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Dr. Ponce has been practicing bariatric surgery since 1998 and is the Medical Director for CHI Memorial Hospital Bariatric Surgery and Obesity Medicine program in Chattanooga Tennessee.
Dr. Ponce is Past-President (2012-2013) of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and President of the International Federation for Surgery of Obesity (IFSO) North American Chapter (2021-2023). Has been a member of the Executive Council of the ASMBS (2009-2016), member of the Executive Board of IFSO (2013-2016, 2021-2023), served as Chair of the Bariatric Surgical Review Committee for the ASMBS Centers of Excellence program (2007-2009), Chair of the ASMBS Insurance Committee (2009-2011), member of the Program, Professional Education, Emerging Technologies, Flexible Endoscopy, Community/Independent Practice and Bariatric Training Committees from the ASMBS, Vice-President and Founding Member of the ASMBS Tennessee State Chapter, was selected member of the AOA, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and the ASMBS, Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM), American Board of Surgery Focused Practice Designation in Metabolic Bariatric Surgery, maintains memberships with IFSO, SAGES (Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons), SSAT (Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract), American Foregut Society (AFS) and has been given Honorary Membership by the Brazilian Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Spanish Society for Surgery of Obesity. Dr. Ponce has published articles in peer reviewed surgical journals, lectured in different meetings, been a guest speaker in international congresses and courses and has been involved in several clinical trials including several FDA studies. Dr. Ponce is a member of the Editorial Board of the Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases and Obesity Surgery journals and Editor of the ASMBS Textbook of Surgery 1st and 2nd Edition.