Meet the Staff

Jessie Ahroni, PhD, ARNP, clinical coordinator

In addition to being a family nurse practitioner, Dr Ahroni is a certified baratric nurse, a certified diabetes educator and board certified in advanced diabetes management. She has had an adjustable gastric band since 1998 and specializes in helping people make behavior and lifestyle changes after weight loss surgery. Her book Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding is a great resource.

Linda Ayers, MN, ARNP

Linda has been a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for over 30 years and has had an adjustable gastric band since October 2000. She does both pre-surgery psychiatric evaluations as well as on-going counseling for banded patients.

Audrey Wilde BSN, RNC

My background is 22 years in Infant Intensive Care nursing, pediatric cardiac intensive care, and critical care infant ground transport. I was banded in July, 2003, and to date have lost 143 pounds.  I had struggled with obesity since my early teens and understood how totally consuming was this battle to lose weight.  With my success, and the passion I have always had to help others, making the move to NWWLS seemed a natural fit. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch others find the hope and freedom that comes with finally winning!

DeAnna Wendorff RN

I have been a Registered Nurse for over 23 years, working in both inpatient and outpatient settings.   I have several years of experience in ambulatory surgery and oncology nursing.  I joined the NWWLS team in 2007.

Since childhood, I have struggled with my own obesity.  I can remember dieting as early as age 8 and throughout my life until age 45, when I received my adjustable gastric band.  I was banded in 2007 at Northwest Weight Loss Surgery and have lost 90 pounds since that time.  My weight loss journey has affected every aspect of my life, both personally and professionally.  As a bariatric nurse and patient, I am committed to helping others achieve their weight loss goals.

Esther Coffee   RN

I have been a Registered Nurse for 24 years. Since having lapband surgery in 2005 my type two diabetes has gone into remission, I have more energy and feel like this surgery saved my health. Joining the team at Northwest Weight Loss Surgery has given me an opportunity to share my personal success and support patients with their weight loss journey.

Vickie Galloway  RN

I have been an RN for the past 40 years graduating from St. Cabrini Hospital School of Nursing in 1968. Most of my career has been spent in the hospital/surgical setting. I came to NWWLS shortly after having the Lap-Band 2 years ago. It has been a wonderful experience being both a patient and an employee. I certainly can relate to all the people I care for because I have been there, struggling with weight issues my entire life. Having the Lap-Band was the best gift I have ever given to myself. Losing 95 pounds over the past 2 years was nothing short of a miracle. But the real miracle is being able to keep the weight off! I am so lucky to be able to pass my success on and encourage others on their journey.

Insurance Coordinators

Trish Whitney CMA (left) & Melissa Smart (right) Obtaining insurance authorization for weight loss surgery can be frustrating and time consuming. Our insurance coordinators will assist you with insurance authorization, as well as coordinating and pre-operative testing that may be requested. Once you have been cleared for surgery Trish or Melissa will help you to select and schedule your surgery date.

Surgery Center Staff

(Back Row)

Tammy Besel RN, Heidi Carter RN, Steve Skalicky CST, Lawna Haigh RN CAPA

(Front Row)

Stefany Spencer NAC, Heidi Hanscom NAC

Operating Room Nurses

Kathy Winks RN, CNOR, RNFA

Gaia Lukevich RN, BSN,CNOR,RNFA

Pat Paulson, RN, Administrator

Pat has over 30 years experience in healthcare, from Operating Room nursing to operations and development of Ambulatory Surgery Centers. She held positions of Administrator for a multispecialty surgery center, Regional Vice President for Surgical Care Affiliates/HealthSouth and as an independent consultant. Pat presently manages Northwest Weight Loss Surgery.