The St. Mark's Hospital's Center for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity celebrated Thursday after being designated as a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS). Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield Association also honored the St. Mark's Center as a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatic Surgery. This is the first hospital in Utah to receive this title.

To achieve the rank of excellence from the ASBS the center passed a series of site inspections in which surgical processes were closely observed and data on patient results were collected.

The hospital received its distinction from the Blue Cross Blue Shield by meeting a quality criteria set up by expert physician panels. Living up to the high standard has given St. Mark's better patient results and consistency in care "as well as greater value to members of the Blue Shield health care plan," according to a news release.

"We are committed to being the hospital of choice in our community by providing patients with the highest-quality care that is responsive to individual needs," said St. Mark's CEO Steven B. Bateman in a news release. "Accreditation by the ASBS and Blue Cross Shield illustrates our success in serving patients struggling with weight management or morbid obesity and inherent health risks that are associated with both."