Joseph Caruana, MD, FACS

Dr. Joseph A. Caruana is the Medical Director of Synergy Bariatrics and has been performing gastric bypass surgery since June, 2000. In February, 2002, he dedicated his surgical practice exclusively to the surgical management of obesity and has performed over 3400 gastric bypass surgery procedures to date.  Throughout his career, Dr. Caruana has been recognized for his innovative research. He is credited as primary author of many medical journal publications related to gastric bypass surgery and patient management. Dr. Caruana has been a distinguished speaker at numerous medical conferences, including the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Caruana is a Regular Member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is a member of the Central Surgical Association, the American Medical Association, and State and County Medical Societies. He holds a board certification from the American Board of Surgery. http://www.buffalobariatrics.com

Florence Comite, MD

Florence Comite, MD, a graduate of Yale University School of Medicine, has served as a faculty member for over 24 years, most recently as an Associate Clinical Professor through 2008. In 2005, Dr. Comite established her unique Age Management Medicine and Endocrinology practice in Manhattan centering on the health needs of men and women facing the challenges of aging: changes in sexual function, libido, energy, weight maintenance, muscle mass, bone density, hormones and metabolism. Using data gleaned from a comprehensive evaluation process identifying risk and pre-symptomatic disease, Dr. Comite designs personalized programs based on an individual’s “Metabolic Blueprint” centered on nutrition, exercise, metabolism and hormone optimization as clinically indicated to prevent heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer. Of particular importance is her work in Andrology and Gynecology, specifically managing Andropause, Menopause and the effects of aging in men and women, allowing them to keep their edge, regain their vitality and maintain their health http://www.comitemd.com. Working with a clinical team, including an Exercise Physiologist who completes VO2 testing, each individual’s care plan is put into action and progress is closely monitored through personalized service. Dr. Comite is a leader in the evolution of wellness-based healthcare and focuses on optimizing health to maintain wellness and sustain patients’ quality of life. Dr. Comite graduated from Yale University School of Medicine in 1976 with awards for original research and continued at Yale with a residency in Medicine. She then completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). She remained at NIH as a Senior Clinical Associate until 1984 and joined the Yale faculty in 1985. From 1988 to 1998, Dr. Comite founded and directed Women’s Health at Yale as an Associate Professor in Endocrinology in the Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics as well as Reproductive Endocrinology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. From 1994 to 1995, Dr. Comite was a senior Clinical and Research Advisor to the NIH Offices of Alternative Medicine (OAM) and Research in Women’s Health (ORWH). Dr. Comite has served on numerous advisory councils and committees with the NIH, the Egyptian Ministry of Health, the International Spa Association, the Institute of Medicine, Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation and the Age Management Medicine Group.

Samuel Shatkin JR., MD

Dr. Shatkin is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and performs all aspects of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery since completing his Plastic Surgery Training in 1989. His major concentration is in the area of Aesthetic Surgery, including, Facial Rejuvenation, Nasal Surgery, Body contouring and Skin Resurfacing. He is on staff at several of the Western New York area hospitals including Kaleida Health System and The Catholic Health System. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the Lipoplasty Society, the American Medical Society and is currently the President of the Buffalo Plastic Surgery Society. http://www.drshatkin.com

Kenneth Rothaus, MD

A board-certified plastic surgeon for over 25 years, Dr. Rothaus's clinical experience and extensive knowledge of aesthetic, reconstructive surgery and laser surgery are matched only by his commitment to his patients. His philosophy, that doctor and patient should be partners in healthcare, ensures that the patient is well-informed of all his or her options, rights, and expectations but, most importantly, that the patient makes the right decision for themselves egarding their care. Dr. Rothaus is committed to the individual patient and the doctor-patient relationship that complements his unparalleled academic and professional qualifications in order to provide the patient with the best possible care. http://www.rothausmd.com/.

Jeroen Stevens, MD

Dr. Stevens has been practicing plastic surgery in the Netherlands for 19 years and is board certified by the Dutch Association for Plastic Surgery. He is a board member for the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in the Netherlands and the first Dutchman to receive a full registration as a cosmetic plastic surgeon with the Cote d'Azur in France. He has been published 32 times in scientific literature and presented in over 50 scientific meetings on various subjects. Dr. Stevens practices in Rotterdam and Vlaardingen in the Netherlands. http://www.drstevens.nl

Jim Smyton, JD

Mr. Smyton is a partner with Phillips Lytle LLP. At Phillips Lytle, Mr. Smyton focuses in all areas of corporate law, including acquisitions and sales, close corporations, shareholder disputes and related contract disputes. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, Mr. Smyton is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Buffalo Zoo, a member of the American, New York and Erie County Bar Associations. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Erie County Bar Foundation and on the Executive Committee of the National Conference for Community and Justice. He received his J.D., with distinction, from Kent College of Law in Chicago and his B.A. from University at Buffalo. http://www.phillipslytle.com/oa_AttorneyBio.asp?nId=5307

Sean Eldridge, MBA

Sean has worked for six years in a variety of capacities with Johnson & Johnson where his experience traversed the pharmaceutical, medical device, and corporate sectors. Sean started his career with J&J in the company's prestigious Leadership Development Programs. Upon completing the program he served as an internal process improvement consultant within one of J&J's leading medical device companies. From there he went on to create and grow a fee-for-service business development consulting company working with hospitals and physicians practices throughout the U.S. Sean graduated with high honors from Rochester Institute of Technology with a BS in Business Administration and is certifies member for the prestigious "Johnson & Johnson Black Belt" organization. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School and is currently working for a large corporation.

Barbara Metcalf, RN, CBN

Barbara graduated from nursing school in 1968. Her experience in nursing has involved surgical, respiratory, infectious and general intensive care, coronary care, cardiac cath lab, pediatrics and teaching nutrition at the junior high level. During the time she was raising four children she also coached track and field for many years. In 1995 she started working with Dr. Rabkin in Ventura and helped develop Pacific Laparoscopy. In 1999 she helped develop Central Valley Bariatrics in Delano, CA. She has been working with Pacific Laparoscopy in San Francisco since 2000. As Program Director she is facilitating patient education, monthly group support meetings, editing the quarterly newsletter and hospital liaison for in-service training and education. Patient follow-up, marketing and research are included as well. She has published on the importance monitoring body fat composition with exercise after duodenal switch procedure. She has presented many times at the national ASBMS meetings on vitamins, nutrition, exercise, group supports and duodenal switch controversies. She is on faculty for the Certification of Bariatric Nurses and recently earned her Certification for Bariatric Nursing as well. She is on Editorial staff for Allied Health, for SOARD (Surgery for Obesity and related Diseases) a professional peer reviewed journal. She is a consultant for Ethicon and talks on subjects from Sensitivity Training, Overview of Obesity and Motivating Patients to Exercise. She also helped establish our non-profit organization, Pacific Institute Explorer, whose mission is obesity education and public awareness. She is also on faculty with the American Society of Bariatrics Society, Allied Essentials Course. http://www.paclap.com

Laura Boyer, RN, CBN

Laura has been a Registered Nurse for 25 years. She spent 18 of those years in the peri-operative hospital setting. Laura teamed with Dr. Lavin in 2001 to create the Bariatric Surgery Program for the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. She is on the consulting faculty for Ethicon Endo-Surgery and Allergan. Laura has been a member of American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) since 2002 and is a presenter at their annual meeting. In June of 2006 she was elected Member at Large of the Allied Health Executive Council for ASMBS. She is currently President Elect for the Allied Health section of ASMBS. http://www.whyweight.com

Ofer Doyev, DVM

Dr. Doyev has been practicing small animal veterinary since 2000. He is the Medical Director of Haniel Veterinary Center in Haniel, Israel. Dr. Doyev received his degree from the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel.

Craig Wassinger, Ph.D, PT

Dr. Wassinger is a research fellow in physiotherapy at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. He received his PhD in Sports Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh researching sports biomechanics and has over 15 peer-reviewed publications assessing sport and orthopedic injuries. Dr. Wassinger has practiced physical therapy in diverse clinical settings.

Itai Tsabari, CPA

Itai is a controller for a high tech company in Tel Aviv, Israel. He received his Certified Public Accountant degree from the University of Tel Aviv, Israel. 

William Gourash, RN, CRNP, MSN