Stamford Hospital's Center for Surgical Weight Loss Welcomes News Staff Members

Stamford Hospital’s Center for Surgical Weight Loss is recognized for its uniquely comprehensive approach to patient care, and offers each patient access to an extraordinary breadth of expertise among many medical fields and support disciplines. The Center has recently enhanced its interdisciplinary team of weight management specialists with the addition of Christine Megan, Ph.D., RN, Bariatric Psychologist, and Karen Heck, Patient Navigator and Medical Assistant.

A licensed clinical health psychologist, Dr. Megan provides pre-surgical psychological evaluations for bariatric surgery candidates, cognitive behavioral therapy for pre- and post-surgical patients and runs bariatric support and educational groups. She specializes in the use of evidence-based approaches in the treatment of eating and weight disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, addictive behaviors and other health-related issues.

Dr. Megan holds a bachelor’s degree from New York University, and a master’s degree in organizational psychology and a master’s degree in clinical health psychology from Columbia University and Yeshiva University, respectively.

Karen Heck has been named Patient Navigator and Medical Assistant at the Center for Surgical Weight Loss. Her responsibilities include providing assistance and guidance to patients during the preoperative evaluation process helping them to schedule testing, obtain documents and arrange consultations and appointments. As a medical assistant, Karen assists in organizing patient flow, taking vital signs and weight and aiding in the educational process regarding bariatric surgery.

Prior to joining the Stamford Hospital team, Heck was a long-time therapeutic massage therapist. This experience allows her to provide bariatric surgery patients with an integrative care approach enhanced by her expertise of the body

Stamford Hospital’s Center for Surgical Weight Loss, which celebrated its one-year anniversary in 2011, is unique in that it encompasses an onsite interdisciplinary team of experts in the field of weight loss who provide a comprehensive approach to patient-centered care. Patients have lifelong access to the entire team, ensuring continuity of care and long-term success in weight management from pre-operation through guidance of lifestyle changes after treatment.

For more information, please visit www.stamfordhospital.org/bariatrics.