Dr. Jooyeun Chung, Medical Director
Dr. Chung is the medical director of the Metabolic & Weight Loss Center at Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell. She is a fellowship-trained surgeon who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of metabolic disorders, with a special focus on minimally invasive procedures.
She has personally performed hundreds of weight loss surgeries. Before joining Capital Health, Dr. Chung was a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and instructor at Harvard Medical School in Boston. She is board certified by the American Board of General Surgery, and a published author of several peer-reviewed papers.
Dr. Kashif Anwar, Medical Weight Loss Program
Dr. Kashif Anwar is board certified in obesity medicine and helps patients in our Medical Weight Loss Program achieve their goals by breaking harmful eating patterns and establishing lasting routines for long-term health. The program is a regimented, protein-based meal replacement plan that is strictly monitored by Dr. Anwar and his team. Replacement foods such as protein bars, shakes, pudding, and soups are part of a larger system of behavior modification, nutrition education, physical activity, and group support.
Meet the rest of the team
The program we’ve put together at Capital Health is unique in its comprehensive, integrated approach. We offer multiple disciplines all in one convenient location. By surrounding you with a highly experienced team, we address the medical, behavioral, and nutritional issues related to obesity.
We consider every aspect of your health, which is why your team not only includes Capital Health surgeons, like Dr. Chung, but also specialists in other disciplines critical to achieving success. Each has a special role in helping you achieve the outcome you desire. But remember, you’re a part of this team, too. In fact, you’re its most important member.
Registered Dietitians
You’ll work, one-on-one and in a group setting, with our registered dietitians to prepare you for weight loss surgery and long-term maintenance. The focus will be on offering solutions to problematic eating behaviors and nutritional issues.
Theresa Balestrieri, MS, RD
Theresa Balestrieri is the registered dietitian at the Metabolic & Weight Loss Center at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell. Theresa enjoys working with clients to address their individual needs to improve their overall health and wellness by focusing on increasing their nutrition-related knowledge, improve food choices and activity levels in order to achieve sustainable weight loss. She previously worked as the clinical dietitian at Capital Health and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she assessed patients nutritionally in surgical, oncology, cardiac and critical care units.
Theresa earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Science from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, and her Master’s of Science in Food and Nutrition from Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ. Theresa completed her dietetic internship with Sodexo at Capital Health, St. Lawrence Rehab, Abbington Nutrition Center and Jefferson Health Outpatient Nutrition Center. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Elizabeth George, RDN, LDN
Elizabeth George is a registered and licensed dietitian at the Metabolic & Weight Loss Center at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell. Elizabeth works with patients in the Medical Weight Loss Program or those taking weight loss medications. She enjoys helping patients find different ways to enjoy the foods they love while losing weight and develop new behaviors for a healthy lifestyle. She also works as a clinical dietitian at Capital Health, assessing patients on surgical, oncology, and cardiac units.
Elizabeth earned her bachelor of science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She completed her dietetic internship at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, rotating at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center Rehab, and Indiana Regional Medical Center’s Institute for Healthy Living.
Psychologist
The decision to undergo weight loss surgery requires careful thought. It’s a decision that is complex, intensely personal, and means permanent lifestyle changes. For these reasons, we require a behavioral health evaluation with our psychologist. We’ll discuss your expectations and motivations. We’ll work with you to consider the habits, behaviors, and emotions that can affect your success. We’ll make sure you understand the lifelong implications of this decision. Success is only possible with full commitment and compliance.
Education and support groups
Being surrounded by people who are on the same life-changing journey as you can contribute enormously to helping you reach a healthier weight. You learn from others who have already had the surgery. You’re part of a group that understands exactly what you’re going through and are eager to share what they’ve learned and experienced.
Click here for a list of accepted insurances at the Capital Health Metabolic & Weight Loss Center.