Obesity Action Coalition Advisory Board

Dave Engstrom, PhD
Dr. Engstrom is a clinical health psychologist, board certified in Clinical Psychology. He practices in Scottsdale, Arizona and is a psychologist at Scottsdale Bariatric Center. An active member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, he has presented research papers and taught workshops to professionals. Dr. Engstrom is a specialist in applying mindfulness techniques to long-term weight management, and his clinical interests include motivational therapy, stress management and sleep disorders.

Dory Ferraro, MS, CS, ANP
Dory has specialized in the field of obesity surgery for more than 13 years and has been instrumental in the development of bariatric practices throughout the United States. She is a graduate of the School of Nursing at Stony Brook where she earned a master’s degree and certification as a Nurse Practitioner. She is the Clinical Director of Columbia Presbyterian’s Center for Obesity Surgery at Lawrence Hospital and the Medical Director of the Long Island Bariatric Center in Levittown, New York.

Neil Hutcher, MD
Dr. Neil E. Hutcher is a graduate of the University of Richmond and the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond . After completing a Surgical internship, residency and a Clinical Transplant Fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia, he began practicing medicine in Richmond in l973. Dr. Hutcher has established a busy practice devoted almost exclusively to the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. Through his efforts with the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, he has become pro-active in the areas of insurance coverage and medical access issues for the severely obese patient population. His efforts have been directed towards education of the general public as well as legislative lobbying both on the federal and state level. He is currently the President of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and serves on the Advisory Board of The American Obesity Association.

Paulette Massari, LCSW, CAP, CS
Ms. Massari has been a weight-loss surgery patient for more than eight and a half years. She has been a private practicing psychotherapist for the past 30 years in substance abuse and mental health and for the last eight providing services to bariatric surgery patients. As a social worker, she has worked with insurance providers and government officials advocating for access to care for weight-loss surgery.

Melissa Parish
Ms. Parish, along with her husband, underwent weight-loss surgery in 2003. Today she has gone from a size 24 down to a size 4. As a leader of a bariatric surgery support group, Ms. Parish offers patients a great enthusiasm and willingness to share her experiences with this life changing procedure. In addition to the support group, she also hosts an online Web site and message board, and works with 3,000 - 5,000 patients monthly in dealing with the emotional, physical and social aspects of obesity and morbid obesity. Currently, Melissa is authoring a book for morbidly obese patients due out in 2006. She is an excellent proactive advocate for change consistently contacting insurance providers seeking access to care for those affected by this disease.

Debra Salvatore, RN, BS, CNOR, CFN
Debra Salvatore is the Director of Bariatric Services at Garden City Hospital. She has a degree in nursing as a Registered Nurse and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and holds certification in PeriOperative and Forensic nursing. She continues to work in both fields of nursing. She was the Surgical Education Coordinator for six years at NOMC prior to becoming an administrator. She is also a former bariatric surgery patient (six years and maintained all excess weight-loss). She has first hand knowledge of medical, scientific, surgical and personal experience.

Karen Sparks, MBE
Karen Sparks is a gastric bypass patient having had surgery in December, 2003. She is a former Dean of Business Administration and Technology at Baker College, and has been teaching for 15 years in business and technology. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Master degree in Business Education, and is completing her Ph.D. in HealthCare and Business Administration as well. She is the co-owner of Little Victories Press and Little Victories Support Specialists serving both bariatric patients and medical professionals. She remains active in many professional education and technology research groups as well.

Lloyd Stegemann, MD
Dr. Stegemann is a private practice bariatric surgeon with New Dimensions Weight Loss Surgery/Weight Wise in San Antonio, TX. He was the driving force behind the Texas Weight Loss Surgery Summit and in the formation of the Texas Association of Bariatric Surgeons (TABS) where he currently serves as President. His Prescription For Success™ aftercare program is being used by hundreds of patients and reflects his passion and commitment to the weight-loss patient. He has been very active in the Texas state legislature trying to increase patient access to weight-loss surgery. Dr. Stegemann is a proud member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) and the OAC.

Harvey Sugerman, MD
Dr. Sugerman is a retired bariatric surgeon. Formerly, he was Chief of the General Surgery/Trauma Division at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. He is the immediate Past-President of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and was a non-voting member of the Medicare Coverage Assessment Committee on Bariatric Surgery. He is currently the Chairman of the Bariatric Surgery Review Committee which evaluates applications for Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence under contract to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Sugerman is a member of the Obesity Action Coalition.

Gary Viscio, Esq.
Gary Viscio is an attorney who specializes in appeals for denials of obesity surgery, reimbursement and coverage, as well as obesity discrimination. In July 2003, he underwent weight-loss surgery, and to date has lost more than 160 pounds. He is a member of the Obesity Help Advisory Panel and the Board of Directors of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association. He has handled insurance litigation matters for nearly 15 years.

If you are interested in serving on the OAC Advisory Board, please click here for more information.