Jeffrey W. Sullivan, LPC CBC

Jeffrey W. Sullivan, a Licensed Professional Counselor from Dallas, TX, has been awarded National Board Certification by the American Association of Bariatric Counselors (AABC). After completing a specialized training and education program in bariatric science he was recently credentialed as a Board Certified Bariatric Counselor (CBC).

Mr. Sullivan received his Master’s degree in Counseling from Southern Methodist University. He practices at Innovation360 located in Dallas, TX, a mental health clinic specializing in substance abuse, complex psychiatric cases, and emerging adult issues. Jeff’s specialty is long-term weight maintenance. His interest in bariatric science stems both from recognition of the need for more specialists in the field as well as from his own personal life experience. He sees clients both individually and in group settings.

Jeff approaches clients from an integrated body-mind-spirit perspective and uses a variety of counseling strategies from cognitive to educational to assist them in reaching their goals. Those goals may be weight loss surgery or personalized dietary weight management or just to navigate life better, regardless of weight-related issues. His goal is always to help clients achieve wellness. He defines wellness as “not just the absence of illness but rather the presence of wellbeing…mind, body and spirit”.

To provide the most current techniques and best clinical practices in bariatric science, he recently completed a fellowship with the American Association of Bariatric Counselors and has been credentialed as a Certified Bariatric Counselor (CBC). His scholarship, professional acumen and commitment to public health will further the AABC global mission of providing best practices in the care, treatment and prevention of obesity and related disorders.

For more information, please contact Carrie Moraites, Fellows Coordinator:
Email: carrie.moraites@aabc-certification.org
Website: www.aabc-certification.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aabcorg

Robert Wheeler, MA, LMHC, Awarded National Bariatric Board Certification

Robert Wheeler, MA, LMHC, CBC

Robert Wheeler, MA, LMHC, a licensed Mental Health Counselor from Washington State, has been awarded National Board Certification by the American Association of Bariatric Counselors (AABC). After completing a specialized training and education program in bariatric science he was recently credentialed as a Board Certified Bariatric Counselor (CBC).

Mr. Wheeler has been practicing in community mental health for over 25 years. In addition to his licensure as a Mental Health Counselor he is also certified as a Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider. As an educator he has spent a good deal of time as a professor teaching psychology and human services. He has recently opened a private practice in Tacoma, WA, specializing in bariatric counseling.

Mr. Wheeler combines his passion for mental health treatment with his commitment and dedication to bariatric counseling and the wellbeing of the patients he serves. To provide the most current techniques and best clinical practices in bariatric science, he recently completed a fellowship with the American Association of Bariatric Counselors and has been credentialed as a Certified Bariatric Counselor (CBC). His scholarship, professional acumen and commitment to public health will further the AABC global mission of providing best practices in the care, treatment and prevention of obesity and related disorders.

For more information, please contact Carrie Moraites, Fellows Coordinator:
Email: carrie.moraites@aabc-certification.org

Website: www.aabc-certification.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aabcorg

Lucrezia Scarampi, MS, RD CBC

Lucrezia Scarampi, MS, RD a Bariatric Dietitian from Southampton, NY, has been awarded National Board Certification by the American Association of Bariatric Counselors (AABC). After completing a specialized training and education program in bariatric science she was recently credentialed as a Board Certified Bariatric Counselor (CBC).

Ms. Scarampi received her Master’s degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and completed a specialized dietetic internship through Stony Brook University. She is the Bariatric Dietitian and an integral member of the surgical team at the Center for Advanced Surgery in Bronx and Bronxville, NY. Recognizing her excellence in healthcare, the Suffolk County Department of Health awarded her with a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service. Her Fluency in English, Spanish and Italian, helps her effectively serve a culturally diverse patient population.

Lucrezia combines her passion for food and nutrition with her commitment and dedication to bariatric counseling and the wellbeing of the patients she serves. To provide the most current techniques and best clinical practices in bariatric science, she recently completed a fellowship with the American Association of Bariatric Counselors and has been credentialed as a Certified Bariatric Counselor (CBC). Her scholarship, professional acumen and commitment to public health will further the AABC global mission of providing best practices in the care, treatment and prevention of obesity and related disorders.

For more information, please contact Carrie Moraites, Fellows Coordinator:
Email: carrie.moraites@aabc-certification.org

Website: www.aabc-certification.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aabcorg

Amy Lukin, MS, RD, CBC

Amy Lukin, MS, RD, CBC, a registered dietitian, licensed in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC, has been awarded National Board Certification by the American Association of Bariatric Counselors (AABC). After completing a specialized fellowship training and education program in bariatric science she was recently credentialed as a Board Certified Bariatric Counselor (CBC).

Ms. Lukin currently serves as site manager and clinical dietitian/nutritionist at Unity Health Care in Washington, D.C. The federally funded program provides nutrition education and nutrition supplementation for women, infants and children. Lesson plan curricula that she developed, targets childhood obesity and has been adopted by Department of Health and is available throughout D.C.

She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences at Penn State University, her Master’s Degree in Nutrition at College of Saint Elizabeth in NJ and completed a specialized dietetic internship at Lehman College in New York City. In addition, the Commission of Dietetic Registration awarded her a Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management.

Recognition of the obesity pandemic and the need for specialized competency in bariatric science was the impetus for her post-graduate fellowship and certification with AABC. Her clinical experience with adults and children, scholarship and commitment to public health will further the AABC global mission of providing best practices in the care and treatment of those suffering from obesity and related disorders.

For more information, please contact Carrie Moraites, Fellows Coordinator:
Email: carrie.moraites@aabc-certification.org
Website: www.aabc-certification.org 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aabcorg

Ayana Gates, PA-C, CBC

Ayana Gates, PA-C, a Licensed / Certified Physician Assistant from Edinburg, Texas has been awarded National Board Certification by the American Association of Bariatric Counselors (AABC). After completing a specialized training and education program in bariatric science she was recently credentialed as a Board Certified Bariatric Counselor (CBC).

Currently at South Texas Heath System in McAllen, TX, she provides comprehensive care and treatment for hospitalized cardiac patients. At AYANA Mind Body Lifestyle, in Edinburg, TX, she performs personalized Functional Medicine consultations and treatments, implements corporate wellness programs and designs, and teaches Pilates and Barre fitness classes.

Ms. Gates received her Masters of Physician Assistant degree from the University of Texas and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Fitness and Wellness Management.

Her pursuit of life-long learning, recognition of the obesity pandemic and the need for specialized training in bariatric medicine led to her fellowship with AABC. Her unique scholarship and commitment to health and fitness will further the AABC global mission of providing best practices in the care, treatment and prevention of obesity and related disorders.

For more information, please contact Carrie Moraites, Fellows Coordinator:

Email: carrie.moraites@aabc-certification.org
Website: www.aabc-certification.org