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.

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

Christine H. Haas, M.S., C.N.S., CP.T. Licensed Nutritionist and NASM Certified Personal Trainer holds a nutrition license in Washington DC and Maryland and is a personal trainer certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Christine has a number of fitness and nutrition certifications including the American Dietetic Association Certification in Adult Weight Management. Christine graduated from the University of Vermont in Nutrition Education and has received a Masters of Science Degree in Health and Fitness from the American University in Washington DC. Christine has been employed as a nutritionist and personal trainer at The Sports Club L.A. in Washington D.C. and has served as an adjunct professor at Montgomery College for nutrition. Currently, Christine owns and operates NuWeights, a nutrition and personal training company in No. VA and is the fitness coordinator and nutritionist at the Center for Obesity Surgery. If you are interested in scheduling personal training session(s), please feel free to contact Christine at Christine@nuweights.com or 571-241-7000.

Rebecca Mohning M.S., R.D., L.D. our program dietitian has been working in the field of weight loss for over 10 years specializing in obesity. She also has experience in sports nutrition and wellness. She has devoted her life to health, nutrition, and fitness. Rebecca has her own nutrition consulting business and enjoys conducting workshops on nutrition and wellness for fitness facilities, businesses, universities, and sports teams. Rebecca has appeared in local news shows and programs, magazines, and newspapers. She has worked with numerous local running and triathlon clubs.

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 is a spokesperson for Diet to Go, and she does nutrition counseling for Sports Club LA, Cardiology Associates, George Washington University’s Weight Management Center and the GWU Athletic Department located in Washington, DC. She specializes in weight management, performance nutrition, and eating disorders. She currently teaches in the Undergraduate and Graduate Department of Exercise Science at George Washington University.

Rebecca participates in the weekly support group meetings to answer any nutritional questions for the Bariatric patients after surgery. She is also available for one on one counseling. If you are interested in scheduling a nutrition consultation you can contact her at www.expertnutrition.net.

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
For information on plastic surgeon please contact our office.