Meet the Staff
Rodolfo Arreola, MD
Rodolfo Arreola, MD
Co-Director of Bariatric Surgery
rodolfo.arreola@hamot.org
Rodolfo Arreola, M.D. is a board certified general surgeon who specializes in weight reduction surgery. He earned his medical degree at Brown University School of Medicine in Providence, Rhode Island. After medical school Dr. Arreola completed his residency training in surgery at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, New York.
Dr. Arreola was an attending surgeon at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center — Horizon in Greenville, Pennsylvania and was instrumental in developing the Bariatric Surgery Program at that facility. Joining Hamot Medical Center in October of 2003, he started the Hamot Bariatric Surgery Center. He has performed more gastric bypass operations for weight reduction than any other surgeon in Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Dr. Arreola is a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the American College of Surgeons.
Amjad Ali, MD
Amjad Ali, MD
Co-Director of Bariatric Surgery
amjad.ali@hamot.org
Amjad Ali, M.D. is a board certified general surgeon with fellowship training in advanced laparoscopic surgery. His residency in general surgery was at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, located in Newark. Dr. Ali completed a research fellowship at the Endosurgery Center of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina and a clinical fellowship in advanced laparoscopic surgery at The Center for Videoendoscopic Surgery University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle.
Dr. Ali is a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, the American College of Surgeons and the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.
Tracy Langer
Tracy Langer
Office Manager
tracy.langer@hamot.org
“I started my job at Hamot Medical Center in 1993 as an office coordinator at an Internal Medicine office. I became a Business Manager in 1998. I was given the opportunity to join the Bariatric team as a Business Manager in January 2008. It has been a pleasure to work with such a dedicated team of people. Our patients are our number one priority and we will work together to help each patient meet their individual goals.”…Tracy
Heidi E. Gianaris
Heidi E. Gianaris
Bariatric Nutritionist
(814) 877-4983
heidi.gianaris@hamot.org
Heidi works with both the pre- and post-operative patients, discussing the importance of proper nutrition both before and after bariatric surgery. She performs nutritional evaluations on patients prior to surgery, explaining all aspects of the post-operative bariatric diet, including behavior modification, life-style and long-term dietary changes.
Working with the patients after surgery, Heidi helps them in understanding and following the post-operative bariatric diet. She is also involved in the bariatric support groups each month.
“I am very excited and proud to be a part of the Bariatric Program at Hamot Medical Center. It is a privilege for me to be able to help patients make the right dietary changes and provide them with nutritional support and guidance that will ultimately lead to a healthy lifestyle.”...Heidi
Fely Heibel, NRCMA
Fely Heibel, NRCMA
Medical Assistant
felicitas.heibel@hamot.org
"I am a graduate of Great Lakes Institute of Technology-Medical Careers, 2006. I worked at the Hamot Physician Network before joining Hamot Bariatric Surgery Center in May 2007. I am very proud to be part of such a great team.”...Feli
Shari Dodick
Shari Dodick
Medical Office Assistant
shari.dodick@hamot.org
"I am a graduate of McDowell High School and JH Thompson Academy. I am proud to be a part of Hamot Medical Center for the past five years. I have been employed in the medical field for the past fourteen years. Good communication and compassion are a few things I have obtained in my experiences. I look forward to working with the patients here at the Hamot Bariatric Surgery Center and providing them with positive, individual attention they deserve.”...Shari
Jennifer Holsopple, CMA
Jennifer Holsopple, CMA
Medical Assistant
Jennifer.holsopple@hamot.org
"I am a graduate of Erie Business Center and have been working for Hamot since 2005. I am very grateful to be working at an office with great people and patients."...Jennifer
Jackie Smith
Jackie Smith
Physician Assistant
jackie.smith@hamot.org
"I am a recent graduate of Gannon University and earned my Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Science with honors. I have been working with Dr. Ali and Dr. Arreola since July and I am pleased to be working with two terrific surgeons. They have taught me a lot about bariatric patients and I know that I will be able to give patients the compassion and care they deserve." ...Jackie
Lorinda Hull, LPN
Lorinda Hull, LPN
(814) 877-6619
lorinda.hull@hamot.org
"I obtained my LPN license in 2000 and am now proud to be the LPN that works with Dr. Ali. I joined the Hamot Bariatric team in February of 2008. I am excited to be able to assist you during this life changing journey. I am available via telephone or e-mail to answer any questions your may have prior to and after surgery. In addition, I am the facilitator at many of our Wednesday evening support groups where I am also available to answer your questions. I also review each chart for patients of Dr.Ali prior to submission to insurance companies for pre-certification. Once insurance authorization has been obtained, I work with Dr. Ali in the consent signing process and with the scheduling of your surgery. I am proud to be part of Hamot Bariatric Surgery team." ...Lori
Cassandra Barton
Cassandra Barton
Medical Office Assistant
cassandra.barton@hamot.org
"I am a recent graduate from Great Lakes Institute of Technology as a Medical Assistant. This is my first job in the medical field and so far I love it. This has been a great experience. I enjoy working with such great people and patients." ...Cassandra
Shirley Cochran
Shirley Cochran
Medical Office Assistant
shirley.cochran@hamot.org
"I graduated from the University of Cincinnati as a business teacher and I was trained as a medical assistant in Cincinnati. I started with Hamot Medical Center in 2008. I enjoy working with people — that is the reason I took the job — I get to use all my skills and have fun doing it"...Shirley
Therese Taylor, CRNP
Therese Taylor, CRNP
therese.taylor@hamot.org
"I have over 15 years experience as an RN and over 5 years experience as a nurse practitioner. I have worked in various settings and believe this helps me in working with our Bariatric patients. I truly enjoy being a part of the Bariatric team and having the privilege of helping our patients strive to achieve their best possible state of wellness."...Therese
