Bariatric Surgery
Weight Loss Program

Katherine S. Blevins, MD

Katherine Blevins, M.D., Ph.D. is a minimally invasive surgeon (MIS) with a focus in bariatric, foregut and advanced gastrointestinal surgery. She is board certified in general surgery, and is fellowship trained in advanced GI, MIS and bariatric surgery. She holds certificates for Advanced GI MIS Surgery from SAGES, as well as the ASMBS Fellowship Certificate for Bariatric Surgery. She is skilled in both laparoscopic and robotic techniques. Dr. Blevins completed her general surgery residency training at Stanford University. During her training, she spent two years in professional development as a fellow in the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship, a project based medical technology innovation program where she was trained in medical technology innovation from idea to implementation. She completed advanced clinical training as a clinical fellow in advanced GI/MIS and Bariatric Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, one of the highest ranked fellowship programs for GI surgery in the country. Dr. Blevins’ research interests include medical technology innovation as well as patient outcomes after bariatric surgery. She has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and has directed and collaborated with teams in many stages of medical technology innovation. Dr. Blevins attended University of California, Irvine for her undergraduate education, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. She earned her doctorate degree in bioengineering with an emphasis in biomaterials from the University of Utah. Her dissertation focused on designing novel targeted gene delivery systems to prevent type 1 diabetes. During her Ph.D. work, she discovered her love for the translational aspects of research and chose to expand her background in clinical medicine. She attended medical school at the University of Utah where she was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha. During her clinical years, she was drawn to surgery. One of her favorite parts of surgery is the ability to work with patients to help solve their problems. Her long-term goals are to integrate clinical practice as a surgeon with advancing innovation in medical technology.

Adrian B. Dobrowolsky, MD

Adrian Dobrowolsky, MD, FACS, FASMBS, is Director of the Bariatric Weight Loss Program at Hoag. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery for weight loss and diseases of the esophagus and stomach using laparoscopic and robotic methods. As a board-certified surgeon, Dr. Dobrowolsky has performed hundreds of bariatric surgeries throughout his career. Dr. Dobrowolsky’s areas of research interest include minimally invasive surgical techniques, revision of bariatric surgery, and foregut surgery. Dr. Dobrowolsky has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and editorials. He is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, among other professional associations. Dr. Dobrowolsky completed a minimally invasive and bariatric surgery fellowship at Keck Medical Center of USC, as well as a general surgery internship and residency at Loyola University Medical Center. He earned his Doctor of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago – Stritch School of Medicine.

Cynthia L. Ruszat, NP

David T. Ahn, MD

Dr. David Ahn is an Endocrinologist with a focus in Diabetes and Metabolism and currently serves as Chief of Diabetes Services at Hoag. He previously was an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA. Born and raised in Southern California, Dr. Ahn received his Medical Degree and completed a fellowship in Endocrinology at UC San Diego. He is passionate about empowering people with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes to optimize their blood sugar control while minimizing the emotional burden of living with chronic disease. He has an interest in diabetes technology, including continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps and smartphone apps.

Tanzila S. Razzaki, MD

Dr. Razzaki is an endocrinologist specializing in providing treatment for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic and endocrine disorders. She is triple board certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism; Obesity Medicine; and Internal Medicine. After completing her Internal Medicine residency and Endocrinology fellowship at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Razzaki expanded upon her specialty areas by completing a second fellowship in Obesity Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Dr. Razzaki is a leading expert in Obesity Medicine, Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome. She has been a key contributor to research studies related to obesity and diabetes mellitus and has published her work in peer-reviewed journals.

Abhay S. Parikh, MD

Abhay S Parikh, M.D. received his medical degree from the Southwestern School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of California, San Diego. Subsequently, he did his Gastroenterology Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He is a fellow of the American Society of Gastroenterology.<br><br>Dr Parikh has held many leadership roles including being the past President of the Orange County Medical Association, member of the Executive committee of Hoag Hospital and a member of the Finance committee of Hoag Hospital. He is presently on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee and the Quality and the Clinical Quality Committee.<br><br>Dr. Parikh is an outspoken advocate for building greater awareness about good health.

Lauren L. Bennett, PhD

Dr. Bennett is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist who completed her training at several top-tier institutions, including the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (two-year neuropsychology postdoctoral fellowship specializing in sport neuropsychology), University of Maryland/VA Maryland Healthcare System (residency), UCLA (externship), Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (externship), and California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles (doctorate). Her clinical interests include neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury, vascular disease/stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and the relationship between psychological and cognitive symptoms. Dr. Bennett is the author of numerous publications centering on cognitive functioning in various neurodegenerative diseases and the long-term cognitive effects of repetitive head impacts in sports.

Elizabeth Vitale, MS, RD, CDCES

Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Registered Dietitian Training in Adult Weight Management

Summer Plummer, MSN, RN

Nurse Navigator