Our team

Medical Director—Robert Richard, MD, FACS

Robert Richard, MD, FACS, is a board-certified surgeon who has performed bariatric surgical procedures for more than a decade and dedicates more than 80 percent of his practice to this one disease.

Dr. Richard attended Cornell University and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He fulfilled his surgical, laparoscopic and bariatric training at Harvard University's prestigious Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Download a PDF of Dr. Richard's curriculum vitae to learn more.

Program Manager—Debra Proulx, RN, BHS, MBA

Debra works collaboratively with the surgeons, associates, physician extenders, patients and the community to coordinate all services and education for the bariatric program. Debra graduated from Palm Beach Community College School of Nursing and has more than 28 years of nursing experience. She has an extensive background in bariatrics. She received her bachelor of health services degree from Florida Atlantic University in southeast Florida and recently completed her master's degree in business administration from Brenau University.

Registered Dietician—Cris Hartley, RD, LD, CDE

Cris is the manager of the Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center at Gwinnett Medical Center. Her team of registered dietitians helps patients achieve safe and successful weight loss and develop behaviors that support long-term healthy lifestyles. Cris has a bachelor of science degree from Georgia State University and is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. She brings 21 years of experience in obesity management and diabetes education to the Center for Weight Management at Gwinnett Medical Center–Duluth.

Office Coordinator—Niki Ozbolt 

As our front office coordinator, Niki is the first point of contact for every patient at the Center for Surgical Weight Management at Gwinnett Medical Center–Duluth. Aside from coordinating appointments and surgery times, Niki works closely with our patients and their families to help answer any questions that may arise. Niki is also the patients' advocate in helping to obtain insurance approval for surgery. Niki brings 18 years of experience in the medical field to our program and is an excellent guide for our patients, assisting them through each step of the program and on to a healthier life.

Psychologist—Steven Walfish

Steve is a licensed psychologist who specializes in working with bariatric surgery patients. He has completed more than 2,000 psychological evaluations of weight loss surgery candidates. In addition to his clinical practice, he has published articles on weight loss surgery in professional journals such as Obesity Surgery, Surgery for Obesity and Other Related Disorders, and Bariatric Nursing and Surgery Journal, as well as a publication for patients, Obesity Help Magazine. He has previously taught as a visiting professor at Kennesaw State University and Georgia State University and is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Emory University School of Medicine.

Exercise Specialist—Edward Gilbert, MS, CSCS

Edward is the coordinator of the Feel in Tune (FIT) program at Gwinnett SportsRehab's clinics in Lawrenceville and Duluth. Edward is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a strength and conditioning specialist. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education. He earned his master's degree in exercise science from Georgia Southern University. Edward has taught health, physical education and conditioning, and he has coached at the elementary, secondary and collegiate levels. He has worked in hospital-based fitness programs for more than 15 years.

Nurse Clinician-Amy Smith, RN, BSN, ONC

Amy works closely with patients and family members through all stages of their weight loss journey. She sees them in the office for their initial consultation, over sees their care in the hospital before and after surgery, and follows their progress after surgery in the office as well. She also assists in the education of the staff that care for our patients in the hospital setting. Amy has worked for the hospital system for 13 years caring for patients on the Medical-Surgical floors and in the Operating Room. Amy attended nursing school at North Georgia College and University and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Kennesaw State University.

Nurse Clinician-Aileen Jackson, RN, BSN

Aileen Jackson assists Amy Smith, RN, in caring for our patients. She helps them through every part of their journey, from initial consultation to surgery and beyond. Aileen has nine years of nursing experience and has worked as a charge/staff nurse assisting in the care of Gwinnett’s bariatric patients. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Georgia Southern University.

Program Support Coordinator-Roxanne Turturro, LCSW

Roxanne is our Program Support Coordinator. She works closely with patients to overcome eating behaviors and lifestyle patterns interfering with optimal weight loss success pre- and post-operatively. Roxanne offers support and education through support groups, individual and group education, as well as through the “Freedom From Emotional Eating” Workshop offered twice a year. She received her bachelor and master degrees in social work from Syracuse University, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has 16 years of clinical social work practice in diverse settings with 5 of those years working closely with bariatric patients.

Financial Coordinator-Erin Thompson, CFC

As a Financial Coordinator, Erin serves as a liaison between the patient and insurance company. Erin works closely with insurance companies to obtain benefit information and approval for bariatric surgery. Erin is a certified financial counselor and provides comprehensive assistance in planning/obtaining financing for surgery. She will help answer any financial questions and is a useful resource for patients and their families.

For more information, please call 678-312-6200, or complete the online form, and someone will contact you.