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Team and expertise
Main | Overview |
Team & Expertise |
Our Physicians UC Irvine Healthcare’s bariatric surgery services program, led by board-certified gastrointestinal surgeons, Drs. Ninh T. Nguyen and Brian R. Smith, offers patients in Orange County and surrounding communities the most advanced minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques and features a multidisciplinary team of experts including surgeons, anesthesiologists, psychologists, dieticians, nurses and patient coordinators. Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Smith are experienced in the most advanced weight loss procedures, including the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.
Ninh T. Nguyen, MD Dr. Nguyen, a specialist in surgeries of the gastrointestinal tract, is highly experienced in minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y bariatric surgeries, staging of esophageal cancer, esophagectomy, fundoplication, resection of gastric stromal tumors and photodynamic therapy. A board-certified gastrointestinal surgeon, Nguyen and colleagues conducted the first study to show that diagnostic and surgical procedures performed through keyhole incisions rather than large open wounds result in fewer complications, less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery compared to traditional open gastric bypass surgery with newer laparoscopic techniques.
Brian R. Smith, MD, FACS Dr. Smith specializes in laparoscopic, robotic and open surgeries of the gastrointestinal tract, including laparoscopic and open surgical approaches for bariatric procedures. He is a comprehensive foregut surgeon who also treats all types of gastrointestinal cancers, including liver, esophagus, stomach, gallbladder and pancreatic tumors. In addition, Smith is skilled in the repair of ventral, incisional, hiatal/diaphragmatic and inguinal hernias. He also is actively investigating the use of bioabsorbable materials for repair of inguinal and also performs component separation for repair of complex incisional hernias. Smith is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. He was named a 2011 Health Policy Scholar by the American College of Surgeons.
Sharon So, RN With more than eight years of experience as a gastroenterology nurse, Sharon So is the bariatric program coordinator for bariatric surgery services. She facilitates monthly bariatric support groups, coordinates patient care in the clinical setting and organizes patient visitations with all postoperative patients. Sharon studied nursing at Cerritos College and received her bachelors in science in business at St La Salle University in the Philippines. Sharon speaks fluent Chinese and Tagalog.
As a bariatric dietitian, Dariella provides nutrition guidance and counseling to patients in the surgical weight loss program. She assists our bariatric patients through diet phases before and after surgery and provides clinical nutrition care, assesses the nutrition status of patients, recommends appropriate nutrition intervention, educates patients and formulates nutrition care plans.
As the clinical social worker, Kristin contributes to the assessment process by evaluating our patients from a psycho-social perspective. She works closely with the bariatric team to develop an appropriate treatment plan prior to surgery so that each patient is set up for success. Kristin remains available to our patients to help with behavior changes, as well as provide emotional support and crisis intervention. Kristin is also responsible for facilitating and coordinating speakers for the bariatric support group.
Pam Didur, surgery scheduler and authorization coordinator, registers patients and schedules appointments and surgeries. Pam is also responsible for verifying insurance coverage and obtaining authorizations for physician visits and surgeries.
Erendira Rocha plays a vital role in a patient’s journey during their surgical procedure. She prepares patients by getting their preoperative vital signs, assists surgeons during procedures and provides postoperative care for patients. Erendira also participates in postoperative visits to patients to make sure they are doing well and educates patients on postoperative care. She is bilingual in Spanish and English.
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UC Irvine Healthcare |
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