Our program at Texas Health Hospital Rockwall is a full service bariatric or weight loss program that offers many options combined with long-term support. Our goal is to address the needs of patients of size who want help in finding their health again.
Many of our team members are bariatric patients themselves. They understand where you are because they have traveled the same road. They have dealt with the guilt and shame you might feel. That is NOT who you are! We can help you explore the options that might make sense for you and help you achieve your weight loss needs and goals.
You will not be alone in this journey, but rather will have the guidance, experience and support of a highly skilled resource team – your patient advocate, dietitian, nurse, and, of course, your physician. In addition, there are routine office visits, electronic and phone accountability communication, monthly support groups and fitness options offered to help you achieve your goals.
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Surgical Director - Colleen Kennedy, MD, FACS, FASMBS
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Dr. Colleen Kennedy is a board certified general surgeon whose fellowship in the field of minimally invasive weight loss (bariatric) surgery spans more than 15 years. She is the surgical director of our program and has been a part of our program family since 2012.
Dr. Kennedy performs gastric bypass, gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy), gastric Ballooning, gastric band and revisional weight loss surgery procedures. Her skill and expertise has been instrumental in maintaining our hospital’s MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program) designation.
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Bariatric Surgeon - Jeff S. Stephens MD, FACS
Meet Dr. Stephens
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Dr. Jeff S. Stephens is a native Texan from Lubbock, married with 2 girls. He is a board certified general surgeon, a Fellow with American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology as well as American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. Dr. Stephens is an advanced laparoscopic surgeon.
He attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, with residency at Baylor University Medical Center and a Fellowship in Surgical Oncology at Roswell Park Memorial Cancer Institute. Dr. Stephens has been serving the area as a general surgeon since the completion of his training in 1998.
He has been trained and doing bariatric surgery since 2009.
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Bariatric Surgeon - Dr. Michael Lee, FACS, FASMBS
Meet Dr. Lee
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Michael Lee, M.D., Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Michael Lee is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS), a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and a Fellow of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (FASMBS) with the highest credentials in order to practice the highest level of bariatric surgery and revisional bariatric surgery. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston before going on to complete his general surgery residency training at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Dr. Lee is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive metabolic and bariatric surgery from the renowned Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Upon completion of his training, Dr. Lee was recruited as Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery and the Director of the Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery Fellowship Program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas from 2012-2015 before entering private practice.
Dr. Lee specializes in minimally invasive bariatric surgery including revisional surgery as well as a minimally invasive general surgery. He has presented at the national level and published in peer-reviewed journals on topics ranging from robotic-assisted bariatric surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques, and reducing risk in bariatric surgery. His professional society memberships include the (ACS) American College of Surgeons, (SAGES) Society of American GI and Endoscopic Surgeons, and the (ASMBS) American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. In his free time, Dr. Lee trains for long distance triathlons and hopes to inspire and motivate his patients promoting physical activity and ethical eating.
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Bariatrician
Indrani Raman, MD, is a board-certified internist and nephrologist who offers highly customized, patient-focused care including medical weight loss in our Rockwall center.
After spending several years in medical practice as a ne1phrologist, Dr. Raman discovered her passion for holistic and functional medicine and helping patients restore their overall wellness. Dr. Raman is dedicated to helping her patients optimize their health through medically supervised weight loss plans, nutritional guidance, and a combination of traditional and integrative therapies. Her highly personalized approach to medicine ensures that every patient gets the benefit of her full attention as well as the precise advice and treatment they need.
Education
- Medical Degree: Kurnool Medical College in India
- Residency & Internship: Internal Medicine and Nephrology at the State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo
- Fellowship: Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
Memberships and Designations
- Board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Nephrology
- Diplomat in Obesity Medicine
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Program Director
Jane Cauley, RN, BSN, CBN
Jane joined the field of bariatrics from oncology nursing in 2003 after having her own weight loss surgery. This is her third start up program in bariatrics, all with a focus on Center of Excellence achievement.
It is her passion about patient education you will notice most.
Jane is married and enjoys spending her time with her family, including her precious grandchildren.
You will also find Jane leading our support groups and participating in our exercise classes whether in the gym or at water aerobics
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Registered Dietitian
Betsy Thomas, RD, LD
Betsy has worked in the field of bariatrics since 2007. Betsy is married and an active mom of 3 young children. She also cares for patients with End Stage Renal Disease on dialysis, where majority of the patients are there due to obesity related problems.
It is her goal to see fewer patients in a dialysis unit and more patients living actively and enjoying life because they have a handle on their weight and their health.
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Clinical Reviewer
Bertha Calderon, LVN
Bertha is a Licensed Vocation Nurse who has one more semester to complete her RN, a proud accomplishment! In her role, Bertha focuses on program quality through a detailed review of quality and compliance to program standards established by our national organization. Bertha is a proud mom of 3 (soon to be 4) fun and active children.
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Patient Coordinator
Lilo Whitehead
The role of the patient coordinator is to facilitate obtaining approval for bariatric surgery. She coordinates the scheduling of pre-op testing, request approvals and ultimately schedules the surgeries. Lilo has wealth of knowledge about insurance having worked in health care for 10 years in various settings. Prior to healthcare, Lilo was a Director of a nationally accredited childcare program providing education and care to our little ones.
Lilo is married to her husband for 33 years with three beautiful daughters. The role she is most proud of is being a grandmother. She loves shopping, decorating and spending time with her family during her off time.
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Admitting Representative
Angela “Angie” Weems
Angie is the first point of contact welcoming you into our program, or our front door. She answers the phone, verifies benefits, makes the majority of appointments and registers patients when they receive services in our clinic. She has been in healthcare for 9 years, the majority of that in clinic settings.
Angie is a proud mother of two fine young men. While she is not a native of Texas, she got here as soon as she could she would tell you. Angie enjoys spending her spare time with friends and family.
