Severe pediatric obesity is increasing in prevalence worldwide, and metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is now recognized as an effective treatment for appropriately selected adolescents. However, many clinicians remain unfamiliar or uncomfortable with surgical referral pathways, the integration of anti-obesity medications with surgery, and the unique behavioral, nutritional, and psychosocial needs of these patients. The Surgical Care of Obesity in Pediatrics Symposium (SCOPeS) is a one-day symposium comprised of multidisciplinary lectures, debates, “how I do it” videos, behavioral and nutrition sessions, and interactive panel discussions with APSA’s Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Committee and invited international experts to explore best practices in the evaluation and surgical management of severe pediatric obesity. Special emphasis will be placed on optimizing multidisciplinary team-based care, integrating pharmacologic and surgical therapies, addressing complex and high-risk populations, and managing suboptimal outcomes after MBS.

1. Apply current evidence-based guidelines to identify adolescents with severe obesity who are appropriate candidates for metabolic and bariatric surgery and/or anti-obesity medications.
2. Explain multidisciplinary pre- and post-operative care pathways, including clear referral processes between pediatricians, surgeons, and obesity medicine providers.
3. Describe best practices for behavioral and psychological assessment, treatment of disordered eating, and longitudinal psychosocial support in pediatric MBS programs.
4. Implement evidence-based nutritional assessment and peri-operative nutrition protocols, including screening for and managing micronutrient deficiencies.
5. Design exercise and physical activity interventions that can be integrated into pediatric MBS pathways and adapted for patients with varied functional abilities
6. Evaluate the role of anti-obesity medications before and after surgery, including indications, benefits, limitations, and potential unintended consequences.
7. Formulate management strategies for complex and high-risk populations (e.g., extreme BMI, syndromic or hypothalamic obesity, non-ambulatory patients, genetic etiologies).
8. Develop approaches to recognize and manage suboptimal outcomes after MBS, including inadequate weight loss, weight regain, and persistent or recurrent comorbidities.
9. Analyze different national and international program models and identify elements that can be adapted to strengthen local multidisciplinary pediatric MBS programs.
10. Incorporate youth and family perspectives, including lived-experience narratives, to enhance shared decision-making, expectation setting, and long-term engagement in care.

Physicians: $45.00

Non-Physicians: $35.00

*Not planning to claim CME? Use code SCOPES2026 at checkout for free registration.

Refund/Cancellation Policy:

Cancellation with full refund is available up to the day of the event (11:59 pm CST, May 4, 2026). Please contact Julie Clettenberg at 312.227.4326 or [email protected] with questions or to cancel.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS) Committee. The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 8.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Questions? Please contact Julie Clettenberg at 312.227.4326 or [email protected]

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (8.00 hours), ABS CC (8.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (8.00 hours)

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Feinberg School of Medicine adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. All individuals in a position to control the content of a Continuing Education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.