We Use
Medical Staff
# 1 in New York State
Synergy Bariatrics, in conjunction with Sisters of Charity Hospital, is the #1 ranked bariatric surgery practice in New York State (see HealthGrades in Awards and Recognitions). We are a caring team of professionals with experience in the surgical management of over 3500 patients. Our holistic approach to weight loss surgery stresses the importance of patient education, regular check-ups, and the support of family and peers to take on the challenges of healthy eating, regular physical activity, and behavior change.
Medical Director and Surgeon
Joseph A. Caruana, MD
Dr. Joseph A. Caruana is the Medical Director of Synergy Bariatrics. He has been performing gastric bypass surgery since June, 2000. In February, 2002, he dedicated his surgical practice exclusively to the surgical management of obesity. He has performed over 3100 gastric bypass surgery procedures to date.
After graduating from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, Dr. Caruana completed a residency in surgery at the Erie County Medical Center. He then combined surgery with the education of young surgeons and research at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Buffalo where he eventually held the position of Chief, Surgical Service.
Since 1989 he has been in private practice focusing on surgical diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Throughout his career, Dr. Caruana has been recognized for his innovative research. Among others published, he is credited as primary author of several medical journal publications related to gastric bypass surgery and the management of his patients and he has been a distinguished speaker at several medical conferences, including the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the Central Surgical Association.
Dr. Caruana is a Regular Member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the Central Surgical Association, the American Medical Association, and State and County Medical Societies. He holds specialty board certification from the American Board of Surgery.
Surgeon
Tuan Pham, MD
Dr. Dang Tuan Pham is an internationally trained and practiced Laparoendoscopic Surgeon who combines discipline and respect with the art of surgery. Having special interest in endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, he contributes diversity to the bariatric expertise of Synergy Bariatrics.
Dr. Pham attended medical school at the University of Paris in France. After completion of his post-doctoral (or residency) training at Baystate Medical Center in Massachusetts, Dr. Pham had a distinguished career in the US Air Force, both as Chief of Surgery at various military treatment facilities, statesides and overseas, and as Consultant in General Surgery to the Command Surgeon of PACAF (Pacific Air Force) and USAFE (US Air Force in Europe). He also held several academic positions as assistant professor or clinical professor, both in the military and in the civilian sector after he separated from his active duty commission and transitioned into the Air Force Reserve Component. Dr. Pham is impressed with the integrity and achievements of Synergy Bariatrics and will be a great asset to our team.
Dr. Pham is a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons and the Society of Air Force Clinical Surgeons among other state and international medical professional groups. He holds specialty board certification from the American Board of Surgery.
Medical Staff
Marc N. McCabe, RPA-C
Marc has been Dr. Caruana’s primary surgical assistant with gastric bypass from the start. He has been working with Dr. Caruana since graduation from D’Youville College in 1999 and helped develop the Synergy Bariatric Surgery Program.
Marc is President and founder of Bariatric Fusion, Inc. Bariatric Fusion, makers of specially-formulated bariatric surgery vitamins and supplements, was developed to fulfill the need for superior products for our patients.
Marc is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He is an Associate Member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.
Audrey Smith, RPA-C
Audrey graduated Summa Cum Laude from D'Youville College in 1999 with a B.S. in Physician Assisting. She has been actively practicing as a PA since that time and has worked in Internal Medicine with special interest in Women's Health and Pain Management. Audrey has worked with Dr. Joseph Caruana since January 2004 and also works part time in a local Internal Medicine practice.
Audrey has precepted several PA and Medical students and is a PA mentor. She lectures for the D'Youville College PA Program and was nominated for Outstanding Physician Assistant in 2004 by her peers.
Audrey’s broad professional experiences and exceptional patient skills make a great contribution to the Synergy Bariatrics. Her role is key in post-surgical patient follow-up and lifestyle coaching.
Audrey maintains her National Certification with the NCCPA in both Medicine and Surgery. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Obesity Action Coalition, New York State Society of PAs, Virginia Academy of Pas, and an associate member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Audrey is currently the President of the Western New York Physician Assistant Association as well.
Nicole Rossney, MS, RPA-C
Nicole acts as Dr. Pham’s first assistant in the operating room. She also follows patients in the office for postoperative care. Nicole earned her BS/MS degree in Physician Assistant Studies from D’Youville College after graduating Summa cum Laude in 2007. Since graduating Nicole has been employed in the surgical field. Prior to joining Synergy in January 2010, she was employed in general surgery for 2 years.
Nicole was voted PA student of the year by her peers in 2007 and actively precepts PA students. She is an Associate Member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Lisa Naylon, RN, CBN
Lisa is credentialed as a certified bariatric nurse. She started her career after earning an Associate Degree in Nursing with honors from Erie Community College in 1992. She has been employed at Sisters of Charity Hospital for 24 years and has been working closely with gastric bypass patients there since the inception of the Synergy Bariatrics program in 2000.
Lisa offers a unique perspective to Synergy Bariatrics Professional Team having undergone gastric bypass surgery by Dr. Caruana in September 2004.
Awards and Recognitions
Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence
Synergy Bariatrics has been designated a Bariatric Surgery of Excellence by the Surgical Review Committee. This esteemed designation is reserved only for comprehensive programs that involve a multidisciplinary team of medical and health professionals that provide education and support to achieve excellent surgical outcomes.
Number One Rating for Clinical Excellence in Bariatric Surgery
The surgical team of Synergy Bariatrics and Sisters of Charity Hospital have repeatedly earned the Five-star Rating for Clinical Excellence in Bariatric Surgery from HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings organization. This year (2009) we have been named the #1 Bariatric Surgery Practice in New York State.
Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery
We are also a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery. Nominated by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, our program has demonstrated commitment to quality care and better overall outcomes because we meet their stringent clinical criteria, and provide a full range of bariatric surgery care services, including inpatient care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up care and patient education.
Insurance Participation
Synergy Bariatrics participates with most major insurance carriers; however, there may be some restrictions with insurance plan, procedure type, or surgeon. Call your insurance carrier member services hotline and talk to our new patient liason about the options available to you. Our billing specialist can help you determine your financial responsibility if you have a high deductible plan, other copay arrangement, or no bariatric surgery coverage at all.
We participate with the following insurance carriers:
Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of WNY
Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Outside WNY)
Blue Cross/Blue Shield Family Health Plus
Buffalo Community Health
Community Blue
Community Care
Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Excellus
Encompass 65
Family Health Plus
Healthy New York
Independent Health
Medicare
Medicaid
NOVA
OHIP
RMSCO
SeniorBlue
Traditional Blue
Univera
Univera PPO Univera PPS
Univera Senior Choice
OHIP/Ontario Residents
Synergy Bariatrics is a preferred provider for bariatric surgery. If you are an Ontario resident interested in surgery, ask your primary care physician to submit an application to the Ministry of Health for out-of-country approval for bariatric surgery with Synergy Bariatrics.
Cash Pay
We offer competitive cash pay fees for surgery. Hospitalization, anesthesia, and other charges may or may not be covered by health insurance plan. All patients must fulfill our standard requirements for surgical candidacy pay separate initial office consultation and surgical program fees.
Practice Staff
Julia Kabakov
Chief Executive Officer
Julia Kabakov is active with business development and administration. She has attended bariatric surgery workshops for medical professionals, presented her work during Sisters Hospital Grand Rounds and other meetings, and has partnered with Dr. Caruana to write several published journal articles.
Julia enjoys taking part in new research projects and works with the medical professionals and staff of Synergy Bariatrics to improve quality of patient care.
Office Staff
The staff of Synergy Bariatrics work very hard to give you the best service possible. Much of our success is attributed to their dedication and support.
Deanne Stanton, MA
Surgery Coordinator and Manager, Medical Affairs
Gail Christopher
Billing Specialist and Manager, Business Affairs
Lisa Naylon, RN, CBN
Bariatric Nurse
Linda Evoy
New Patient Liason
Amanda Waterhouse, MA
Clinical Assistant
Missy Fugelwicz
Patient Advocate
Jackie Diaz
Medical Receptiontist
Julie Long
Administrative Assistant
Tina Zybtek
Administrative Assistant
Our Gym
Synergy Health & Fitness is our sister company located in the same facility. Weight loss surgery patients have the opportunity to take advantage of a free trial membership during which a thorough fitness assessment and personalized exercise program are conducted by one of their certified personal trainers.
The gym is a great place to meet new friends, relax and enjoy a protein shake in the cafe or join in on one of the many fun social activities planned throughout the year. Check out the calendar posted in the gym for dates and times of exercise classes, events and support group meetings.
Hospital Information
Synergy Bariatrics is affiliated with Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, New York. With newly remodeled, private hospital rooms, modern equipment, well-trained staff, and a dedicated bariatric surgery wing, Sisters Hospital provides quality care and comfort.
Learn more about Sisters of Charity Hospital, part of the Catholic Health System, on their website:
www.chsbuffalo.org/Services/BariatricSurgery
Our Partners
Ron Lelito, PhD, BCIA
Clinical Psychology
Dr. Ron Lelito is a New York State licensed psychologist and graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo. In addition to his doctoral training, Dr. Lelito completed advanced training in pain management and biofeedback through the Behavioral Medicine Research and Training Foundation. Dr. Lelito is board certified in biofeedback and is an associate member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Lelito offers a full range of health psychology treatment including surgical evaluation and preparation, pain management, biofeedback, weight management, smoking cessation, treatment of sleep disorders, stress management and psychotherapy.
Dr. Lelito has also received training and provided services in the areas of community mental health, substance abuse, severely and persistently mentally ill populations, inpatient mental health treatment, individual and group psychotherapy, family therapy, community-based services to the developmentally disabled, emergency room evaluation and triage, neuropsychological evaluations, and Independent Medical Exams. Dr. Lelito has also provided psychological consultation to mental health treatment facilities, federal health and mental health treatment programs, public schools, and personal injury and disability attorneys.
In 2005, Dr. Lelito established a private practice in Buffalo, New York specializing in pain management and bariatric consultation. Over the years, the need for bariatric consultation has grown substantially and Dr. Lelito's practice now focuses exclusively on surgical weight management. To date, Dr. Lelito has worked with over 2000 bariatric surgery candidates.
Dr. Lelito follows guidelines published by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (Suggestions for the Presurgical Psychological Evaluation of Bariatric Surgery Candidates: Allied Health Sciences Section Ad Hoc Behavioral Health Committee, October 2004).
These guidelines include behavioral assessment of weight loss history, current eating habits, physical activities, substance abuse, health related risk-taking behavior, post-surgical compliance and adherence, legal history, cognitive and emotional functioning, comprehension of procedures and capacity to make medical decisions, coping skills, psychopathology, developmental history, current stressors, social support, motivation, and expectations. Committee recommendations include utilization of clinical interview, review of medical history, neurocognitive assessment, behavioral assessment, and psychological testing.
Maria Weber, MS, RD
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Maria R. Weber, registered dietitian and certified fitness professional founded ACTIVE NUTRITION in 2003.
THE VISION of Active Nutrition is to be recognized and respected as a credible provider of nutrition and fitness services in Western New York. Because of the unique focus on not only nutrition, but also fitness and behavior change, the programs and services offered through Active Nutrition will empower clients with the information and tools necessary to change their own lifestyle habits to improve their health and decrease their risk of disease to produce lasting results toward the goal of sustainable lifestyle change.
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