MEET DR. JOSEPH AFRAM AND HIS TEAM

Medical Director Joseph D. Afram, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a board certified surgeon with extensive experience in the surgical treatment of severe obesity since 1983. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgery and a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Afram was the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Columbia Hospital for Women Medical Center and is now the Clinical Director of the Bariatric Surgery Program at George Washington University Hospital.

Maria Zimmitti, Ph.D.
Dr. Zimmitti is the President and Clinical Director of Maria Zimmitti, Ph.D. & Associates, an organization which provides evaluation and therapy services to children and adults. She earned her M.A and Ph.D. degrees in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology (Los Angeles), where her research focused on eating disorders. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Georgetown University Medical Center, Center for Child Development, specializing in neuropsychological testing and he evaluation/treatment of eating disorders. Her post-doctoral training at the Kingsbury Center included neuropsychological assessment, as well as individual and group psychotherapy. Dr. Zimmitti has worked in a number of clinical settings including community mental health centers, medical settings and schools. She has particular expertise in the field of obesity and gastric bypass surgery and has been the Chief Psychologist for the Center for Obesity Surgery since 1997. Her role at the Center includes conducting pre-operative psychological evaluations, facilitating aftercare support groups and providing psychotherapy services to patients following surgery. She currently holds privileges at the George Washington Medical Center. Dr. Zimmitti is a licensed psychologist in the District of Columbia and Maryland and a member of the American Psychological Association, the District of Columbia Psychological Association, and the American Society for Bariatirc Surgery. If you would like to contact Dr. Zimmitti directly, her email address is mzimmitti@drzimmitti.com

Mohamed M.H. Kalan, MD is an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery and the Associate Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery at The George Washington University Hospital. His areas of expertise include minimal access gastrointestinal surgery, colorectal surgery, bariatric surgery and surgical oncology. Dr. Kalan is a Diplomate at the American College of Surgeons and a member of several national and international professional and scholary organizations including the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, Society of Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, American Society of Color and Rectal Surgeons, Association of Academic Surgery, Association for Surgical Education, American Hernia Society, American Society of General Surgeons, Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, British Society of Gastroenterology and the International Society of Digestive Surgery.

Dr. Amir Moazzez MD, FACS completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland at College Park, Maryland. He obtained his Masters degree in human physiology and completed his medical school training at the University of Health sciences/The Chicago Medical School, IL. Dr. Moazzez completed his surgical training at the Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC. During his bariatric training, he worked with nationally recognized bariatric surgeons including Dr. Michael Schwwitzer, Dr. Paul Wizman, Dr. Eric Demaria, Dr. Joseph Hebli, Dr. Elliot Goodman and Dr. Willam Roll. Dr. Moazzez is a member of American College of Surgeons, American Society for Bariatric surgeons, Medical Society of Virginia, Virginia Bariatric Society and Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). He holds his certifications from Fellow of American college of Surgeons, American Board of Surgery and Inamed Lap-Band placement. He is designated as center of Excellence (COE) by American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Moazzez offers his patients Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (The LAP-BAND).

Dr Eric Khairalla received extensive training in both the United States and Canada, and is one of few physicians in the nation to be board certified in both medicine and surgery. Dr. Khairalla completed his plastic surgery residency at the University of Toronto, considered among the top residency programs in North America. Following his training he completed two additional plastic surgery fellowships in cosmetic and breast surgery. The first fellowship was served at the Cosmetic Surgery Hospital in Toronto, Canada and the second fellowship was completed at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Prior to his plastic surgery training Dr. Khairalla completed a residency in Internal medicine in Baltimore Maryland. During his training Dr. Khairalla received numerous academic, research and teaching awards and was elected to the National Registry of Who’s who in 2000. He has presented several papers at national meetings and published several articles. He has also been involved in volunteer missions by the Dominican Republic through Operation Luz del Sol.

CERTIFICATIONS
Dr. Khairalla is certified in Plastic Surgery by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is also certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is dedicated to the excellence in the practice of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery and stays on the cutting edge of his specialty with the most advanced and innovative techniques.

AWARDS AND HONORS
National Registry of Who’s who 2000
Clinical Research Award, Univ. of Toronto 1996.
Resident Teaching Award, Univ. of Toronto 1995
Dean’s Honor List, Faculty of Medicine 1987
Dean’s Honor List Faculty of Arts and Science 1982/81

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Diplomate American Board of Plastic Surgery
Fellow Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Member American society of Plastic Surgeons
Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine

PROCEDURES
Breast Surgery
Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift
Breast Reduction
Breast Reconstruction
Male Breast Reduction Surgery/Gynecomastia
Body Contouring
Liposuction
Tummy Tuck
Thigh/Arm lifts

PROCEDURES
Face and Neck Lift
Nose Surgery
Chin/Cheek Implants
Lip Enhancement
Ear Pinning Surgery
Endoscopic Technique
Botox Injection
Wrinkle Reduction by Injection
Dermabrasion
Laser Skin Resurfacing

Others
Scar Revision
Spider Vein Treatment
Skin Cancer Surgery
General Reconstruction
Maxillofacial Surgery

HOSPITAL AFFILIATION
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Serena Scanzillo
* NASM Certified Personal Trainer
* CPR/AED Certified (AHA)
* NESTA Fitness Nutrition Coach
* AFPA Functional Sports Exercise Specialist
* AFPA Trainer of Special Populations
* Bariatric Exercise Specialist

Serena graduated George Mason University in Spring of 2007 with a B.A. in Communication: Media Studies & Criticism. She currently works at Wakefield High School as the Girls Assistant Varsity Lacrosse Coach and also works as a Bariatric Exercise Specialist, training and consulting pre and post-op gastric bypass patients for Dr. Afram at the George Washington University Hospital.In her free time, Serena is a professional dog-walker and enjoys running a variety of local races (5k-half marathon). Networking and learning more about entrepreneurship is yet another extreme passion of hers.

Rebecca Mohning M.S., R.D., L.D. is a registered dietitian that has been working in the field of medical nutrition therapy for over 10 years. She has devoted her life to health, nutrition, and fitness. Rebecca has worked with bariatric surgery patients at the Center for Obesity Surgery since 2007. Rebecca has her own nutrition consulting business Expert Nutrition and enjoys conducting workshops on nutrition and wellness for fitness facilities, businesses, universities, and sports teams. Rebecca has appeared in local news shows and nationwide shows, magazines, and newspapers. She has worked with numerous local running and triathlon clubs and she is a spokesperson for Diet to Go.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics and her Master’s Degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Iowa State University. She also has a personal training certification from the American College of Sports Medicine. Rebecca specializes in weight management, disease prevention and medical nutrition therapy for diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
Rebecca can help you reach your nutrition goals and help you manage your weight or medical condition for a lifetime. The key is moderation, balance, and a variety of foods that meet your nutritional needs.
Her services include individualized nutrition counseling for weight loss, bariatric surgery, hypertension, osteoporosis, heart disease, weight gain, sports nutrition, food allergies, digestive problems, and vegetarianism. She offers grocery shopping tours and metabolic testing. To learn more about her services you can visit www.expertnutrition.net.