Legacy doctor completes monthlong Fulbright visit to Ireland

The intersection between culture and biology as it relates to obesity has fascinated Dr. Yen-Yi Juo through his medical journeys, including his current position as the director of the Bariatric Surgery Fellowship at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center.

That curiosity most recently resulted in Dr. Juo receiving a Fulbright Specialist award, which is a U.S. Department of State initiative that promotes international academic exchange by connecting accomplished American scholars and professionals with institutions around the world for short-term collaborative projects. 

This honor allowed Dr. Juo to spend October in Ireland where he engaged with Irish clinicians, researchers and trainees through academic discussions, clinical observations and collaborative research.

“It was an amazing opportunity to meet with so many people and talk about this important topic,” he said.

Dr. Juo spent a year preparing for the trip by working on his project entitled Economic and Policy Dynamics in America’s Obesity Response. The work focused on sharing U.S. expertise in obesity treatment and research while building collaboration to address Ireland’s growing obesity epidemic.

The project explored the cultural, historical and policy dimensions of obesity in the United States and Ireland. It also examined how medical practice, public policy, and cultural attitudes shape obesity treatment and the experiences of people living with the condition.

He noted that in Ireland access to GLP1 drugs is limited and that there is a scarcity of surgeons practicing in the field.

“It’s also illegal for bariatric surgeons to market or advertise their expertise,” he said. “That effects the dynamic with patients.”

During his visit, Dr. Juo met with Irish clinicians, researchers and trainees through academic discussions, clinical observations and collaborative research. He delivered presentations on topics ranging from the history of bariatric surgery to novel research methodologies at the University of Galway, St. Vincent’s University Hospital and Maynooth University.

An important objective of the mission was to establish lasting research partnerships beyond the visit. Dr. Juo is working with Dr. Francis Finucane at the University of Galway to develop an artificial intelligence-powered clinical registry to examine obesity treatment outcomes among patients in western Ireland.

The project aims to generate evidence to inform clinical decision-making and investigate barriers to care within Ireland’s publicly funded obesity healthcare system. He is also collaborating with BioInnovate Programme fellows at the University of Galway to explore innovative approaches to obesity care.

Through these partnerships, Dr. Juo hopes to strengthen international obesity research, facilitate clinical knowledge exchange and contribute to more effective and equitable care for people living with obesity.

“They were kind to host me for a month, and I hope that in the future I’ll be able to return that favor in some way,” he said.