Meet Our Experts
We are Synergy Bariatrics, a caring team of professionals who use a patient-centered approach to care. We promote 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.
Because of our experience with over 4000 patients, we have become experts in weight loss. Our talented providers can discuss with patients all options and explain the mechanisms of each. Synergy believes that when patient participate in their treatment plan, we can achiever the best results!
Our Doctors
Joseph A. Caruana, MD
Dr. Joseph A. Caruana is the Medical Director of Synergy Bariatrics and the Chief of Bariatric Surgery Services for Catholic Health. He has expert knowledge of the disease of obesity and for many years has been actively pursuing a cure. Since June, 2000, Dr. Caruana has performed gastric bypass surgery on over 3500 patients! His achievements with patient safety and advancements in the field of bariatrics have earned him national and international recognition. Dr. Caruana's professional career began after graduating from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. He completed a residency in surgery at the Erie County Medical Center and then went on to work at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, or VA Hospital in Buffalo. There, he performed surgery, but also became involved with the education of young surgeons and various clinical research projects. Eventually, Dr. Caruana became the Chief of Surgical Services at the VA. 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. 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.
Publications http://www.labome.org//exp/caruana/joseph-a-caruana-1466857.html
Mark F. Cavaretta, MD
Dr. Mark Cavaretta has been part of the Synergy Bariatrics team since 2010. He started his professional career as a bariatric surgeon after completing a fellowship in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery at Geinsinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. Prior to that, he completed his General Surgery Residency at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ. Dr. Cavaretta is a Buffalo, New York native. Dr. Cavaretta is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Medical Society of New York State and Catholic Medical Partners. He is a fine addition to our medical weight loss and surgical program.
Scott Monte, Pharm D
Director of Clinical Research and Pharmacoinformatics
Eating Behavioral Specialist
Ann Marie LiCausi, LMSW
Ann Marie LiCausi is a New York State Licensed Master Social Worker and graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo. Since 2002, Ann Marie has been the Executive Director of the Eating Disorders Association. She has spent the past 13 years counseling adults and adolescents with bulimia, anorexia, binge eating and other maladaptive eating behaviors. Prior to her work at the EDA, she has provided mental health services to various populations including the homeless, domestic violence victims, developmentally disabled and the elderly.
Physicians' Assistants
Marc 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 is Dr. Pham’s first assistant in the operating room and is a vital part of our clinical team in the office. 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.
Misty Dennis, MS, RPA-C
Misty graduated from Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology. She continued with the Physician Assistant program at D'Youville College where she became a member of the Student Physician Assistant Association and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2010.
Misty has been with Synergy Bariatrics since March 2011, working both in surgery as well as in the office. She is a member of the Western NY PA Association (WNYPAA) as well as an Associate Member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Bariatric Nurses
Lisa N. 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 patient care because she has undergone weight loss surgery herself by Dr. Caruana in September 2004. Lisa moderates Synergy Bariatrics patient support groups throughout the month. Her groups are well attended because patients and their families enjoy her wit, knowledge and compassion.
Support Staff
MA’s, Administrative Staff and Consultants
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 - Medical Assistant
Jackie Diaz, MA - Medical Assistant
Gail Christopher - Security and Compliance Officer, Office Manager, Billing Specialist
Valerie Emerson - Reception
Missy Fugelwicz - Patient Advocate
Julie Long - Office Assistant
Linda Brough - Patient Ambassador