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
Hear from Dr. Scott in this video
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.
Watch a video about Dr. Scott and his work featured in SSM's Our People
To view Dr. Scott’s curriculum vitae, click here.
Dr. Mario P. Morales - Surgeon
Hear from Dr. Morales in this video
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.
Stephanie C. Davis, LPC, NCC - Licensed Professional Counselor
Before joining SSM Weight Loss Institute, Stephanie Davis lived in Orlando, Florida, where she earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Central Florida in 2004. In 2008, Stephanie became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida and following relocation, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Missouri. She is also certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors as an NCC ("National Certified Counselor"). Stephanie's clinical experience includes outpatient settings, at-risk adolescent group homes, family services agencies, and court ordered treatment programs for adolescent males. In addition, Stephanie is trained in completing comprehensive evaluations and providing individual, family and group counseling to persons of all ages. She has assisted patients in resolving issues related to eating disorders, depression, anxiety, conduct, anger, grief, communication and self-esteem. Stephanie participates in regular professional training and consultation throughout the year.
David A. Dorsey, MD - Non-Surgical Program Physician
As a member of the family medicine department of SSM DePaul Medical Group, Dr. Dorsey will be providing health care to patients of all ages, from birth through all stages of life up through the senior years.
Dr. Dorsey joins the Medical Group upon completing training at St. Louis University School of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program. He earned his medical degree at Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies, followed by clinical training in New York, New Jersey, and St. Louis. He is board certified in Family Medicine.
Prior to obtaining his medical education, Dr. Dorsey practiced as a licensed chiropractic physician in St. Louis and Evansville, IN for over 10 years.
Heather O'Toole, MD - Non-Surgical Program Physician
Before joining SSM Health Care - St. Louis, Dr. O’Toole lived in Goodyear, Arizona where she practiced as a family physician since 2006. Prior to that, she worked as a family medicine provider at Luke Air Force Base, where she achieved the rank of Major. Dr. O’Toole also served as an emergency department physician for Ray County Memorial Hospital in Richmond, Missouri.
Dr. O’Toole received her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine. She completed her family practice residency at University of Missouri – Kansas City where she also completed her obstetric/c-section track training.
She has received many honors, including the Air Force Commendation for Meritorious Service, WOW Award for Excellence in Patient Care, Resident Teacher Award, and Chief Resident.
Jessica Smith, MD – Non-Surgical Program 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.
Our Multidisciplinary Team
Theresa Miller, Registered Nurse, Bariatric Coordinator/Supervisor
Michelle Pearce, Registered Nurse, Bariatric Coordinator
Michelle Bryant, Registered Nurse
Stephanie Lucido, Registered Nurse
Kathy McCulloch, Registered Nurse
Mary Ann Fischer, Registered Nurse
John Wagoner, Registered Nurse
Vicki Madden, Registered Nurse
Jennifer Moffett, Registered Dietician
Cari Breckel, Weight Management Education Specialist
Kayla Ramsey, Weight Management Education Specialist
Neal Moffett, Department Assistant HMR
Rebecca Riley, Weight Management Education Specialist/Manager HMR
Angela Spangler, Patient Advocate
Deborah Robinson-Shim, Patient Advocate
Patsy Beeson, Customer Relations/Team Leader
Liola Davis, Insurance Verification
Judy Harmon, Business Supervisor
Brenda Jacobsen, Department Assistant
Shirley Woodard, Department Assistant
Ann Kloeppel, Department Assistant
Christie Judd, Director