Meet Our Staff
Blount Memorial Weight Management Center
The Blount Memorial Weight Management Center's caring, professional staff custom-tailors a comprehensive weight management program to fit each patient's specific situation and needs. Each member of this multidisciplinary team is dedicated to helping patients reach their weight loss goals safely and effectively.
- Angie Tillman, Weight Management Center director
- Dr. Mark Colquitt, bariatric-trained surgeon and bariatric medical director
- Dr. Jonathan Ray, bariatric-trained surgeon
- Dana Bradley, registered nurse and bariatric program coordinator
- Chad Hodson, fitness coordinator
- Heather Pierce, registered dietitian
- Michelle Ritchey, office coordinator
Angie Tillman, Weight Management Center director
Tillman directs the center's bariatric surgery, diabetes management and non-surgical weight management programs. She also conducts individual and group nutrition education sessions for patients, and leads support group meetings.
Educational background: bachelor's degree, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City; certified diabetes educator; certified group exercise instructor; and advanced training in bariatric surgery nutrition and bariatric surgery coordination from BariMD
Professional affiliations: member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Mark Colquitt, bariatric-trained surgeon and bariatric medical director
Colquitt, who is board-certified in general surgery, performs gastric bypass, banding and sleeve procedures through the Weight Management Center's bariatric surgery center of excellence.
Educational background: medical degree, University of Tennessee at Memphis; internship and residency, St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, Conn.
Professional affiliations: member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons and Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
Dr. Jonathan Ray, bariatric-trained surgeon
Ray, who is board-certified in general surgery, performs gastric bypass, banding and sleeve procedures through the Weight Management Center's bariatric surgery center of excellence.
Educational background: medical degree, Louisiana State University, New Orleans; residency, Charity Hospital System, New Orleans, La.; fellowship, Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla.
Professional affiliations: member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons and Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
Dana Bradley, registered nurse and bariatric program coordinator
Bradley provides pre- and post-operative education for all bariatric patients; serves as a resource to nursing staff on the hospital's bariatric unit; monitors the progress of bariatric surgical patients during their hospital stays; facilitates support groups; measures outcomes; provides sensitivity training for all staff working with bariatric patients; and serves as a liaison between the hospital and physicians.
Educational background: associate degree, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate; bachelor's degree, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Professional affiliations: member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Chad Hodson, fitness coordinator
Hodson provides exercise education, consultation and instruction based on the individual needs of each patient.
Educational background: bachelor's and master's degrees, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate; American College of Sports Medicine - certified health and fitness Instructor
Heather Pierce, registered dietitian
Pierce provides individual nutritional consultations and group classes to people preparing for bariatric surgery. She also facilitates support groups for people who have had or are considering bariatric surgery. In addition, Pierce is an instructor for the center's non-surgical weight management program, and she provides medical nutrition therapy and teaches group classes through the hospital's Diabetes Management Center.
Educational background: bachelor's and master's degrees, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City
Professional affiliations: member of the American Dietetic Association and board member of the Knoxville District Dietetic Association
Michelle Ritchey, office coordinator
Ritchey schedules the monthly bariatric program seminars; registers patients for appointments, seminars and classes; sends out monthly support group letters; helps schedule support groups; answers patient questions and offers support; and calls patients to schedule appointments with the center's registered dietitians, registered nurses and diabetes educators.
Katherine Romero, surgical services director
Romero oversees the direction of nursing care in the pre-operative testing area, pre-surgical holding room, operating room and post-anesthesia recovery room for all surgical patients, including bariatric patients.
Educational background: diploma in nursing, Charity Hospital School of Nursing, New Orleans, La.; bachelor of science in nursing, Loyola University of the South, New Orleans, La.; master's degree, Xavier University, New Orleans, La.; certified in operating room nursing.
Professional affiliations: member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses
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