Southeast Bariatrics

David Voellinger, MD, FACS, FASMBS

President, Southeast Bariatrics

Medical Director, Presbyterian Greater Charlotte Bariatric Network

Dr. Voellinger established Southeast Bariatrics in November 2005 after practicing General Surgery for three years with Charlotte Surgical Group. He now specializes exclusively in bariatric related surgeries, including gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, incisionless/endoscopic surgery, as well as revisions of previously failed previous bariatric procedures. Dr. Voellinger’s clinical research was published by Obesity Surgery in 2002.
Dr. Voellinger’s interest in weight loss surgery began during his fellowship where he recognized its life-changing potential at one of the largest bariatric surgery programs in the country. He also realized the ability of newer minimally invasive techniques to improve the patient’s surgical experience. It is his personal challenge to build one of the premier bariatric surgery programs in the region and to provide a compassionate, patient-centered environment that includes comprehensive multi-disciplinary pre-surgical education, quality surgical care, and intensive post-operative patient follow up. With his own personal struggles with weight loss, Dr. Voellinger has an appreciation for the struggles of each one of his patients.

 
Board certified: American Board of Surgery
Membership: American College of Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Residency: General Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham
Fellowship: Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY
 

To contact Dr. Voellinger, please call 704-347-4144 or e-mail him at: dvoellinger@southeastbariatrics.com.

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Catherine Head, MSN, ANP-BC

Bariatric Program Director/Adult Nurse Practitioner

Cathy Head is the Bariatric Program Director and an Adult Nurse Practitioner with Southeast Bariatrics. She has worked in bariatric surgery and bariatric medicine for over 7 years. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she held various clinical roles in nursing over the past 26 years. She sees patients for non-surgical weight management in addition to pre and post-surgical management.

Cathy is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and licensed by the North Board of Nursing and North Carolina Board of Medicine. She is a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery,  American Board of Bariatric Physicians, the Metrolina Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, North Carolina Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society.

Nurse Practitioners are advanced registered nurses with an advanced degree (Masters or PhD) and clinical experience. They diagnose, prescribe medications and treat patients with acute and chronic illnesses in collaboration with a physician, according to the American College of Nurse Practitioners.

To contact Ms. Head, call 704-347-4144, or e-mail her at: mchead@novanthealth.org

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Candace Bishop, PA-C, MBA

Physician Assistant 

Candace Bishop, PA-C, MBA joined SEB in January 2009. She received her B.S. in Biology at Pembroke State University and her Physician Assistant certification at Wake Forest University in 1999. The majority of her 10 years in practice have been spent in pain management and bariatric medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. Candace assists Dr. Voellinger in the operating room and in the clinic with post operative patient care, medical management, and smoking cessation. Candace’s interest in bariatric medicine comes from seeing the increase in the prevalence of obesity and the resulting health problems during her years in practice. She has also seen very positive change come from weight loss management, both surgical and non surgical. Candace is a local, originally from North Carolina and has lived in and around the Charlotte area her whole life. She enjoys traveling, running, biking and kayaking as well as spending time with her husband and 3 furry children.

To contact Ms. Bishop call 704-347-4144, or e-mail her at: cmbishop@novanthealth.org  

Erin Hanley

Practice Manager

Erin Hanley first began working with Dr. Voellinger in November, 2003 when she was a Patient Services Coordinator at the Presbyterian Center for Bariatric Surgery. She joined Southeast Bariatrics as the Practice Manager in December, 2005.
Originally from Michigan, Erin attended Central Michigan University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree in Arts Administration at Virginia Tech. In 2005, she completed a Certificate Program in Medical Office Administration at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. She is a member of the Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management and the American Academy of Medical Management.
Erin’s interest in bariatrics is born out of her own struggle with weight management. The opportunity to work in a supportive environment, where interest is placed on the health and wellness of both patients and staff, is a unique and amazing experience. But the best part of the job is saying to patients, ‘I look forward to seeing less of you,’ and not getting in trouble for it. In her free time Erin enjoys traveling, reading, and attending arts & cultural events.
 

To contact Erin, please call 704-347-4144 (ext. 202), or e-mail her at: eahanley@novanthealth.org

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Kendra Kirby Moree, MSW, P-LCSW

Clinical Social Worker

Kendra Kirby Moree is the Clinical Social Worker and has been with Southeast Bariatrics since 2008. She has over 12 years experience as a group facilitator with the Mental Health Associations, the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital, Department of Social Services, and other therapeutic settings. She is a skilled group facilitator who provides a safe “shame-free” environment for people to discover the tremendous power they have to change.

Kendra has focused her career on assisting individuals with removing the barriers to their goals and reaching their full potential. In these efforts, she has found the common barriers of anxiety, depression, fear, and unresolved grief and loss.  She strives to remove the delineation between health problems and mental health problems to incorporate the ideal of total wellness and the highest quality of life.  She believes in the balance of rest, proper nutrition, exercise, work, care giving, support and personal edification.

Kendra is a member of National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Clinical Social Workers, and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

To contact Kendra, please call 704-347-4144 (ext 215), or e-mail her at: kkmoree@novanthealth.org

Annie Lee, MS

Exercise Physiologist

Annie Lee is the Exercise Physiologist at Southeast Bariatrics.  She has a Masters of Science degree in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina (USC) and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Columbia College.  While at USC she was active in the graduate research department with a focus on focusing in exercise. She worked on an American College of Sports Medicine grant studying circadian rhythm of athletes, and a National Institutes of Health grant studying the effects of sleep duration in the geriatric population. 

Annie is a nationally recognized aerobics Master Instructor for The FIRM.  She is also serves as a lead instructor and cast member in numerous FIRM videos, such as, Hi-Def Sculpt and Cardio-to-Go.  She is an active contributor on The FIRM website hosting chats, forums, and frequently writing fitness and health articles.  Annie was featured on the Gail King XM Radio Show as a Fitness Expert.  She has been interviewed by Shape, Women’s Health, Vogue, Marie Claire, and Self magazines regarding her fitness expertise.
She is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.  She has also been certified as a Lap-Band Total Care Champion.  Annie is a lead coordinator for the National Walk from Obesity in the Charlotte region. The Charlotte walk was the third highest fundraiser in 2007, and the second highest in the country for both 2008 and 2009. She continues aim for the #1 fundraising walk site for 2010! 

Annie guides patients in developing a better understanding of their infinite fitness potential.  She teaches that you can do whatever you put your mind and body to! During the first assessment with Annie patients set the baseline to track their successes throughout their journey to better health.  She also develops an exercise/physical activity plan tailored specifically for each patient based on their abilities, what they want/like to do, and what life will allow them to do.  Annie is also available for personal training and fitness classes. 

To contact Annie, please call 704-347-4144 (ext 213), or e-mail her at: aylee@novanthealth.org  

Mary Sha Miller, RN, CRC

Clinical Research Coordinator

Mary Sha Miller joined Southeast Bariatrics in January 2008 as the Clinical Research Coordinator.  She attended the University of Mississippi where she discovered that working with people in a healthcare setting was truly her passion.  She graduated from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing at Queens University in 2005, and began her career as a Registered Nurse.  She worked on a post-surgical unit at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, where she was first introduced to the unique nature of bariatric patient care. 

It was that hospital experience that sparked Mary Sha’s interest in the bariatric community.  Bearing witness to patient’s diligence, hard work, and motivation to make a significant change in their life inspired her to investigate this specialized area of medicine.

Mary Sha feels privileged to be a member of the Southeast Bariatrics team with Dr. Voellinger. Her personal desire is to see the care of the bariatric patient population expanded throughout the healthcare community by positively promoting and actively participating in the field’s research. 

To contact Mary Sha, please call 704-347-4144 (ext 216), or e-mail her at: mmiller@novanthealth.org

Dawn Buchanan-Gibson, CMA

Lead Clinical Assistant 

Dawn Buchanan-Gibson joined Southeast Bariatrics in August 2006 as a clinical assistant. She is also a post-op bariatric patient of Dr. Voellinger’s, and had a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in October 2005.

Dawn received her degree in Medical Assisting from King’s College in 1989. She went on to achieve certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants in 1990, and has many years of patient care experience.

Dawn became interested in bariatrics as a result of her own experience dealing with obesity and the struggle with weight management. She feels that her personal experience as a WLS patient enables her to relate -personally- with patients who are dealing with obesity, and feels that it is actually this experience that drew her to become a part of the Southeast Bariatrics team.

Dawn is honored to be working at Southeast Bariatrics, and is always available to give patients the extra support they need while working through the decision making process of having surgery, and to be a cheerleader for you post-operatively to celebrate in your weight loss achievement.

In her free time, Dawn enjoys reading, swimming, and spending time with her two daughters and her husband.

To contact Dawn, please call 704-347-4146 (ext. 205), or e-mail her at: cdbuchanan@novanthealth.org

Karen Ramos, CMA

Certified Medical Assistant 

Karen Ramos has an extensive medical background as both a medical assistant and phlebotomist.  She has worked in the fields of internal medicine, gastroenterology, and cardiology.  She comes to Charlotte from upstate New York. Karen enjoys interacting with patients and encouraging them to continue with the success of their weight loss journey.  Karen graduated from Barclays Career Institute for Medical Assistants and Draughons College for phlebotomy technicians, and Boces Adult Education Program for EKG technicians.

  To contact Karen, please call 704-347-4144 (ext 221), or e-mail her at: kramos@novanthealth.org

Justin Clements, CNA

Medical Assistant

Justin Clements joined SEB as the Metabolic Technician in January 2009. He also serves as the lead assistant supporting our Supplement Shop. Justin is a Certified Nursing Assistant and has a medical background in Bariatrics, Geriatrics and Pediatrics. Prior to joining Southeast Bariatrics Justin worked as floor assistant at Presbyterian Hospital where he focused on bariatric and neurological patient care. Justin has a family history of obesity and its health related problems. As a result, he is passionate about prevention of the disease. Born and raised in the Charlotte area, Justin hopes to pursue a career in Nursing or Radiology.  In his free time he enjoys playing sports and spending time with family and friends.

To contact Justin, call 704-347-4144 (ext 219), or e-mail him at: jrclements@novanthealth.org

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Kim Gordon

Patient Relations, Non-Clinical Supervisor

Kim Gordon joined Southeast Bariatrics in March 2006 as a Patient Services Coordinator and is, herself, a former weight loss surgery patient of Dr. Voellinger’s. She had the Lap-Band surgery performed in June 2005.

Kim proclaims that the Lap-Band has changed both her life, and her outlook on life. Being heavy her whole life, Kim knows what it feels like to always be the ‘big person’ and she wants people to know that there are multiple weight loss options out there.

Kim has been in the Charlotte area since 1975. She started her professional career as a part time bank teller, where she enjoyed helping and meeting people. Due to a restructuring, Kim was recently laid off from Wachovia, where she had most recently been working as an Accounting Supervisor.

Anxious to find a new field where she could continue helping people, Kim mentioned her lay off to Dr. Voellinger. To her surprise, he offered her an opportunity to change careers. It is the best thing that has ever happened to her in her professional life.

Working at Southeast Bariatrics has given Kim the opportunity to help other people who are going through the same struggles she has had, and continues to face. Kim now feels a strong sense of fulfillment in her own life, and enjoys playing a role in her patients’ weight loss journeys. She is honored to be a part of the Southeast Bariatrics team, and looks forward to helping others feel as good about themselves as she feels about herself.

To contact Kim, please call 704-347-4144 (ext. 211), or e-mail her at: khgordon@novanthealth.org

Lisa Lunsford-Drouin

Patient Accounts, Non-Clinical Supervisor
 
Lisa Lunsford-Drouin began her work in the field of bariatrics at the Presbyterian Center for Bariatric Surgery. She joined Southeast Bariatrics in 2007.  She has worked in the medical field for over 7 years as a Data Specialist, Insurance Specialist, Patient Relations Specialist and Account Manager. Prior to her medical career, Lisa was a successful Business Manager with well over 15 years of customer service experience.

Lisa’s specialty is in patient relations, front office customer service, and insurance claim processing and collections. She can assist you with billing and account statement questions, as well as payment contracts. Her goal is to streamline the financial planning process for our patients.

Lisa is excited to be working with the SEB team. She enjoys the opportunity to be a part of helping people change their lives.  She takes pleasure in seeing the sparkle in the eyes of patients as they begin to achieve their weight loss goals.

To contact Lisa, please call 704347-4144 (ext 206), or e-mail her at: lldrouin@novanthealth.org

 Ginger Shrum

Patient Services Coordinator

Ginger Shrum has worked at southeast Bariatrics since June, 2008.  She had Gastric Bypass surgery five years ago and has lost over 90 pounds. Ginger has worked in the medical field since 1984.

Ginger thought about weight loss surgery for over three years before going to see a surgeon. She is pleased with her weight loss, but knows she will always work to balance her lifestyle to maintain her weight loss.  She makes informed choices about her eating habits and the importance of exercise.

Bariatric surgery is a subject dear to Ginger’s heart. She knows what it is like not to be chosen for teams in school due to weight and not have a boyfriend due to weight.  Ginger wants people who struggle with their weight to know that they are not alone and they do not have to accept the way the world sees them or treats them.  She is here to help any patient at SEB every step of the way even if it is just a phone call or email to of encouragement.  She knows how you feel as she has been there   Ginger wants to offer her services to help you live a healthy and full life. 

To contact Ginger, please call 704-347-4144 (ext 210), or e-mail her at: ggshrum@novanthealth.org  

Renae Angeloro 

Patient Services Coordinator  

Renae Angeloro has been with Southeast Bariatrics since 2006. She serves as a Patient Services Coordinator, and is responsible for performing the insurance and financial review with new patients. She has an extensive customer service and healthcare background. Renae is a post-op patient, and for as long as she can remember has struggled with her weight. At the age of 25, with a BMI of 44, Renae decided she needed help in transforming her life. She had a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in 2005. Renae has a new lease on life, and participates in activities she had only previously imagined. Her new found love is Salsa Dancing. She also has a great appreciation for art, which fuels her photography hobby. Renae is very close to her family, loves children, and looks forward to having a family of her own one day. Renae is excited to be a member of the Southeast Bariatrics team, and understands the anxiety involved in preparing yourself for Weight Loss Surgery. She hopes you will be encouraged to know that when you call the office you will be able to speak with many people who have gone through a similar experience to your own, and are eager to assist you on your journey.

To contact Renae, please call 704-347-4144 (ext. 207), or e-mail her at: rlangeloro@novanthealth.org

Helen Estep, CMA 

Patient Services Coordinator

Helen Estep became a Patient Services Coordinator for SEB in January, 2009.  She is from Charlotte, NC, and received her diploma in Medical Office Assisting at CPCC. She has worked both as a CMA and a cardiac technician.  In addition, she was employed by the YMCA of Greater Charlotte in various capacities for 17 years.

Helen’s introduction to Southeast Bariatrics was while researching bariatric surgery. After 5 years of talking with friends, reading literature and searching the internet, she attended a seminar in January, 2009.  She had Lap-Band surgery in July of that same year. Currently, two years post-op, Helen has lost 50% of her excess body weight.  She continues to monitor her lifestyle to achieve her optimum healthy weight.  She truly enjoys the benefits of having lost the excess weight. She walks effortlessly most mornings and during her lunch hour.  Her favorite hobby is traveling with her husband and friends.   Helen is very happy with her surgery and feels it is her mission and passion to educate herself and others about bariatric surgery options.  Helen’s advice to anyone considering surgery, or wanting to help, is to attend support groups and participate in the annual Walk from Obesity.

To contact Helen, please call 704-347-4144 (ext 218) , or e-mail her at: hdestep@novanthealth.org

Megan McAfee

Patient Services Coordinator 

Megan McAfee joined Southeast Bariatrics as a Patient Service Coordinator in March 2009, when she was looking to transition her career path from theatre (costume construction) to healthcare.  Originally from New Orleans, Megan spent the last 10 years living and working in Washington DC. In addition to her seamstress skills Megan is a Certified Massage Therapist. She enjoys working one on one with patients at the front desk and delights in watching as they progress on their journeys.

 To contact Megan, please call 704-347-4144 (ext 203), or e-mail her at: mimcafee@novanthealth.org