Meet Our Weight Loss Surgeons and Staff
William A. Graber, MD, PC consists of a talented team of caring, talented, and dedicated healthcare professionals based in Syracuse and Utica. Our surgeons have performed thousands of weight loss surgeries at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare in Utica/New Hartford, NY and St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, NY.
Throughout your weight loss surgery journey you will work not only with your surgeon but our entire bariatric surgery team. This includes our physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, registered dietitian, administrative staff and insurance specialists.
Our Surgeons
William A. Graber, MD, FACS, FASMBS - Weight Loss Surgeon
Dr. William A. Graber is the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Director for both St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, New York and Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica, New York. In 2002, he recognized the need for a weight loss surgery program in Upstate New York and since then, his practice has performed thousands of bariatric surgeries on those affected by obesity, in both his Utica and Syracuse, NY locations. Dr. Graber is a board certified surgeon with vast experience performing surgical interventions for people suffering from obesity. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College in Pennsylvania, a medical doctorate from SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and completed his surgical residency at Boston University in Massachusetts. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, holds a board position on the New York State Chapter of American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), and is a member of the national ASMBS.
Dr. William A. Graber is the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Director for both St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, New York and Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica, New York. In 2002, he recognized the need for a weight loss surgery program in Upstate New York and since then, his practice has performed thousands of bariatric surgeries on those affected by obesity, in both his Utica and Syracuse, NY locations. Dr. Graber is a board certified surgeon with vast experience performing surgical interventions for people suffering from obesity. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College in Pennsylvania, a medical doctorate from SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and completed his surgical residency at Boston University in Massachusetts. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, holds a board position on the New York State Chapter of American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), and is a member of the national ASMBS.
Ransford Commey, MD, FACS - Weight Loss Surgeon
Dr. Ransford Commey grew up in Ghana, West Africa. He spent his high school years in New York City and received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York. After graduation, he worked in vaccine research and development at Merck & Co. Inc. in Pennsylvania, where he was instrumental in the development and production of multiple vaccines. He left the pharmaceutical industry for medical school in New Jersey at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Commey finished his General Surgery residency training at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he discovered his passion for Bariatric and Minimally Invasive GI Surgery. In residency, Dr. Commey also received training in Robotic general surgery.
Following his residency, Dr. Commey completed his Bariatric Surgery fellowship at St. Alexius Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. In fellowship, he trained in various bariatric surgery procedures including laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, the Loop Duodenal Switch, and revisional bariatric surgery. Dr. Commey was nominated and recognized as a 2018 Leading Physician of the World and a 2018 Top Doctor in St. Louis. Dr. Commey is certified with the American Board of Surgery and is an active member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Dr. Ransford Commey grew up in Ghana, West Africa. He spent his high school years in New York City and received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York. After graduation, he worked in vaccine research and development at Merck & Co. Inc. in Pennsylvania, where he was instrumental in the development and production of multiple vaccines. He left the pharmaceutical industry for medical school in New Jersey at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Commey finished his General Surgery residency training at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he discovered his passion for Bariatric and Minimally Invasive GI Surgery. In residency, Dr. Commey also received training in Robotic general surgery.
Following his residency, Dr. Commey completed his Bariatric Surgery fellowship at St. Alexius Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. In fellowship, he trained in various bariatric surgery procedures including laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, the Loop Duodenal Switch, and revisional bariatric surgery. Dr. Commey was nominated and recognized as a 2018 Leading Physician of the World and a 2018 Top Doctor in St. Louis. Dr. Commey is certified with the American Board of Surgery and is an active member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Nandita Rao, MD - Weight Loss Surgeon
Dr. Nandita Rao is originally from North Carolina, where she grew up and completed her early education. She went to East Carolina University on an academic scholarship in an accelerated three-year program, and obtained two bachelor’s degrees Summa Cum Laude in both biology and religious studies. Dr. Rao stayed at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine for medical school, and then moved to East Tennessee State University for general surgery residency. She was very involved in both medical student and resident education and was awarded for her efforts every year of residency, including recognition by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism and Excellence in Teaching three years in a row. She was additionally involved in clinical research related to global surgery and the establishment of medical care in internationally underserved areas. Dr. Rao was inaugurated into Alpha Omega Alpha prior to graduation, which is considered the highest honor awarded in medical training based upon compassion, servant leadership, and academic achievement. Following residency, she completed a 1-year fellowship program in metabolic and bariatric surgery at the University of Missouri.
Dr. Rao is certified by the American Board of Surgery and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Dr. Nandita Rao is originally from North Carolina, where she grew up and completed her early education. She went to East Carolina University on an academic scholarship in an accelerated three-year program, and obtained two bachelor’s degrees Summa Cum Laude in both biology and religious studies. Dr. Rao stayed at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine for medical school, and then moved to East Tennessee State University for general surgery residency. She was very involved in both medical student and resident education and was awarded for her efforts every year of residency, including recognition by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism and Excellence in Teaching three years in a row. She was additionally involved in clinical research related to global surgery and the establishment of medical care in internationally underserved areas. Dr. Rao was inaugurated into Alpha Omega Alpha prior to graduation, which is considered the highest honor awarded in medical training based upon compassion, servant leadership, and academic achievement. Following residency, she completed a 1-year fellowship program in metabolic and bariatric surgery at the University of Missouri.
Dr. Rao is certified by the American Board of Surgery and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Physician Assistants
Our dedicated Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners are an integral part of our bariatric surgery team. They work hard in the operating room and our offices to help support patients throughout their weight loss surgery journey
Laura Buschmann, RPA-C - Physician Assistant
Laura is a surgical assistant for Dr. Graber. 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.
Laura is a surgical assistant for Dr. Graber. 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.
Gary Stoltz, RPA-C - Physician Assistant
Gary has been a Physician Assistant since 2007. He holds a Bachelors Degree in accounting from SUNY Oswego and a Masters Degree in Education from SUNY Oswego. He received his Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from LeMoyne College. He has experience in occupational medicine, otolaryngology and gastroenterology. He is an avid classic car enthusiast.
Gary has been a Physician Assistant since 2007. He holds a Bachelors Degree in accounting from SUNY Oswego and a Masters Degree in Education from SUNY Oswego. He received his Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from LeMoyne College. He has experience in occupational medicine, otolaryngology and gastroenterology. He is an avid classic car enthusiast.
Clinical Staff
Evelyn Mariani, MS, RD, CDN - 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 their 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 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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 their 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 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Practice and Billing Manager
Theresa Sullivan
Terry was educated at Utica School of Commerce. She has many years of professional experience, and has worked for Dr. William A. Graber's office since 1999. Terry oversees all operations in both of our office locations.
Terry was educated at Utica School of Commerce. She has many years of professional experience, and has worked for Dr. William A. Graber's office since 1999. Terry oversees all operations in both of our office locations.
For more information on our bariatric surgery team, New York residents can contact our locations in Syracuse or Utica.
Office Locations
Syracuse
William A. Graber, MD, PC
Medical Office Centre
104 Union Ave Ste 809
Syracuse, NY 13203
315-477-4740
Medical Office Centre
104 Union Ave Ste 809
Syracuse, NY 13203
315-477-4740
Utica
Toll-Free: 1-877-269-0355
indicates office closed or changed hours.
William A. Graber, MD, PC performs surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center and Faxton St. Luke's Healthcare,
MBSAQIP accredited centers.
MBSAQIP accredited centers.
