Surgeon

Our bariatric surgeon is board-certified and specializes in laparoscopic bariatric surgery. She will work with you to find the best surgical option for you.

Nurse Practitioner and Program Director

Our program director is a nurse practitioner with over 10 years of experience who also fulfills clinical and administrative leadership roles for the Johns Hopkins Center for Bariatric Surgery. She works closely with the multidisciplinary team to continue to provide the highest quality of care and support for patients to help them resolve medical problems and promote overall well-being.

Kate Dobish, MSN, AGACNP
Carmela Nguyen, MSN, FNP-BC, NP-C

Bariatric Scheduling Coordinator

The scheduling coordinator keeps the surgical calendar for the practice, facilitates the multidisciplinary work-ups and handles patient correspondence. She provides financial and insurance counseling and assists in the scheduling of appointments and procedures.

Shannon Hurst

Dietitians

Our dietitians offer nutrition education to help each patient develop healthy eating habits and understand post-weight loss surgery dietary restrictions, behavioral changes and supplements for long-term success.

Jodie Hofacre RD, LDN, CDCES
Amanda Podczerwinski MS, RD, LDN

Psychologists

Before surgery, our psychologists will evaluate your understanding of the procedure, assess your motivation to comply with the post-operative surgery instructions and lifestyle changes, look for the presence of any mental health problems that might need to be addressed, and discuss the documentation of past self-disciplinary eating patterns and your understanding of the importance of physical activity, stress management and social support.

Personal Trainer

Our personal trainer works closely with patients through their entire weight loss experience, offering a personalized approach to physical activity based on the individual’s preferences, habits and restrictions throughout the continuum of surgery. He provides support and motivation as he assists patients to increase physical movement.

Bulsby (Buzz) Duncan

Office coordinators are available to answer questions Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please call 202-370-6565 or fax 202-537-4248.

Clinical and Administrative Assistant

Sharone Butler