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Your Weight Management Team

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• Your Weight Management Team

For both surgical and non-surgical weight loss programs, you can be sure that you have a full-team of doctors, nurses, counselors and medical professionals helping you along the way. Our multi-disciplinary team includes staff from many different specialties.

This multidisciplinary team evaluates you before surgery and provides education and treatment after surgery. They deliver medical, nutritional, and psychological care, and looks at lifestyle changes following surgery.

Below are a just a few of the many people to help you along the way.

Medical Director/Surgical Weight Loss 

Michael Jiser, MD 

Doctor Michael Jiser started the Bariatric surgery program in Lowell in 2003. As Medical Director of the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery at Lowell General Hospital, he has completed over 450 laparoscopic Bariatric surgeries. He is a certified member of the American Board of Surgery and an active member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). Dr. Jiser completed his medical training at New York Medical College and his residency at Sound Shore Medical Center in New Rochelle, NY. He completed his mini-fellowship in Bariatric surgery at the Montefiore Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery. He is well-known throughout the Merrimack Valley as a leading laparoscopic surgeon, and often serves as a clinical instructor to surgeons around New England for various advanced laparoscopic surgical procedures. In addition to spending his free time with his family, Dr. Jiser is a huge baseball fan and attends as many Yankee games as he can.

Medical Director/Medical Weight Loss 

Wendy Mitchell, MD

Wendy Lawler Mitchell, MD, is the Medical Director of LGH's Medical Weight Management Program. Dr. Mitchell helped develop the Weight Management program, which aims to promote weight loss and the development of a healthy lifestyle to prevent cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, osteoarthritis, and multiple other conditions. Prior to her employment by the hospital, Dr. Mitchell was in a private internal medicine group practice.

Formerly Chief Medical Resident at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, Dr. Mitchell earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and her Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Dr. Mitchell completed her medical internship and residency at UMass Medical Center. While in medical school, Dr. Mitchell received a National Leadership Award for Primary Care Interest Group Leaders.

Dr. Mitchell is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Surgeon

Roy Shen, MD 

Doctor Roy Shen is the first surgeon in the Merrimack Valley to offer the Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap-Band®) to his Bariatric patients. Since joining our staff in Sept., 2003, he has completed over 400 laparoscopic Bariatric surgeries. Dr. Shen is the Chief of Surgery at Lowell General Hospital. He completed his medical training at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA, and his residency at the University of Illinois Metropolitan Group Hospital in Chicago, IL. He also completed a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery under the direction of Christine Ren, MD, one of the most prominent Bariatric surgeons in the U.S. During his fellowship he completed over 300 Bariatric cases with Dr. Ren. He has published several papers on different aspects of Bariatric surgery. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is an active member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). Dr. Shen enjoys spending time with his family.

Surgeon

Rebecca Shore, MD

Doctor Rebecca Shore is a graduate of University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed her surgical residency at University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. She went on to complete a fellowship in minimally invasive and Bariatric surgery at Tufts-New England Medical Center with Doctor Scott Shikora. Dr. Shore performed over 300 Bariatric cases as a fellow with Dr. Shikora. Since joining our staff in July, 2005, she has performed over 200 laparoscopic Bariatric surgeries. She is a certified member of the American Board of Surgery. She is also an active member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), for which she is also an active committee member. She has presented at the national ASBS and SAGES conventions. Dr. Shore's interests are advanced laparoscopic Bariatric surgery and women's health. She enjoys skiing, wind surfing and spending time with her family.

Program Coordinator/Director

Christine LaBrecque, RN, BSN

Christine is the Program Director for the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery at Lowell General Hospital. Her role incorporates patient care, education, and management of the center's programs and supportive services.

She is a certified bariatric nurse through the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and holds a bachelor of science in nursing from Emmanuel College. Christine is an affiliate member of American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, NAASO Obesity Society and the American Society for Bariatric Physicians.

Nurse Practitioner

Lisa C. Dutton, RNC, FNP

Lisa is a Family Nurse Practitioner and certified bariatric nurse who joined the Weight Management Center's staff in 2003. Lisa plays a key role in the post-operative care of bariatric patients, and is certified in Lap-Band and Realize Band adjustment. She mentors the post-operative support group that meets monthly and routinely participates in educational support groups offered by the center.

She is a member of American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Lisa holds Nursing and Master of Science degrees from Rivier College in Nashua, NH. She also worked for several years in a primary care office in the Greater Lowell Area. Lisa loves to shop and owns more pairs of shoes than anybody.

Medical Assistant

Barbara Swett 

Barbara is the Medical Assistant for the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery. She is the first medical personnel patients see prior to their appointment with the Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. She is responsible for updating any medical and/or medication documentation for patient's medical files, blood pressures, and weight. Barbara enjoys dancing, walking and life.

 

Mental Health Counselor

MaryBeth Sherrin, ALM, M.Ed

Marybeth is the Bariatric Behavioral Therapist for the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery. She is responsible for evaluating patient readiness for Bariatric surgery and helping patients plan for long-term post-operative success. In addition, Marybeth develops and facilitates workshops, retreats and ongoing support programs. Marybeth has been helping individuals, groups, and families in private practice, clinics and organizational settings for the past 17 years. For the past 4 years she focused on treating binge eating disorders and stressors associated with morbid obesity. She holds master's degrees from Harvard University and University of Massachusetts-Boston. Marybeth loves to hike, dance and play squash.

Dietitian

Jenny L. Hegmann, MS, RD, LDN

Jenny is a licensed Bariatric dietitian at the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery. Ms. Hegmann earned her degree in dietetics from Idaho State University and her masters degree in human nutrition and metabolism from Boston University. She completed her internship at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA); Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutritionists; American Dietetic Association's Weight Management Practice Group; and the American Association of Bariatric Physicians. Jenny loves the outdoors and is an accomplished long distance bike rider.

Dietitian

Shannon Mooney, RD, LDN

Shannon is a Bariatric dietitian for the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery. She is responsible for counseling patients on Bariatric nutrition and on making healthy food choices as they progress through the process. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Connecticut and is certified by the Massachusetts Dietetics Association. Shannon enjoys camping, skiing and spending time with her family.

Educator

Nancy Dalpe, RNFA, CNOR

Nancy is the Bariatric Educator for the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery and also a registered nurse first assist in the operating room. Nancy is responsible for the preoperative education and postoperative discharge instructions for the Bariatric patient. She holds a certification in operating room nursing and is a member of the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN). Nancy loves to garden and spend time in Maine.

Registered Nurse

Sharon Hamel, RN, BSN

Sharon is the newest member at the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery starting in July 2009. Sharon has strong assessment and interpersonal skills. Her responsibilities will be triage of patient calls, quality, and supporting patients throughout their weight loss journey both surgical and medical through the clinic's HMR program. Sharon and her husband are dog lovers, she is the proud mama of two Golden Retrievers.

Insurance Coordinator

Nancy Mullin, RN

Nancy has worked years in critical care and case management. She understands the ins and outs of health insurance and Bariatric medical policy. Nancy communicates to patients when the TEAM feels they are prepared for surgery and insurance approval is pending. Everyone always loves to hear from Nancy, it indicates they are approaching the final steps to surgery date. Nancy lives locally with her husband and two children.

Unit Coordinator

Susan Dufresne

Susan is the Unit Coordinator for the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery. Not only is Sue a friendly face to greet patients as they come in for their appointments, she confirms patients visits and collects updated medical information for the center and insurance companies. She also assists patients with referrals and the scheduling of medical appointments. Sue enjoys walks and quality time with her grandchildren.

Unit Coordinator

Susan Seamans, LPN

Susan came to work at the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery in March of 2009. Susan not only greets patient but you will find her checking blood pressures, weighing patients and caring for the Medical Weight (HMR) loss patients. Susan's great sense of humor and kindness have made her a great addition to the clinic.

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