Get to Know Us
In addition to having your surgery at of one of America’s Best Hospitals US News & World Report 2004-2008 and one of America’s Safest Hospitals (Forbes.com 2009), you will also have the most dedicated and highly qualified bariatric team on your side. Starting with our surgeons, Sarasota Memorial offers a level of expertise in the specialized field of bariatric surgery like no other program in the region.
T. Patrick Fitzgerald MD founded Sarasota Memorial’s Comprehensive Bariatric Program in 2004, and has performed over 150 bariatric procedures to date. He specializes in the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgical procedure. Dr. Fitzgerald received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and was trained in General Surgery at the Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA. He is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery, a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, and a fellow of the American College of Surgery. Dr. Fitzgerald received his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia and his Masters at the University of Florida. A graduate of Sarasota High School, he is a long-time resident of the community who is dedicated to Sarasota Memorial and its comprehensive Bariatrics program. Dr. Fitzgerald is committed to helping patients recover well beyond surgery to overcome their battles with obesity and achieve their long-term health goals.
Scott Stevens MD joined the Comprehensive Bariatrics program at Sarasota Memorial in 2007. A board-certified general surgeon, he specializes in adjustable gastric band surgery. He earned his medical degree from the University of Miami, and completed his surgical training at the Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR. He is a member of the Amercian Society of Bariatric Surgery, a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Stevens received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and is in fact, a Sarasota native. As part of Sarasota Memorial’s Bariatric team, he continues to help more and more patients experience long-term weight-loss success with Lap-Band® and REALIZE® adjustable gastric band surgeries.
John Nora MD also joined the Comprehensive Bariatric program in May 2007. He earned his medical degree at Northwestern University, including an extern rotation at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Scotland. He trained extensively at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, completing his internship and residency there. He also completed a Critical Care Fellowship at the University of British Columbia and a Vascular Surgery Fellowship at the University of Florida. He received his Bachelor’s degree at Washington University, St. Louis, MO.
A board-certified general surgeon with extensive training in critical care and vascular surgery, Dr. Nora specializes in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. He enjoys seeing his surgical expertise culminate in healthier patients who continue through Sarasota Memorial’s comprehensive program to reduce their co-morbidities conditions and get their lives back.
Other integral members of Sarasota Memorial’s Bariatric team include: