Bariatric Surgeons
Our nationally recognized surgeons are trained in bariatric surgery.
Bariatric Medicine Providers
Meet our providers with expertise in bariatric medicine.
Bariatric Support Team
Amy Smith
Bariatric Program Manager
Our Bariatric Program Manager works closely with our surgeons to ensure that with provide the highly level of care to our patients. She is dedicated to assisting patients on their journey to better health through educating patients and providers in the community about the treatment options for obesity.
Danielle Jackson
Bariatric Program Specialist
Our Program Specialist runs our front office, verifies insurance benefits, and specializes in assisting our patients as they begin their journey. She helps by connecting them to our program resources put in place to maximize their success.
Cram Ortiz, RD
Registered Dietitian
Our Registered Dietitian doubles as a culinary trained Chef. She counsels patients seeking weight loss through nutritional counseling and supports our surgical weight loss patients through unlimited FREE visits to ensure that they are adjusting to the new life style after surgery to maximize their weight loss efforts. She can be seen teaching engaging cooking class that demonstrate that eating after weight loss surgery can still be enjoyable and yet support a healthy lifestyle. She is able to see patients in Gainesville, Braselton, or virtually through telehealth.
Aaron Perez, LCSW
Bariatric Behavioral Health Specialist
Our therapist has experience with individual and group counseling and routinely sees patients who struggle with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, addiction recovery, and many other psychosocial issues. He is available to our medical and surgical weight loss patients to assist them through any issues that arise as they go through their weight loss journey. He also supports all of our patients through support group activities. He does accept insurance and self-pay fees for counseling and is available for appointments in Gainesville or virtually through telehealth.
Clare Spear, BSN, RN, MBSAQIP, CR
Bariatric Clinical Reviewer
Our Clinical Reviewer monitors all of our clinical outcomes and enters our data in the national database ensuring that we remain compliant with our Center of Excellence requirements.
Multi-disciplinary Team Approach
This team consists of more than the just the surgeon who performs the operation. It includes the many dedicated consultants who evaluate to ensure a safe surgery. Also involved are a team of nurses who routinely take care of bariatric patients post-operatively and bariatric coordinators of the office and of the hospital who act as immediate contact people for support and questions.
The entire philosophy and mutual goal of the multi-disciplinary team is to carefully screen all patients before the surgery to identify any potential problems and correct as appropriate to ensure safety and success during and after the operation.
Begin Your Journey Today
There are three ways to get started:
- Watch our patient education video to learn about the options offered at NGMC.
- Connect with us using our short online form.
- Call 770-219-0446 to speak with a member of our team.