We know the decision to have weight loss surgery can be overwhelming, but we want you to know that you don’t have to go it alone. Our staff works with each and every patient to provide valuable support and education before the procedure, and also takes care of their unique needs after the procedure. They offer an invaluable support system long after the weight has been lost. The staff at the UC Health Weight Loss Center is, first and foremost, dedicated to our patients and to providing effective weight loss and disease improvement through surgery. But what separates us from other programs is the pleasure we take in bringing a personal touch to what might otherwise be a daunting process for our patients. From our office manager, to our weight loss coordinator, insurance specialists, OR nurses and surgeons, we’re all here to ensure that our patients receive nothing but the best, most compassionate and highest quality care.
This pledge is backed by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, which awarded our program the prestigious Weight Loss Surgery Center of Excellence designation in recognition of our exceptional patient care and clinical success.
We’d like our patients to learn a little bit more about our key staff. Meet them below:
Dr. Brad Watkins, Bariatric & General Surgeon
Dr. Brad Watkins is the medical director of the UC Health Weight Loss Center and is a specialist in minimally invasive weight loss surgery techniques. Dr. Watkins has been in private practice since 1997 and has performed more than 1,000 weight loss procedures. Read more about Dr. Watkins, click here
Jim Woodrum, UC Health Business Administrator
Jim has an MBA with over 10 years of experience in administration and finance. On a daily basis, Jim helps make sure the practice runs efficiently in relation to both patient flow and fiscal matters. Jim assists patients or staff with any problems that may arise. “It’s great to see patients who achieve their goals and improve their health and happiness.”
Holly Carter, Patient Services Representative
Holly graduated high school in 1996 from West Liberty High School in West Liberty, Iowa. She achieved her Applied Arts Degree in 1998 from Muscatine Community College in Muscatine, Iowa. On a daily basis, Holly helps patients fill out forms and collects payments. Additionally, Holly answers the phones, schedules appointments, and makes sure all patient information is updated. Holly is one of the first people you interact with when you come in. She always welcomes patients with a smile. “I love watching our patients achieve their goals. I love how they inspire me, and ultimately just getting to know our patients is very rewarding!”
Diana Harris, Pre-cert Specialist
Diana worked in financing and customer service for over 15 years and also worked in insurance and financing for over 3 years. On a daily basis, Diana schedules surgeries, checks insurance benefits and explains the details to patients. Diana also assists the patients in obtaining documentation for insurance requirements. Additionally, Diana submits patient information to insurance companies for medical review for bariatric surgery and assists self-pay patients with financing options for surgery. “I love working and helping patients to succeed with their weight loss goals. Always try and maintain a positive attitude and reinforce that no matter who you are, you CAN do whatever you set your mind to.”
Kristina Arnold, Certified Bariatric Registered Nurse/Bariatric and Study Coordinator
Kristina worked as a hospital nurse for ten years and joined the UC Health Weight Loss team after her own Lap-Band surgery in 2006. Since then, Kristina has lost 105 pounds and has assisted thousands of patients with their own weight loss journeys. To date, Kristina has performed over 20,000 gastric band adjustments and has facilitated multiple studies pertaining to weight loss procedures. Kristina is extremely passionate about working in the bariatric field because she is a patient herself and personally understands what it is like to walk in the shoes of someone who struggles with their weight on a daily basis. Kristina feels very fortunate to assist patients in reaching that ultimate goal.
Kimberly Fricke, Bariatric Nurse
Kimberly assesses weight loss/gain, provides adjustments as needed, provides statistics on gastric placation surgery and banded plication patients, and updates patient information into the computer. Additionally, Kimberly answers any questions a patient may have, provides handouts, assists in helping patients reach their goals, and listens to them. “I love helping our patients figure out a way to reach their goals, helping them celebrate their accomplishments and helping the patients that are struggling to figure out the best way for them to reach their goals.”
Pamela Watkins, Bariatric Coordinator
Pamela graduated with a joint degree from UC College of Law. Her job is to coordinate the Hospital, Surgery Center and Surgeon’s practice to facilitate a smooth and excellent patient experience. Pamela looks for ways to improve the services and patient care both in the office and in the hospital or surgery center. Pamela is passionate about seeing patients change their lives in a positive way and seeing people improve their health. “Being able to partner with patients in their weight loss journey is the most fulfilling part of this job.”
Terri Freshley, Psychotherapist
Terri leads the U.C. Surgeons’ Support Group for weight loss surgery patients. Terri helps patients explore and challenge weight loss struggles in a supportive and respectful therapy environment. Terri is a psychotherapist with her own practice, and is also a successful post-operative gastric bypass patient. Terri enjoys sharing her success story with other patients. Terri is qualified to do pre-operative psychological evaluations, as well as post-operative therapy.
Kathy Haugen, Registered Dietitian
Kathy assists patients by teaching them about healthy diet and nutrition in order to maximize their success in their weight loss journey. Her goal is to help patients realize that eating well can be a pleasant experience that also has a positive impact on their health and well-being. Kathy helps formulate nutrition plans based on patients’ individual diet history, health concerns and weight goals. Kathy has a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Cincinnati and has experience in both hospital-based and private practice settings.
Tonya Askren, Counselor
Tonya is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 9 years of counseling experience in a variety of different fields, working with both children and adults. Tonya has been with UC Health Weight Loss for three years. On a daily basis, Tonya does all the pre/post bariatric surgery counseling and leads the Support Groups. Tonya enjoys utilizing her personal experience as a band patient with her professional background in order to prepare, encourage, and support patients in their weight loss journey.
Meet the Staff
We know the decision to have weight loss surgery can be overwhelming, but we want you to know that you don’t have to go it alone. Our staff works with each and every patient to provide valuable support and education before the procedure, and also takes care of their unique needs after the procedure. They offer an invaluable support system long after the weight has been lost. The staff at the UC Health Weight Loss Center is, first and foremost, dedicated to our patients and to providing effective weight loss and disease improvement through surgery. But what separates us from other programs is the pleasure we take in bringing a personal touch to what might otherwise be a daunting process for our patients. From our office manager, to our weight loss coordinator, insurance specialists, OR nurses and surgeons, we’re all here to ensure that our patients receive nothing but the best, most compassionate and highest quality care.
This pledge is backed by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, which awarded our program the prestigious Weight Loss Surgery Center of Excellence designation in recognition of our exceptional patient care and clinical success.
We’d like our patients to learn a little bit more about our key staff. Meet them below:
Dr. Brad Watkins is the medical director of the UC Health Weight Loss Center and is a specialist in minimally invasive weight loss surgery techniques. Dr. Watkins has been in private practice since 1997 and has performed more than 1,000 weight loss procedures. Read more about Dr. Watkins, click here
Jim has an MBA with over 10 years of experience in administration and finance. On a daily basis, Jim helps make sure the practice runs efficiently in relation to both patient flow and fiscal matters. Jim assists patients or staff with any problems that may arise. “It’s great to see patients who achieve their goals and improve their health and happiness.”
Holly graduated high school in 1996 from West Liberty High School in West Liberty, Iowa. She achieved her Applied Arts Degree in 1998 from Muscatine Community College in Muscatine, Iowa. On a daily basis, Holly helps patients fill out forms and collects payments. Additionally, Holly answers the phones, schedules appointments, and makes sure all patient information is updated. Holly is one of the first people you interact with when you come in. She always welcomes patients with a smile. “I love watching our patients achieve their goals. I love how they inspire me, and ultimately just getting to know our patients is very rewarding!”
Diana Harris, Pre-cert Specialist
Diana worked in financing and customer service for over 15 years and also worked in insurance and financing for over 3 years. On a daily basis, Diana schedules surgeries, checks insurance benefits and explains the details to patients. Diana also assists the patients in obtaining documentation for insurance requirements. Additionally, Diana submits patient information to insurance companies for medical review for bariatric surgery and assists self-pay patients with financing options for surgery. “I love working and helping patients to succeed with their weight loss goals. Always try and maintain a positive attitude and reinforce that no matter who you are, you CAN do whatever you set your mind to.”
Kristina worked as a hospital nurse for ten years and joined the UC Health Weight Loss team after her own Lap-Band surgery in 2006. Since then, Kristina has lost 105 pounds and has assisted thousands of patients with their own weight loss journeys. To date, Kristina has performed over 20,000 gastric band adjustments and has facilitated multiple studies pertaining to weight loss procedures. Kristina is extremely passionate about working in the bariatric field because she is a patient herself and personally understands what it is like to walk in the shoes of someone who struggles with their weight on a daily basis. Kristina feels very fortunate to assist patients in reaching that ultimate goal.
Kimberly assesses weight loss/gain, provides adjustments as needed, provides statistics on gastric placation surgery and banded plication patients, and updates patient information into the computer. Additionally, Kimberly answers any questions a patient may have, provides handouts, assists in helping patients reach their goals, and listens to them. “I love helping our patients figure out a way to reach their goals, helping them celebrate their accomplishments and helping the patients that are struggling to figure out the best way for them to reach their goals.”
Pamela graduated with a joint degree from UC College of Law. Her job is to coordinate the Hospital, Surgery Center and Surgeon’s practice to facilitate a smooth and excellent patient experience. Pamela looks for ways to improve the services and patient care both in the office and in the hospital or surgery center. Pamela is passionate about seeing patients change their lives in a positive way and seeing people improve their health. “Being able to partner with patients in their weight loss journey is the most fulfilling part of this job.”
Terri leads the U.C. Surgeons’ Support Group for weight loss surgery patients. Terri helps patients explore and challenge weight loss struggles in a supportive and respectful therapy environment. Terri is a psychotherapist with her own practice, and is also a successful post-operative gastric bypass patient. Terri enjoys sharing her success story with other patients. Terri is qualified to do pre-operative psychological evaluations, as well as post-operative therapy.
Kathy Haugen, Registered Dietitian
Kathy assists patients by teaching them about healthy diet and nutrition in order to maximize their success in their weight loss journey. Her goal is to help patients realize that eating well can be a pleasant experience that also has a positive impact on their health and well-being. Kathy helps formulate nutrition plans based on patients’ individual diet history, health concerns and weight goals. Kathy has a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Cincinnati and has experience in both hospital-based and private practice settings.
Tonya is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 9 years of counseling experience in a variety of different fields, working with both children and adults. Tonya has been with UC Health Weight Loss for three years. On a daily basis, Tonya does all the pre/post bariatric surgery counseling and leads the Support Groups. Tonya enjoys utilizing her personal experience as a band patient with her professional background in order to prepare, encourage, and support patients in their weight loss journey.