Rebecca Myrowitz, MHS, RD, LDN
Shadi Fattah, RD, LDN
Dieticians
The role of the dietician is a key component to our Program. Our patients will interact with Rebecca and Shadi immediately at their first visit as she helps to develop the necessary dietary plan for our patients. Many insurance companies require 3 to 6-months of consecutive weight loss counseling/nutrition visits. While nutritional counseling is a requirement for the insurance companies, it is also the "backbone" to your success through your journey. Rebecca and Shadi will teach you various principles of nutrition as well as educate you on various topics during the pre-surgical phase of your journey, so that you are better prepared post-surgically to make the procedure work.
Melissa Frey, RN
Nurse Coordinator
As a nurse coordinator in the Program, Melissa is a great resource to our patients. She is involved in reviewing clinical test results with our providers to ensure that nothing is abnormal. Melissa also teaches our PREP class, which is the last step in your pre-surgical journey. This class takes place approximately 2-weeks prior to surgery where she will review what to expect the day of your surgery and what to expect once your wake up from your procedure. This PREP class is an added benefit as it allows an opportunity for patients to ask additional questions that might arise in their journey, as well as provides further education that will better prepare patients to be successful in completing their journey.
Ryan Karner
Patricia Smith
Medical Assistant
Our medical assistants are responsible for taking your vital signs at each of your visits. In addition, our MAs work closely with the providers in setting up surgery dates, scheduling your case with the operating room as well as handle all of the necessary paperwork with the hospital and for your employer.
Our Administrative Team is here to assist patients with their appointments, copays, authorizations, pre-certifications, and registration paperwork.
Our financial coordinator will contact your insurance company prior to your initial appointment to verify that you have benefits/coverage for bariatrics as well as obtaining a better understanding of the requirements for bariatric surgery.
Our team will work on your behalf even before you ever meet them. Our administrative team consists of:
Patricia Stein, CMIS
Practice Manager
Adrienne Freedman
Patient Service Assistant
Patricia Smith
Patient Service Assistant
Amanda Leonard Schwob
Financial Coordinator
In addition to our Comprehensive Team, we work closely with the following mental health providers. A mental health evaluation is a key component, and even an insurance company requirement, before final approval for bariatrics surgery can be authorized.
Affiliated Psychologists, LLC
Marsha D. Somers, PhD
Phone: 443-681-7269 or 301-625-7612
Email: drmsomers@aol.com or marshasomers@hushmail.com
Appointment Times: Thursdays from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Insurance: Dr. Somers accepts most major insurances.
Dr. Somers is a Licensed Psychologist with 20 years of clinical, research and teaching experience. She has performed approximately 500 evaluations over the past six years for patients at GBMC and other surgical hospitals in the Baltimore-Washington area. Since Fall of 2009, she is on-site at GBMC on Thursday afternoons. Her experience includes co-leading the Eating Disorders Support Group at Washington Adventist Hospital and eating disorder groups at Towson University Counseling Center, as well as individual therapy with those struggling with eating concerns, depression, anxiety and PTSD. Dr. Somers also currently works with a diverse clientele of individuals and couples in private practice in Silver Spring, MD. She received her master's degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her PhD from Temple University in Philadelphia. Dr. Somers has worked on numerous research studies at Johns Hopkins University, Temple University, the University of Maryland, Towson and Georgetown Universities and was formerly a full-time Associate Professor at Montgomery College. Patients find her to be very personable and down to earth and that any "fears" about having a psychological evaluation were quelled once the interview began. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 443-681-7269 , Option 1, and asking for an evaluation to be set up at GBMC in Towson.
Paul Giggey, PhD
Phone: 443-681-7269
Email: paulgiggey@gmail.com
Appointment Times: Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Insurance: Dr. Giggey accepts most major insurances
Dr. Giggey is a Licensed Psychologist with expertise in Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment, Treatment of Addictive Behaviors, and Behavioral Medicine. His academic training also focused on addictive behaviors, stress responses, and cardiovascular function (specifically factors associated with hypertension). In his private practice in Baltimore, he provides evidence-based treatments for individuals and couples, and has been specializing in the assessment of memory disorders, personality, and psychological factors associated with successful bariatric surgery. Dr. Giggey has worked with individuals struggling with a number of eating and weight-related concerns. He received his Master’s degree from Loyola University, his Ph.D. from University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is available on-site at GBMC on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 443-681-7269, Option 1 .
Greater Baltimore Counseling Center
Kevin Brady, PsyD
Phone: 410-760-9079
Email: kbrady@gbcc.com
Appointment Times: Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Insurance: Dr. Brady accepts most major insurance.
Dr. Brady employs an integrative approach to treatment with individuals involving both insight-oriented therapy and behavioral interventions to help patients achieve their goals. He views therapy as a collaborative relationship that helps patients to achieve insights, to form more effective ways of coping with stress and to make positive changes in their lives. He believes insights are best achieved in a caring and supportive environment. Dr. Brady's areas of specialization are depression, anxiety, relationship problems, adjustment problems, psychological trauma and crisis intervention. He also specializes in pre-surgical psychological evaluations for people seeking bariatric surgery and provides counseling to individuals regarding eating and weight concerns.
Dr. Brady is a licensed psychologist who joined the Greater Baltimore Counseling Center in October 2007. He earned his doctoral degree from Loyola College in Maryland and completed his clinical training at the Johns Hopkins University Counseling Center. Prior to that, he earned a master's degree in clinical psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and his undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University. He has over 10 years experience in providing counseling services to teenagers and adults.
