Julie M. Janeway, BBA, MSA, JD, PhD/ABD

Julie Janeway is an attorney, and a professional public health and bariatric educator.  She is also a gastric bypass patient having had surgery in October, 2003.  She is a previously published author of numerous articles on legal, non-legal, medical, and medico-legal topics, and is frequently featured in various peer-reviewed publications such as Bariatric Times, General Surgery News, Obesity Care, and the international bariatric publication Beyond Change writing about a variety of bariatric and other medically related topics.  She is the co-author of the number one weight loss surgery patient education book in the world, “The REAL Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery: An Indispensable Guide to What You Can REALLY Expect!” now in its second edition, and “Little Victories REAL Food Cookbook! Easy, practical, healthy foods your whole family will eat."  She is also a contributing author of Weight Loss Surgery: A Multidisciplinary Approach (a text book for residents, fellows, and general surgeons), is a major contributing author of The Encyclopedia of Obesity, the principal author of an upcoming textbook for dietary science students and practicing dietitians, a revolutionary textbook for medical schools and allied health programs on the inter-relationship and treatment of obesity and diabetes, as well as the co-author of two new bariatric patient success journals, and a health practitioner guidebook for use of those journals, due out in late 2010.

Karen J. Sparks, BBA, MEd

Karen Sparks is a professional public health and bariatric educator, and the co-author of the number one weight loss surgery patient education book in the world,  “The REAL Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery:  An Indispensable Guide to What You Can REALLY Expect!” now in its second edition.  She is a gastric bypass patient having had surgery in December, 2003, and is also the co-author of “Little Victories REAL Food Cookbook! Easy, practical, healthy foods your whole family will eat." She is a major contributing author of The Encyclopedia of Obesity, a contributing author of an upcoming textbook for dietary science students and practicing dietitians, a revolutionary textbook for medical schools and allied health programs on the inter-relationship and treatment of obesity and diabetes, as well as the co-author of two new bariatric patient success journals, and a health practitioner guidebook for use of those journals, due out in late 2010.

Dr. Buffington received her doctorate in Physiology from The University of Texas, Austin, and obtained postdoctoral fellowships in Biochemistry, Endocrinology, and Cardiology at The University of Texas and The University of Tennessee Health Science Centers.  As a researcher and scientist, Dr. Buffington has earned the reputation of being one of the world’s foremost authorities in the field of bariatrics. She was one of the first to recognize the low anti-oxidant potential among the morbidly obese, and she was one of the first to report vitamin D deficiencies in both post-operative and pre-operative (non-operative) Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients.

Florida Hospital / Celebration Health is where Dr. Buffington currently calls home, and serves as one of its premier research scientists and advisors.  Dr. Buffington has also served as the Director of Research for U.S. Bariatric, the Director of Research for The University of Tennessee’s Obesity Wellness Center, and as an Associate Professor in the University’s Departments of Medicine and Preventative Medicine.  She has written and published hundreds of internet columns, newspaper columns, peer-reviewed journal articles and essays, papers, case studies and abstracts on the subject of obesity, its nature as a disease, associative illnesses, the treatments and cures, and the subsequent lifetime of follow-up for even the most successful of bariatric patients.

Cynthia Buffington has presented numerous reports, moderated special scientific sessions, and served on various committees for the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, the North American Association for the Study of Obesity, the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity, the American Diabetes Association, and the Endocrine Society. In addition, she has authored several book chapters and numerous manuscripts and reports, along with writing a monthly research column for Beyond Change, an international bariatric newsletter.

Randal S. Baker, MD, FACS

Dr. Baker specializes in bariatric surgery and has had significant experience as a general surgeon prior to his bariatric practice. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgery. He completed a Fellowship in Critical Care, and holds an additional certificate for Critical Care through the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Baker has served for several years as the Medical Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Units at Spectrum Hospital, and is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Michigan State University. He is a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, the American Medical Association, and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.

Dr. Baker is also a 2005 award nominee for the Outstanding Achievement Award of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery Foundation. This award is given for significant contributions to the advancement of bariatric surgery, and representation of the highest ideals of the ASBS. As a nominee for this award Dr. Baker stands alongside some of the greatest medical minds in the world today, and his innovative ideas and contributions are most worthy of the praise. He is also a proud past recipient of the American College of Surgeons Transplantation Award.

Dr. Baker has researched, published, and lectured extensively on the topics of morbid obesity, bariatric surgery, bariatric surgical and endoscopic revision, and surgical critical care. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the prestigious Obesity Surgery Journal, a publication of international reputation in the medical community. He also helped to develop a bio-absorbable staple line product to decrease bleeding and leaks from staple lines. This product won the 2002 American Medical Innovation of the Year award.

Following the development of that sealant, Dr. Baker and his partners Drs. Foote and Kemmeter presented and published a landmark study on "The Science of Stapling and Leaks" in the Obesity Surgery Journal. Portions of this research were presented at the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO) Conference in Spain in 2003. The research received the prestigious international INAMED Award, and to date remains the most requested article ever published by the Obesity Surgery Journal. He is also the co-author of the best-selling book, "The REAL Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery: An Indispensable Guide to What You Can REALLY Expect!"

Dr. Baker frequently lectures and trains at the Ethicon Endo-Surgery Institute, and continues his collaborative bariatric research efforts with both Ethicon Endo-Surgery and the W.L. Gore Company as well. Nationally and internationally, he is a regularly sought after speaker and educator with a relaxed and easy style. Dr. Baker is equally effective speaking to patients or fellow physicians. His charm, passion, and sense of humor pervade all that he does, whether working with patients, teaching, or recording his next music CD for release. Randy Baker is also an accomplished musician, singer, and songwriter who plays a mean jazzy-blues piano!

The credentials that he considers most important though, are those of husband and father of nine (yes… 9…) wonderful children! (No, he is not Catholic or Mormon, which are the most common questions he and his wife are asked when out in public.) He is a caring and attentive family man, and has even been known to take the afternoon off work to take all of his children to see a movie. He rarely misses their basketball and volleyball games either.

In addition to all his amazing credentials, he is actually a caring doctor with a wonderful bedside manner! Dr. Baker is also just an all around nice person who cares deeply about his patients, attempting to help them find new, healthy, and enjoyable lives. He and his partners have surrounded themselves with staff of a similar ethic, those who have intense empathy for their patients through the "thick and thin" of the entire weight loss process. He feels that there is no better job in the world than being a bariatric surgeon because he believes the hugs and the smiles of the patients are worth more than all the gold and glory that could come from any other endeavor.

Julie Lovisa, RD, CD

Julie Lovisa is the Bariatric Dietitian for Memorial Hospital’s Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Center in South Bend, IN. As one of the original team members at the bariatric clinic, Julie developed the nutritional portion of both the medical and surgical aspects of the program. Julie manages the nutritional status of all preoperative and postoperative surgical patients, orients new patients to the surgical program, leads the Lap-Band and Roux-en-Y support groups, oversees the hospital employee weight loss program, coaches medically supervised weight loss patients, and is involved with marketing the surgical and non-surgical weight loss programs. Julie is also a preceptor for dietetic internship students interested in the field of weight loss surgery.

Julie completed her undergraduate studies at Indiana University, completed her didactic training at Spalding University in Louisville, KY and is currently completing a Masters degree in Social Work at Indiana University. She has published several articles for dietetic professionals and bariatric surgery patients, and is actively involved with the Indiana Dietetic Association as the Northern Indiana District Public Policy Representative and Past President of the Northern Indiana Dietetic Association. She is a recipient of the Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management from the American Dietetic Association, and holds memberships in the Weight Management and Behavioral Health dietetic practice groups through the American Dietetic Association (ADA).  Julie is also an associate member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

As a public speaker, she has developed continuing education programs on the topic of bariatric surgery for dietitians and mental health professionals. Julie has previously appeared on local and regional T.V. shows and is a frequently featured guest on local news stations in the Northern Indiana area.

Dr. Hendrick is a Board Certified surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery, is a Center of Excellence approved bariatric surgeon, and also has significant experience as a skilled general surgeon. He is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and currently serves as the Medical Director for The Bariatric Surgical Center at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital in suburban Detroit. Dr. Hendrick performs the Roux-en-Y bypass, Lap-Band®, Duodenal Switch, Biliopancreatic Diversion, gastric sleeve, and revisional procedures. Prior to his current position, Dr. Hendrick practiced as a bariatric surgeon with the CORI Center in Warren, Michigan. During his residency, at St. John Hospital and Medical Center he also served as Chief Resident where he was awarded the Outstanding Laparo-endoscopic Resident Surgeon Award. He is a dynamic speaker and presenter, with a number of original research papers and peer-reviewed journal articles to his credit. His engaging manner and caring disposition make him a beloved member of his patients’ families. His sense of humor, and straight forward, unsugar-coated style is what forms the basis of the tremendous trusting relationships he forms with colleagues and patients alike. He is a respected and noted member of the Michigan medical community, and been recently stepping into the national spotlight through presentations with ASMBS, and other such organizations. His intellect, surgical gifts, and passion for helping bariatric patients are truly a benefit and blessing for his patients suffering from the disease of obesity and its sequelae.

Nabila Ahmed-Sarwar, PharmD, BCPS, CDE

Dr. Ahmed-Sarwar serves as a consultant and professional training specialist for LV Medical/Legal Consulting & Training™ regarding diabetes and pharmacy issues.

Dr. Ahmed-Sarwar is currently the Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator in the Department of Pharmacy at Crouse Hospital located in Syracuse, New York.  Additionally, she is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice with Ferris State University College of Pharmacy, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor with Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Department of Family Practice. 

She received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and her Pharm.D. degrees at Midwestern University-Chicago College of Pharmacy.  She has completed a residency in Family Medicine from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist.  Dr. Ahmed-Sarwar is also a Certified Diabetic Educator, and teaches diabetes lectures for several Michigan medical schools, nursing programs, and allied health training programs. 

She has published and presented on the topics of diabetes and obesity at numerous scientific meetings and in several peer-reviewed medical journals, is considered a leading expert in the world on medication modification issues for post-surgical bariatric patients, and is the seminal author on the topic.  She authored a chapter on this issue for the second edition of The REAL Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery: An Indispensible Guide To What You Can REALLY Expect.  She is also a contributing author of the Encyclopedia of Obesity, and served as a gastroentronology panel reviewer for the Management of Patients Receiving Bariatric Surgery section of  the Pharmacotherapy Self-Assessment Program, 6th Edition, 2009.

Dr. Ahmed-Sarwar is a highly sought after researcher, education expert, and speaker in the areas of diabetes, obesity, and their related drug therapies. She is a member of several professional organizations in addition to serving as a Board Member to the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc.

Dr. Clarke holds two degrees from Michigan State University, a Bachelor degree in Audiology & Speech Science, and a Master degree in Education, as well as a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy from Western Michigan University, from which she graduated with honors.  She is the Director of Multi Cultural Affairs and Inclusion at Michigan State University. Her expertise is in strategic planning, survey development, program evaluation, data collection, environmental scans, cost-benefit analysis, public policy, multiculturalism and diversity, children’s issues, family functioning, youth asset development, curriculum, mentoring, leadership, and goal setting.

Judi has experienced academic success as well as athletic success.  In the 400-Meter Hurdle event Judi has been a five-time National Champion, and Silver Medalist in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California. She has held numerous National and World Records, and still owns an unbroken World Record as a member of the distance medley relay team in which she ran the 400-Meter leg. 

Constantine Bardis, JD

Constantine Bardis, Esq., is a New Jersey attorney specializing in insurance issues, real estate and premise liability law, employment and business law, and constitutional law, among other areas.  Constantine holds a B.A. in History from Seton Hall University, and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.  He is licensed and admitted to practice through the Bars of New Jersey and New York, as well as the federal District Courts, and the second and third federal Circuit Courts of Appeals. 

In addition to being a member of the New Jersey and New York State Bar Associaions, he is a member of the American Bar Association, as well as the Obesity Action Coalition.  He also supports several other philanthropic groups.