FORT SMITH, Ark. – Eric Chung, DO, MPH, has joined Baptist Health-Fort Smith and will provide general, trauma and bariatric surgical services.
Dr. Chung recently completed a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery and weight loss surgery at Advanced Laparoscopic Surgical Associates MIS in Fresno, California. He completed his residency in general surgery at Stony Brook Medicine Community Surgery Program in Southampton, New York. Dr. Chung completed both a Doctor of Medicine and a master’s degree in Public Health at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2014.
Dr. Chung will perform surgeries at Baptist Health-Fort Smith and see patients in the clinic at Baptist Health Surgical Clinic-Lexington Avenue, located at 923 Lexington Ave. in Fort Smith. Dr. Chung says being physician is more than just a job, it’s a way of life.
“Being a surgeon allows me to constantly improve and learn how to tackle some of the most difficult problems,” Dr. Chung said. “I’m able to translate that work into a better quality of care for my patients and that’s very rewarding.”
In addition to laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Chung is also able to perform minimally invasive robotic surgery, as well as surgical options for those wishing to lose weight and improve their health. He says it’s his goal to provide life-changing tools for those suffering from obesity without judgment.
“One thing I learned interacting with thousands of patients is that there is a widespread prejudice against the obese population,” Dr. Chung said. “Whether it comes to job opportunity, access to health care, or day-to-day social interactions; obese people suffer from the common misconception that obesity is a choice. Helping people understand that obesity is a disease that needs surgical and medical management is something I like to focus on.”
Dr. Chung grew up in Florida and has lived in several states during his education, but says he’s looking forward to exploring Arkansas.
For nearly 100 years, Baptist Health has delivered all our best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health is Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization with more than 250 points of access that include 11 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 100 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; a graduate residency program; and access to virtual care anytime, anywhere. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 11,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. For more information about Baptist Health, visit baptist-health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
