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

Dr. A. Mathew Philip is a board certified Surgeon who has been in practice in this area for over 25 years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of the United Kingdom. His training included a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital; in Boston, and residences in Great Britain and USA. He was a chairman of the department of Surgery at Group Health Association in Washington DC, which he left before he went into private practice. He is a Clinical Associate Professor at G.W.U. in the Department of Surgery. Dr Philip joined Dr. Afram and the staff of the Center for Obesity Surgery in 2002 .

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).

Jacqueline Charlier, MPH, RD our program dietitian received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Science from the California State University at Chico. Jacqueline then received a Masters in Nutrition at Tulane University. While at Tulane she completed an internship at the Tulane Medical Center. Jacqueline has been working in the field of nutrition for over 7 years and joins our program with two years of experience working with obesity patients. Jacqueline participates in the weekly support group meetings to answer any nutritional questions. She is also available for one-to-one counseling.

Christine H. Haas, M.S., C.N.S., CP.T. NASM Certified Fitness Specialist is a practicing personal trainer certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Christine holds a number of fitness certifications and has received a Masters of Science Degree in Health and Fitness from the American University in Washington DC. In college, Christine was a Division 1 swimmer and finalist at the Northern Atlantic Conference. Since, she has been employed as a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym in Gamer, North Carolina, the manager of personal training at The Jacobs Fitness Center at the American University in Washington D.C., and as a personal trainer at The Sports Club L.A. in Washington D.C. Christine has also served as an adjunct professor at Montgomery College. Currently, Christine is a personal trainer at Sport and Health in Reston, VA, and a contractor with Sports Club L.A. Washington D.C. Christine also travels to companies, gyms and homes, all over the Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. Metropolitan area to help clients achieve their weight loss and weight maintenance goals. If you are interested in scheduling personal training session(s) with Christine, please feel free to contact Christine at Christine@nuweights.com or 301-351-8002.

Board certified internists and intensive care specialists experienced in both pre- and post-operative treatment of severely obese patients provide adjunctive care to all Center for Obesity Surgery patients. The OR team has assisted Dr. Afram in thousands of surgeries for obesity. The team works as a seamless unit and takes great pride in the weight loss success of its patients. The nurses and staff of the George Washingon University Hospital are an experienced and dedicated group of professionals accustomed to the special needs and sensitivities of obese patients.

Effective immediately
Dr. Paul Thesiger is no longer associated with the Center for Obesity Surgery
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