Center for the Treatment of Obesity

Weight Loss Surgery

About Our Team

Medical Options

Success Stories

Clinical Trials

The Center for the Treatment of Obesity offers a multi-disciplinary team approach to weight loss. We believe that a strong support system both before and after your surgery is vital for successful weight loss and continuing good health.

Physicians

• Dr. Santiago Horgan - Director, Center for the Treatment of Obesity
  Dr. Horgan  is a leading bariatric surgeon in the field of minimally invasive surgery and was among the first surgeons to be trained in the use of the LAP BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System and the Realize Band. Since then, he has aquired considerable experience in other weight loss surgical procedures including sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.
• Garth Jacobsen, M.D. - Surgeon
  Dr. Jacobsen is Dr. Horgan's partner in the Center for Treatment of Obesity. After receiving his surgical training at the University of Illinois, Chicago, he completed a minimally invasive and bariatric surgery fellowship at UCSD. A specialist in gastric banding, Dr. Jacobsen has trained with Dr. Horgan for the past 12 years and was closely involved with the FDA trials for approval of the LAP BAND System. He also instructs other physicians in the ROSE procedure for revision of gastric bypass.
• Eduardo Grunvald, M.D. - Internist
  As the team's internist, Dr. Grunvald is responsible for assessing bariatric surgery patients before surgery and evaluating co-morbidities that may exist. Dr. Grunvald also coordinates care with primary care providers and assists patients with post-operative medication adjustments and medical follow-up.
• Dr. William Perry - Psychologist
  Dr. Perry is the Chief Supervising Psychologist at UCSD Medical Center and has worked extensively in the psychological assessment of candidates for bariatric procedures and is an integral member of the CTO team.
• Dr. Delia Silva - Post-Doctoral Scholar
  Dr. Silva  is a neuropsychology post-doctoral scholar at UCSD Medical Center. As part of the psychiatry team at the CTO, she conducts pre-surgical evaluations as well group therapy for bariatric patients.

Support Team

• Mary Kirk, C.N.P. - Administrative Nurse Manager
  Mary is a Certified Nurse Practitioner. Her responsibilities at the Center for Treatment of Obesity include program planning, development and quality assurance; patient evaluations and follow-up, including diabetes management and medication adjustment; surgery-related presentations for physicians, staff and patients; and assisting with general surgery.
• Christina Chickering - Program Administrator
  Christina schedules all surgeries and manages clinical trials, research and clinical fellowships. In addition, she works closely with patients on obtaining insurance authorizations, submitting and tracking all requests and keeping up with the policies and requirements of each insurance provider. 
• Jill Jarrett, MS, RD – Registered Dietitian
  Jill is the CTO Dietitian, working with patients to help them through the pre-op and post-op phases of diet and meal planning, as well as providing tips for healthy eating to maximize patients' success.
• Natalie Cook - Patient Advocate
  Natalie received the lap band in 2003, lost 100 pounds, and has successfully kept the weight off.  As the Patient Advocate for CTO, she helps educate patients about the entire weight loss surgery process. She is passionate about helping patients understand every step as they embark on this life-changing experience and is committed to providing ongoing support after the procedure.
• Catherine Dooley - Administrative Assistant
  Catherine is the "voice" of the Center for the Treatment of Obesity -- the first person people talk to when they call. In addition to scheduling consultations and appointments, Catherine is always happy to answer questions and obtain additional information for callers. 

Please join us for a free seminar about your surgical weight loss options.