Dr Michel Murr is a Professor of Surgery at the University of South Florida and Director of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at Tampa General Hospital. Prior to his appointment at USF, Dr. Murr was the Gastrointestinal Surgery Scholar and Research Fellow with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He pioneered laparoscopic bariatric surgery in the Tampa Bay area, and oversees one of the nation’s busiest and the first JCAHO accredited academic bariatric surgery center.

Werner Andrade, M.D.
Bariatric Fellow
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Dr. Andrade is currently an Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery Clinical Fellow at Tampa General Hospital. He completed his training in general surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.  He assists in laparoscopic and open procedures as well as multiple ongoing research projects within the Bariatric Multidisciplinary Institute.

Luciano Fiszer, M.D.
Bariatric Fellow
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Dr. Fiszer is currently an Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery Clinical Fellow at Tampa General Hospital. He completed his training in general surgery at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.  He assists in laparoscopic and open procedures as well as multiple ongoing research projects within the Bariatric Multidisciplinary Institute.

Denise Edwards, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Dr. Edwards holds a dual board certification.  She is the Director of the Healthy Weight Clinic and focuses primarily on medical weight management for both children and adults.  She is also a member of the multi-disciplinary team for pre-operative and post-operative management of the surgical patients.

Susan Orellana
Bariatric Coordinator
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

In addition to her administrative duties for Dr. Murr, Susan conducts the Orientation Sessions and New Patient Support Group Meetings at Tampa General Hospital. She knows the issues all too well, as she has undergone gastric bypass surgery herself.

Elizabeth Brustman
Office Assistant
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Liz is the office receptionist. She handles various administrative tasks for the bariatric service.

Andrea Friedman, Ph.D.
Psychologist
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Dr. Friedman is a licensed psychologist specializing in health psychology and clinical neuropsychology.  Dr. Friedman received her doctoral degree in psychology from the University of Miami in 1995.  She completed her internship at the Boston VA Medical Center/Tufts Consortium, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.  Her areas of special interest include stress, diabetes, cancer, dementia, chronic pain, MS, cardiovascular disease, womens’ health, weight management, and positive psychology.  Her clinical practice includes individual psychotherapy, couples counseling, coaching, and groups.

Perry Kaly, Ph.D.
Psychologist
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Dr. Kaly is a licensed psychologist specializing in clinical health psychology, and sport and exercise psychology.  Dr. Kaly received his doctoral degree in psychology from the University of Florida in 1999, and completed internship and postdoctoral residency at the University of South Florida.  He has advanced training in clinical psychopharmacology.  His clinical practice focuses on eating disorders, weight management, bariatric surgery, pain management, adjustment to acute and chronic medical illness, psychodiagnostic assessment, and general psychotherapy with adolescents, adults, couples and families.

Mario Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Psychologist
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Dr. Rodriguez is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in health psychology and behavioral medicine.  Dr. Rodriguez obtained his doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the University of Miami in 1995, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Carnegie Mellon University.  His practice focuses on integrative and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy with adults, couples, and persons with medical illnesses.  His areas of special interest include coping with chronic illness, psychopharmacology, geriatric psychology, chronic pain, weight management, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Jamie Chase, RD
Bariatric Dietitian
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Jamie is a registered and licensed dietitian and nutritionist.  She also holds board certification in adult weight management.  She provides medical nutritional therapy to patients with gastrointestinal disorders including the bariatric service.  She provides initial and follow up nutritional counseling for pre and post-op gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band patients.

Barbara Allen, ARNP
Bariatric Nurse Practitioner
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Barbara is the nurse practitioner for the bariatric service.  With over 20 years of nursing experience, she provides education and support as well as medical direction to patients in the pre-operative clinic, during their stay at Tampa General Hospital and in the post-operative clinic.

Sandra Sanchez, RN
Bariatric Navigator
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Sandra is the nurse navigator for the bariatric service. With her nursing experience, she responds to patient inquiries in the pre and post-operative phases. She also facilitates both the pre and post-op support groups.