Surgery
Our experienced team
Experienced surgeons
Studies have shown that the surgeon's experience—literally, how many gastric bypass or gastric lap-band procedures he or she has performed—has a direct impact on patient safety and outcome. The board-certified surgeons at Emerson Hospital have extensive clinical experience in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric (weight loss) surgery. They have performed more than 700 gastric bypass surgeries with positive, long-term results. In addition to being well-acquainted with the technical aspects of both gastric bypass and gastric banding, they also understand what it takes to help their patients throughout the process.
| Michael Jiser, MD Dr. Jiser graduated from New York Medical College and completed his residency at Sound Shore Medical Center in New Rochelle, New York. He also completed a mini-fellowship in bariatric surgery at Montefiore. He is board-certified in surgery and his interests are advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery. |
| Roy Shen, MD Dr. Shen graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and completed his residency at University of Illinois-Metropolitan Group Hospitals in Chicago. He also completed a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at New York University. He is board-certified in surgery, and his interests are advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery. Dr. Shen was the first surgeon in the Merrimack Valley to offer the gastric banding or lap-band procedure. |
Angela Fenton, M.A., LMHC
Mental Health Practitioner, Program Manager
Ms. Fenton received a masters degree in mental health and behavioral medicine from Boston University School of Medicine. She is certified by Bariatric Support Centers International as a support group leader and success habits
instructor and is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Melissa Villar, MS, RD, LDN
Program Dietitian
Ms. Villar received a masters degree in Nutrition
and Health Promotion from Simmons College and also has her bachelors in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric
Surgery.
Courtney Hamilton, MS, RD, LDN
Program Dietitian
Ms. Hamilton received a Masters degree at the University at Buffalo and obtained her undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and a Licensed Dietitian in the state of Massachusetts and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Hilda Escobedo, BMS, PA-C, BS
Physician Assistant-Certified, Bariatric Surgery Clinical Coordinator
Ms. Escobedo received her bachelors of medical science degree and physician associate degree from Emory University School of Medicine. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Massachusetts Association of Physician Assistants, and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.