SSM Weight-Loss Institute physicians and health professionals have helped to set – and maintain – the standard of the weight-loss industry. Our forward-thinking, progressive team has patented more than 40 weight-loss surgical and treatment techniques and is dedicated to providing you with the best care – and the best results.
Meet our experienced, compassionate, and high-performance team:
J. Stephen Scott, MD, FACS – Medical Director and Bariatric Surgeon
Center of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
Dr. J. Stephen Scott has spent years studying obesity and training to treat this condition as a surgeon. In 1996, he performed his first open Roux-en-Y divided gastric bypass and in 1997 became one of the first surgeons to ever perform this procedure laparoscopically. He has been involved in over 3,000 Roux-en-Y procedures since that time.
Dr. Scott is nationally recognized for his proficiency and expertise in many laparoscopic procedures. He has published and lectured extensively on several of these operations, and has served to proctor and teach these to a large number of surgeons across the country. As national laboratory director for the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, Dr. Scott oversees the training provided to surgeons interested in surgical techniques and overall management of the morbidly obese. He was recently designated a Center of Excellence surgeon by the American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery.
In 2000, Dr. Scott and his partner, Dr. Roger A. de la Torre, became Founders of Satiety Inc., along with world-renowned surgeon and inventor, Dr. Thomas J. Fogarty. This is a company which focuses on the endoscopic treatment of obesity. Furthermore, he has contributed to the development of several surgical instruments, which are sold worldwide.
Dr. Scott graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in 1986. He completed his internship and residency in General Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida in 1991, and went into private practice the same year.
To view Dr. Scott’s curriculum vitae, click here.
Dr. Mario P. Morales - Surgeon
Dr. Mario P. Morales is a board-certified general surgeon who has additional laparoscopic certification. A graduate of the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Morales completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia. During his residency, he performed hundreds of bariatric surgeries and procedures under the direction of Dr. Roger de la Torre. He recently completed a fellowship in bariatric/minimally invasive surgery with the SSM Weight-Loss Institute at DePaul Health Center where he assisted Drs. Stephen Scott and Roger de la Torre in more than 200 cases. Dr. Morales regularly performs Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery, which is the fast recovery care standard in weight-loss surgery.
As a mechanical engineer, Dr. Morales has contributed to the design of disposable laparoscopic devices and thorascopic instruments. As a program leader for Computer Motion Incorporated’s laparoscopic New Product introduction group, he was responsible for all facets of the design and manufacture of disposable mechanical devices that interact with the ZEUS™ surgical robot.
Dr. Morales has written a wide range of publications, from peer-reviewed journals to chapters in surgery textbooks. He has also been a guest lecturer at the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery National Meeting.
Jessica Smith, MD – HMR Physician
Dr. Jessica Smith manages the non-surgical HMR® (Health Management Resources) program at SSM DePaul Health Center. She is a family practice physician trained in the identification and management of acute problems and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.
Dr. Smith graduated from the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and completed her internship and residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria-Methodist Medical Center. She is board-certified in family medicine, and a member of the SSM DePaul Medical Group.
To view Dr. Smith’s curriculum vitae, click here.
Thomas A. Johnson, Jr., MD – HMR Physician
Dr. Thomas Johnson is board certified in family medicine and has spent more than three decades in private practice while also serving as an associate professor at both St. Louis University and the University of Missouri in Columbia.
Dr. Johnson’s mission to help impact the obesity epidemic facing America began in 1995. After personally gaining substantial weight, he developed heart disease. Dr. Johnson underwent cardiac bypass surgery and decided to dramatically change his lifestyle. He lost the weight and sought out educational opportunities that could help him help others. He began taking nutrition and lifestyle classes at both the Mayo Clinic and Washington University in St. Louis and also became an active member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Today, Dr. Johnson is passionate about using medically proven interventions to help others reach a healthy weight and maintain it for a lifetime.
To view Dr. Johnson’s curriculum vitae, click here.
Diane Joyce, PsyD – Psychologist
Dr. Diane Joyce holds a masters degree in counseling and a doctorate in clinical psychology. Although her experience includes work with a multitude of psychological and behavioral issues, she has spent the past 12 years specializing in binge eating disorders and conducting pre-surgical psychological evaluations for surgical weight-loss patients. She has performed more than 3,000 such evaluations to date.
Dr. Joyce serves as vice-president of health for the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society and is listed in “Who’s Who Among American Women” and Marquis’ “Who’s Who of American Women”.
To view Dr. Joyce’s curriculum vitae, click here.
Our Multidisciplinary Team
Theresa Miller, Registered Nurse, Bariatric Coordinator
Stephanie Lucido, Registered Nurse
Jennifer Moffett, Registered Dietician
Steve Mauchenheimer, Exercise Physiologist
Kathy McCulloch, Registered Nurse
John Wagoner, Registered Nurse
Cari Breckel, Weight Management Education Specialist
Kayla Ramsey, Weight Management Education Specialist
Rebecca Riley, Weight Management Education Specialist
Lindsey Duehren, Weight Management Education Specialist
Patsy Beeson, Customer Relations/Team Leader
Liola Davis, Insurance Verification
Stacey Rulo, Business Supervisor
Shirley Woodard, Department Assistant
Geri Thiele, Department Assistant
Kathy Caton, Director