Emory Bariatric Center at Midtown

Dr. Lin has been the Surgical Director of the Emory Bariatric Center since 2006, seeing the Center through its second decade. Dr. Lin is Chief of Gastrointestinal & General Surgery and Professor of Surgery at Emory University. His expertise in this field has taken him to operate rooms in South America and in the Middle East. Dr. Lin has published extensively in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, diabetes resolution following weight loss surgery, and nutrition. Dr. Lin has worked with InTailor Surgical and is a patent holder for an endoscopic suturing device and studies its application in bariatrics. Dr. Lin is on the editorial board of Bariatric Times, Journal of Laparoscopic and Advanced Surgical Techniques, and serves as an Associate Editor of the highly regarded journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases as well as Editor-in-Chief of Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care.

Dr. S. Scott Davis, Jr. is a Professor of Surgery in the Division of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery in Emory University Department of Surgery. He is also Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for the Department. He specializes in advanced laparoscopy and GI surgery, and is the Director for the Minimally Invasive Surgery fellowship in the Emory Endosurgery Unit, one of the longest standing fellowships in the country. The principle focus of his practice is hernia repair, foregut surgery, and bariatric surgery. Dr. Davis has authored more than 70 peer reviewed articles and numerous abstracts and video presentations. He is a member of multiple societies, including SAGES, ACS, SSAT, ASBMS and SESC. He serves on several committees for National Societies, most notably the SAGES Education Council, and Chairing the SAGES Publications Committee since 2015.

He is Editor-in-Chief of Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy and Percutaneous Techniques, and is the Foregut Section Editor for Surgical Endoscopy. He also serves on the Editorial Board for Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. In 2018, he was Co-Editor of the Sages Manual of Hernia Repair, the most comprehensive text currently covering modern hernia repair techniques. At Emory, he serves as the CoMedical Director of Perioperative Services for Emory University Hospital which includes the operating rooms, endoscopy suites, and all perioperative areas.

Dr. Patel is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Emory University and the Chief of Surgery at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital. He is an Atlanta native and completed his entire college and medical training at Emory University. A ‘techie’ by nature, he is a leader in the use of robotics in surgery focusing on its efficiencies, cost containment, and most importantly, teaching the next generation of surgeons. As the chair of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Robotic Committee, he has developed national training curriculums and is the editor of The SAGES Manual of Robotic Surgery. He is a national leader in robotic bariatric surgery and an active member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Locally, as an active member of the Georgia Chapters of the American College of Surgeons and ASMBS, he is an advocate for promoting bariatrics and improvement of surgical care across the state.

After completing her general surgery residency at Emory in 2006, Dr. Srinivasan joined our faculty. Her academic educational focus has been based in simulation as a means of improving technical skills in the operating room, and this expertise resulted in her appointment as Associate Program Director of the Emory General Surgery Residency from 2015-2020. In that role, she integrated a small group simulation training model into the resident curriculum as a personalized method of teaching technical skills that provided trainees with close-loop, specific feedback for skills acquisition. In 2020, she assumed the role of Program Director of the Emory General Surgery Residency.

She has been repeatedly awarded with institutional honors for her teaching skills (three junior resident teaching awards, the Amerson teaching award, and Dean's Teaching Award) as well as nationally by the Association for Surgical Education as the Phillip J. Wolfson Outstanding Teacher. Dr. Srinivasan’s clinical practice focuses on the surgical treatment of obesity and the surgical care of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. She has been a member of the Emory Endosurgery Division for her entire tenure at Emory, and has extended her priority on education to bariatric seminars and video education. She has been the Surgical Director of the Emory Crohn’s and Colitis Center since 2010, and continues to provide educational seminars for patients suffering from IBD institutionally as well as regionally through lectures with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Her clinical work also has extended to the surgical care of international patients via the Emory Global Perioperative Alliance. Her focus on the education of medical students and surgical residents is rooted in providing the larger population with the best surgical care possible via the meticulous education of future generations of medical professionals.

Dr. Stetler was raised in Atlanta. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Vanderbilt University in 2005, he attended Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where he received his MD in 2009. He completed his general surgery residency and minimally invasive surgery fellowship at Emory, which focused on advanced laparoscopic/robotic and bariatric techniques. Dr. Stetler is a faculty member of the Division of General and GI surgery and is the Surgical Director of Bariatrics at Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital.

Dr. Hechenbleikner is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Emory University. She received her MD from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine followed by general surgery residency at Georgetown University Hospital; a surgical research fellowship at Johns Hopkins, during which she conducted studies related to colon cancer and completed a resident scholarship in patient safety and quality; and a laparoscopic and advanced gastrointestinal surgery fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. She specializes in advanced minimally invasive GI tract procedures in General and bariatric surgery and was named director of the Bariatric Center at Emory University Hospital Midtown (EUHM) in 2020. She was named the Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Director at EUHM in 2021. She is actively involved in multiple research and quality improvement (QI) projects for metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) patients. She is the Principal Investigator of a randomized controlled trial evaluating outcomes using endoscopic vs. suction calibration system techniques for performing sleeve gastrectomy. Her QI projects have involved the impact inpatient pharmacists on discharge medication reconciliation processes as well as implementation of standardized perioperative enhanced recovery and VTE prophylaxis protocols. Her QI work in MBS patients has been awarded 1st place at the Georgia Hospital Association Patient Safety & Quality Summit for 2021 and 2022 as well as 2nd place for 2023 (Hospitals over 300 Beds category). She is an active member of SAGES and ASMBS and serves as the chair of the GA ASMBS education committee.

Dr. Mobola Oyefule is a surgeon and an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Emory University School of Medicine. After obtaining her undergraduate degree at American University in Washington DC, she received her medical degree at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, TN. She is a board-certified surgeon who completed her general surgery training at Cleveland Clinic, Florida. In addition to general surgery, Dr. Oyefule completed a fellowship in minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery focusing on bariatric, endocrine, and hepatopancreatobiliary surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She has published several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and currently serves on the editorial board of Surgical Endoscopy and Surgical Laparoscopy Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques. She is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and also serves on various committees within the Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, including the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery committee. Dr. Oyefule enjoys travelling, spending time with friends and family and reading nonfiction in her spare time.

Colin Johnson was born in Atlanta and educated at Emory University for his undergraduate degree before moving to South Carolina where he attended the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to receive his Masters in Physician Assistant Sciences. He spent his early PA career in general and trauma surgery in Chicago where he assisted in bariatric surgeries and quickly learned that the outpatient setting was where his heart belonged. After starting at the Emory Bariatric Clinic in 2017, he was introduced to the practice of Lifestyle Medicine which now predominates his approach to health whether a person is seeking bariatric surgery or medical weight loss. He strives to work with patients to address their challenges and formulate plans with or without the help of medications in order attain a better state of health.

Colin and his wife have three kids and you might find them taking a hike in a park near you or riding their bikes along whatever safe path they can find.

Holley Nash, RDN, LD, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Holley relocated to Atlanta, GA, to complete Emory University Hospital’s highly competitive Dietetic Internship.

Holley’s passion and professional focus are on helping people overcome barriers to good health and proper nutrition through supportive counseling and nutrition education. Holley has successfully completed both the Certificate of Training in Obesity Interventions for Adults and the Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management through the Commission for Dietetic Registration. In addition to her extensive training in nutrition therapies, Holley has over twenty years of professional culinary experience, which she uses to help her clients understand and navigate the complexities of planning and preparing balanced meals for themselves and their families. Holley has a passion for simple, fresh, nutritious food and is a dedicated advocate in supporting individuals on their journey to optimal health.

Huda Hayyeh was born and raised in Kansas City, MO, where she also completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri. Huda later relocated to Boston, MA, where she attended MCPHS University and received her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies. In 2018, Huda moved to Atlanta and began her career as a Physician Assistant working in Bariatrics. Since then, Huda has developed a strong passion for helping patients achieve long-term success in their pursuit of improved health.

Her experience treating a diverse range of patients allows her to individualize the care she gives both pre-and post-bariatric surgery with an emphasis on overall improved quality of life. Huda enjoys getting to know her patients and working collaboratively with them to work towards a common goal.