Meet the Team

During your stay with us, our multidisciplinary staff will become your second family. Our mutual goal is success throughout your entire program experience.

Every patient is different, therefore every patient has different strengths and weaknesses. Tri-State Bariatrics recognizes you as an individual and will assist in developing and implementing a support program that will allow you to be successful in your weight loss after surgery. To provide an individualized program, Tri-State Bariatrics has a wide variety of multidisciplinary clinical and support staff. Our team includes, but is not limited to, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Dieticians, Psychologist,and knowledgeable office support staff.

Peter H. Kwon MD F.A.C.S
Surgical Program Director

Dr. Kwon is a Board Certified surgeon. He received his medical education at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York and had his surgical residency training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles . He has over 20 years of laparoscopic surgery experience. He has performed over 1,500 laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placements. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a regular member of the American Society for Bariactric Surgery, and a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. He is the founder and surgical director of Tri-State Bariatrics, a state -of -the-art comprehensive and ethical weight control center serving the residents of Orange , Sullivan, Dutchess, Ulster Counties in New York , Sussex County in New Jersey , and Pike County in Pennsylvania .

 

Dr. Wayne M. Weiss, M.D. is with Tri-State Bariatrics and is Board Certified in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care.  He is currently the Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at Orange Regional Medical Center.   He received his medical degree from New York University and completed a surgery residency at New York University Medical Center. A trauma surgeon for over 22 years with an established record of excellence, he has been performing Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass and Lap-Band surgery for over seven years and has performed hundreds of bariatric surgeries.

Alisha M. Fuller, MS,RN,FNP,BC
Nurse Practitioner
Certified Bariatric Nurse

Alisha is a board certified nurse practitioner and member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society.  She is currently President of the Greater Newburgh Chapter of the NYS Nurse Practitioner Association.  She received her Bachelor's in Nursing from Mount Saint Mary College in 1997 and Master's of Science from Pace University in 2002.  Alisha, a native of Orange County, New York, has over 18 years of nursing experience and has practiced the last 7 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care.  She is an Adjunct Professor at Pace University and pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice.   

Alice Looney, RN, MSN, ANP, BC
Nurse Practitioner
Certified Bariatric Nurse

Alice is a board certified Adult Health Nurse Practitioner and a member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society and current Vice President of the Greater Newburgh Chapter of the Nurse Practitioner Association.  She graduated for OCCC in 1980 as an R.N..  She received her bachelors from Mount St. Mary College in 2000 and a Master's of Science with a minor in Nursing Management from Mount St. Mary College in 2003.  Alice has 28 years experience as an R.N. with 5 years as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. 

Jody Machugh RN, MSN, FNP, BC
Nurse Practitioner

Jody graduated from Pace University in 2001 with a Bacheler's Degree in Nursing. She then recieved her Masters Degree in 2004. Jody is Board Certified in Family Health as a Nurse Practitioner. She has 8 years of nursing experience in the areas of internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, anesthesia, pain management, and OB/GYN.

Susan K. Peters MS, RD
Bariatric Program Dietician

Susan is a registered dietician who is certified in the state of New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware, followed by her master’s degree from New York University. Prior to joining the Tri-State Bariatric team she worked at Nyack Hospital in Rockland County where she covered the surgical step-down, surgical ICU, and pediatric units.  Susan is an associate member of the ASMBS(American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery) and received her Certificate of Training in Adult Management through the American Dietetic Association. 

Christy Bock
Dietitian

Christy completed her education with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics in 2006 from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and post graduation Dietetic Internship from Long Island University in 2009. She has worked in fitness facilities working with people of all different backgrounds and abilities to reach fitness and nutrition goals. Christy is also certified as an American College of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer. 

Becky Aschoff RN, CBN
Certified Bariatric Nurse
Bariatric Program Manager

Graduate from Orange County Community College with an Associate Degree in Science in 1992. Becky has worked as a Nurse in the field of acute care rehabilitation and head-injury rehabilitation for over 14 years. She has also worked as a quality improvement coordinator for over 5 years in an acute care hospital.  Becky is pursuing  her Bachelors Degree in Nursing at this time.

Cynthia Marsilio RN, BSN
Bariatric Program Director at Bon Secours Community Hospital

Cyndi is a registered nurse who received her B.S.N. at SUNY New Paltz and her R.N. at SUNY Orange County Community College . She has over 17 years experience in nursing, with experience in ICU, Same Day Surgery and PACU. She has a special interest in the care of Bariatric surgical patients, and has been instrumental in developing the Bariatric Program with Dr. Kwon at Tri-State Bariatrics.

 

Mary Ann McCarthy
Insurance Specialist

Mary Ann has been in the medical field for over 30 years, her specialty is Medical Insurance.

Courtney Steffens
Data Specialist

Courtney has been in the medical field for over 6 years.

 

Patricia Braisted
Bariatric Program Assistant 

Patricia has been in the medical field for 24 years and is a Radiologic Technologist.  She received her degree from The University of Charleston, in Charleston West Virginia.

Angela Worden
Bariatric Program Assistant – Front Desk
Phlebotomist

Angela has been in the medical field for 4 years, she is a certified Phlebotomist. She earned her certification from Ulster Boces, in Kingston, NY . She joined our staff July of 2005.

Kristina Lanterman
Bariatric Program Assistant - Front Desk

Kris has been in the medical field for over 19 years. She has worked in physical therapy as a transporter, as a dietician assistant, a unit clerk, and in registration. She has been with part of our programs staff since May 2004.

 

 

 

 

Jennipher Looney
Bariatric Program Assistant - Front Desk

Jennipher is veteran of the US Navy. She served on board the USS Nimitz for four years as a culinary specialist. She recieved her culinary training at US Navy Culinary School in Lackland, Texas, as well as extensive hands on training on board the USS Nimitz. She has worked in the culinary field as a sous chef, executive baker as well as catering. She is currently working on a bariatric cookbook that she hopes will encourage patients to eat healthy and be more creative with food. Jennipher joined our program in January 2009.

Shannon Caston
Bariatric Program Assistant - Front Desk

Shannon has been in the medical field for over 4 years. She joined our program in May of 2007.

Melissa Ackerson
Data Entry

Melissa has been in the medical field for 2 years. She recieved a certificate in medical billing and medical coding from Suny Orange in Middletown, NY. Melissa joined the team in June 2008.

Danielle Steffens
Business Manager/Medical Claims Biller

Danielle has been in the medical field for 6 years, her specialty is Medical Claims Billing.