Clarian Bariatrics has also added two surgeons to its staff.

Press Release

August 14, 2009

CARMEL, Ind. – Exciting changes are in store for Clarian Bariatrics this month as the program announced the addition of two full-time surgeons and a move to a new 30,000 square foot outpatient clinic to better accommodate the rapidly growing program, which has experienced double digit growth the past three years.

Dr. Daniel T. McKenna joined the surgical team of Clarian Bariatrics, a designated Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), on August 10. Dr. McKenna joins the programs five other bariatric surgeons who completed nearly 400 surgeries at Clarian North Medical Center in 2008.

A Wisconsin native, McKenna comes to Clarian Bariatrics from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., where he completed his minimally invasive surgery fellowship. He is a graduate of Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and his Doctor of Medicine. McKenna was a categorical resident in general surgery at the University of Utah and the University of Wisconsin.

In April, Dr. Jack Ditslear joined the Clarian Bariatrics staff full-time after working on a part-time basis with the program since its launch in 2004. A Noblesville native, Dr. Ditslear graduated with honors in chemistry at Miami University of Ohio and then graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Dr. Ditslear carries a vast amount of experience in bariatric surgery. He is a member of the American Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeons, and is also accredited as a Bariatric Center of Excellence Surgeon by the Surgical Review Corporation. Additionally, Dr. Ditslear is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is on the teaching staff for the Indiana University General Surgery Residence program.

“We are thrilled to have Drs. McKenna and Ditslear join the surgery staff at Clarian Bariatrics on a full-time basis,” Jonathan Goble, FACHE, President & CEO of Clarian North Medical Center, said. “The addition of these two skilled surgeons will aid in the successful implementation of many exciting programs.”

Among those initiatives is the launch of a non-surgical division for the weight loss program and an adolescent bariatric program. In addition, an exercise program championed by Erin Light, a certified personal trainer, began in August and provides patients an educational approach to personally-tailored exercise programs. Also, William Hilgendorf, PhD, Manager of Bariatric Behavioral Health, has implemented a behavioral program that will increase the coping skills of post-operative patients and improve patient outcomes.

These new patient support opportunities fit with the already established and popular weekly support groups and quarterly cooking classes. Programs like these have led Clarian Bariatrics to be nationally recognized as a robust program that enjoys some of the best weight loss outcomes in effectiveness and durability.

Due to the ongoing program growth, the Clarian Bariatrics outpatient clinic will move in September from its current location in building 11 of Intech Park to a 30,000 square foot space in building 10 of Intech Park, located on the northwest side of Indianapolis. This move will provide staff with more exam rooms, dedicated exercise rooms and additional meeting space for support groups and the non-surgical weight loss program.

"The growth our program has experienced over the past five years has been remarkable and humbling," Samer Mattar, MD, FACS, Medical Director of Clarian Bariatrics, said. "Our staff, surgeons and patients have helped us create a unique program that is only beginning to reach its full potential."

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About Clarian Bariatrics

Offering a comprehensive and unique program that goes beyond the initial weight loss that patients experience, Clarian Bariatrics uses cooking classes that promote healthy meal preparation and puts significant focus on patient education and long-term follow up. Clarian Bariatrics works with each patient individually while also providing comprehensive physiologic, mental and nutritional evaluation and support. The program has been named an American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. The ASMBS Center of Excellence designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery. To learn more about Clarian Bariatrics, please visit www.ACallToChange.org.

About Clarian North Medical Center
Clarian North is a full-service hospital committed to providing exceptional care and service. With dedicated pavilions for women, children and specialty surgery, and an attached medical office building, Clarian North brings together physician offices, inpatient beds and operating rooms. All patient rooms are private, including neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, within the 700,000-square-foot, 170-patient bed facility. Clarian North Medical Center is part of Clarian Health, a system of hospitals and health centers throughout Indiana, which includes Methodist and Indiana University hospitals, Riley Hospital for Children, Clarian West Medical Center and Clarian Arnett Health.

Source: Clarian North Medical Center