Advisory Board

Jeanne Blankenship, MS, RD
Jeanne BlankenshipJeanne Blankenship is a nationally known registered dietitian with over fifteen years of professional experience. She has authored multiple articles and book chapters addressing surgical weight loss and weight management. Jeanne is a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and was recently named to the position of Member-at-Large of the Integrated Health Executive Council of ASMBS. She also coauthored a white paper outlining nutrition recommendations for bariatric surgery patients. Jeanne is an Analyst for the American Dietetic Association's Nutrition Care in Bariatric Surgery Evidence Analysis Team.

Jeanne serves as the nutrition coordinator for the largest comprehensive bariatric surgery program in Sacramento, CA and developed a model nutrition education program for bariatric surgery. Read More


Julie M. Janeway, BBA, MSA, JD, ABD/Ph.D
Julie JanewayJulie Janeway is an attorney and a gastric bypass patient having had surgery in October, 2003. She is a previously published author of numerous articles on legal and non-legal topics, and is frequently featured in various peer-reviewed publications writing about a variety of bariatric related topics. She is the co-author of the number one weight loss surgery patient education book in the world, The REAL Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery: An Indispensable Guide to What You Can REALLY Expect! now in its second edition, and Little Victories REAL Food Cookbook! Easy, practical, healthy foods your whole family will eat." She is also a contributing author of two medical texts books, is a major contributing author of The Encyclopedia of Obesity, and the co-author of two upcoming textbooks for dietary science students and practicing dietitians. Julie is currently a professor of law, political science, public health, and social science at Central Michigan University, as well as a nationally and internationally requested educator and trainer on bariatric, obesity, legal, education, leadership, management, communication, and support group leadership topics. She teaches bariatric related continuing education courses for ASMBS, BariMD, ADA, ADMA, CON, and other organizations. She is a professional public health and bariatric educator. Read More

 

Linda Aills, RN, RD

Linda received a B.S. degree in Dietetics from Virginia Tech and has been a Registered Dietitian since 1990. After 6 years of clinical hospital experience, she left to start a private practice in 1995.

She has worked in a variety of settings specializing in diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, providing individual counseling, weight loss programs, community lectures, cooking demonstrations, grocery store tours, as well as radio and television appearances.  She also managed Dr. Gabe Mirkin's Fat Free Clinic cooking school for 5 years. 

Her bariatric nutrition practice has been based in Northern Virginia since 2000 where she specializes in the assessment and education of gastric bypass and adjustable banded patients.  In 2007, Linda made a bold decision to return to school and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from George Mason University.  In 2008, she accepted a fellowship at Inova Alexandria Hospital to continue her training in the operating room and hopes one day to become an RN first assist specializing in bariatric surgery.  She plans to continue her work in the field of bariatrics combining her knowledge and expertise as a registered nurse and registered dietitian providing care for the patient throughout the whole peri-operative experience.  Read More
 

Karen J. Sparks, BBA, MBEd
Karen SparksKaren Sparks is a gastric bypass patient having had surgery in December, 2003, and co-author of the number one weight loss surgery patient education book in the world, The REAL Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery: An Indispensable Guide to What You Can REALLY Expect! now in its second edition, as well as Little Victories REAL Food Cookbook! Easy, practical, healthy foods your whole family will eat." She is also a major contributing author of The Encyclopedia of Obesity, the co-author of two upcoming textbooks for dietary science students and practicing dietitians, and is frequently featured in various peer-reviewed publications writing about a variety of bariatric related topics. Karen is a nationally and internationally requested educator and trainer on bariatric, obesity, management, supervision, leadership, human resources, education, and support group leadership topics. Karen is a professional public health and bariatric educator, and teaches bariatric related continuing education courses for ASMBS, BariMD, ADA, ADMA, CON, and other organizations. She is also a specialist in curriculum and program development. Read More