Our Team

Dr. William Graber and Dr. Matthew Fitzer, and their talented team of healthcare professionals, have completed more than 1,400 weight-loss surgeries at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare.

Throughout your surgery, you will work not only with your surgeon, but our entire team of caring, helpful weight-loss surgery professionals, including a bariatric coordinator, social workers, registered nurses, physical and occupational therapists, pharmacists, registered dietitians, physician assistants, patient educators, and insurance specialists. Your primary care physician is also considered a key member of our team.

We invite you to get to know the all the members of our Bariatric Surgery Program group.

William A. Graber, MD Dr. Graber holds a bachelor's degree from Haverford College in Pennsylvania and a medical doctorate from SUNY Downstate Medical Center. He completed his residency at Boston University. Contact Dr. Graber

Matthew A. Fitzer, MD Dr. Fitzer holds a bachelor's degree from Christopher Newport University in Virginia and completed medical school at the Eastern Virginia Medical School. He completed his residency at the Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia, and performed a fellowship in laparoscopic weight-loss surgery at the University of Missouri. Contact Dr. Fitzer: (315) 624-4740

Physician Assistants

Laura Buschmann, RPA-C, Surgical Assistant Laura is a surgical assistant for both Dr. Graber and Dr. Fitzer. She assists in the OR, and sees patients post-operatively, during hospital rounds, and for follow-up visits in our office. Laura also helps with patient education prior to and following surgery. A graduate of Hamilton College and the Physician Assistant Program at LeMoyne College, Laura has worked in the medical field since 1991. Contact Laura: (315) 624-4740

Sarah M. Evans, MPAS, RPA-C, Physician Assistant
Sarah assists both Dr. Graber and Dr. Fitzer in the operating room, while also helping to perform daily hospital rounds, and to review discharge instructions and post-operative diets with patients. In our office, she sees patients for post-op appointments, which involves examining the patients and their incisions, reviewing diet and exercise regimens, reviewing lab work, and monitoring medications, making adjustments as needed.

A graduate of Kings College-Wilkes-Barre, Sarah is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, and has worked in the bariatric surgery field since 2003.

Contact Sarah: (315) 624-4740

Angela M. Soja, RN, MS, FNP-C, CBN
Angela is a Nurse Practitioner who sees follow up patients in the office. This involves physical examination, review of laboratory studies, monitoring medications, and making changes as needed. Diet and exercise are reviewed, post operative education is her main focus.

Graduate of SUNY IT. Where she received her Masters Degree, Family Nurse Practitioner. She received her national certification in Bariatric Nursing in 2007. She is a member of Academy Nurse Practitioners, American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, and National Association of Bariatric Nurses. She has been in the healthcare field since 1982.

Nurses/Patient Educators

Lisa Taurisano, RN, CBN Patient Education Lisa is the clinical manager responsible for overseeing the nursing staff in the practice. She is an allied member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She received her certification in bariatric nursing in 2008. Lisa works to help educate our patients prior to and following surgery. She also assists with appointment scheduling, phone triage, and organizing all paperwork for our patients who are headed to the hospital for surgery. She has worked in healthcare since 1992, and has been with Dr. Graber and Dr. Fitzer's office since 2004. Lisa earned her LPN from BOCES in 1990, and her RN from MVCC in 1995. She has also completed coursework toward her bachelor's degree at SUNY.

Michelle Weaver, LPN, Patient Education Michelle works as Dr. Fitzer's nurse, and educates patients about the bariatric surgery program, the surgeries our office offers, post-op care, and the importance of follow-up. She schedules pre-op appointments and takes patients' calls and questions. Michelle graduated at the top of her nursing class and, committed to continuing her education, she is pursuing her associates degree in nursing at MVCC. Before joining Dr. Graber's office in 2007, she worked as a charge nurse in a 40-bed long-term skilled care facility.

Support

Dianna Carpenter, MSN, Bariatric Clinical Coordinator Graduate of SUNY Health Science Center, Syracuse New York. She has 30 years experience in the nursing profession and has been a Nurse Practitioner for the last 10 years. She coordinates all aspects of the Bariatric Surgery Program. She acts as liaison between the hospital and the surgeon's office. She participates in planning for resources for all Bariatric patients cared for within the organization. Contact Dianna: (315) 624-6398 or dcarpent@mvnhealth.com

Insurance Specialist

Katie Baker, LPN, Insurance Specialist Katie helps patients navigate an important part of the bariatric surgery process: health insurance pre-certification. She has been an LPN since 1997, and prior to joining our office, worked in family practice and surgical settings, focusing on insurance. Katie, who joined our office in 2003, holds a degree from SUNY-Morrisville, and is a NYS licensed practical nurse. Contact Katie: (315) 624-4740

Dietitians

Evelyn Mariani, MS, RD, Registered Dietitian Evelyn provides nutrition counseling to our patients undergoing weight-loss surgery. She strives to find creative ways to help each individual adapt to the lifestyle changes needed after the operation. Her professional experience includes weight management, cardiovascular health, renal disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, nutrition in the elderly, eating disorders, and food allergies. Evelyn holds a master's degree from New York University and a bachelor's from Marymount College of Fordham University. She completed a dietetic internship at the Bronx Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and is certified in childhood and adolescent weight management by the American Dietetic Association. Contact Evelyn: (315) 624-4740

Steven J. Mariani, MS, RD, Registered Dietitian
Steven provides nutrition counseling to patients undergoing weight-loss surgery through our office. He enjoys helping patients achieve their weight-loss and health goals by working closely with them to develop good pre- and post-op plans. His professional experience includes weight management, critical care nutrition, cardiovascular health, and renal disease.

Steven holds a master's degree from New York University and a bachelor's from Rochester Institute of Technology. He completed a dietetic internship at the Bronx Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Contact Steven: (315) 624-4740

Office Administrators

Theresa Sullivan, Office Administrator and Billing Manager She has eight years of professional experience and joined Dr. Graber's practice in 1999. Terry was educated at Utica School of Commerce. Contact Terry: tsulliva@mvnhealth.com

Casandra Vu, Office Manager Casandra is the clerical manager for the practice and responsible for overseeing the clerical office staff. She is in charge of assisting patients with completing disability forms, answering phone calls, new patient registration, patient compliency and assisting with the Canadian program. She has been in the medical field since 1998, attended HCCC and is currently working to obtain her degree in business Administration. Contact Cassandra: cvu@mvnhealth.com

Office Staff

Regina Blum, Billing Clerk

Cheryl Fischer, Medical Assistant

Brandy Hough, Receptionist

Trisha Purdy, Receptionist