Physicians & Care Team

Dhvani Doshi, MD, MPH
Medical Director

Kaveh Hajifathalian, MD, MPH
Director of Advanced Endoscopy

Daniel B. Jones, MD, MS, FACS
Surgical Director

Milcah Graves, MSN, NP
Bariatric Nurse Practitioner

Dennis Dennis, RDN
Nutritionist/Registered Dietician

Behavioral Health Specialists

Elizabeth Veras, RMA
Medical Patient Navigator

Dr. Ravi Upadhyay
Obesity Medicine Physician

Dr. Simge Yuksel
Endocrinologist

Dr. Ana Diaz
Obesity Medicine Physician 

Paulina Beristain
Nutritionist/Registered Dietician

Referral Services

Patients of the Weight Management Center have access to a team of medical specialists who are experts in obesity-associated health conditions such as:

• Sleep Medicine
  Excess body weight contributes to sleep apnea by causing increased pressure on the human body’s upper airways. This leads to collapse and decreased muscle control from fatty deposits, which can cause decreased lung volume and make it more difficult to breathe. A sleep medicine specialist can diagnose sleep apnea through a sleep study test, which is often performed at home. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is nighttime use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. Weight loss, by as little as 5-10% of current body weight, can eliminate or reduce the severity of sleep apnea and, in some cases, prevent further development.
• Cardiology
  A healthy weight is important for a healthy heart. Obesity can be a risk factor for developing conditions that affect your heart, including high blood pressure, heart failure and diabetes. A 2018 study showed that adults between ages 40 and 59, who are overweight or have obesity, have a higher risk of developing heart disease, including conditions like heart attack and stroke. A cardiologist, or heart specialist, can evaluate for serious heart conditions before patients start a physical activity program or undergo bariatric surgery as part of their weight loss journey.
• Hepatology
  Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is currently the most common indication for liver transplant and is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the world. MAFLD is a spectrum of disease associated with the accumulation of fat in the liver. In the most advanced stage, which occurs in about one of three patients, there is increased risk for liver failure, liver cancer, and need for liver transplant.  The most effective treatment for MAFLD is weight loss.