Meet the Team
To learn more about our program and how we can help, please call us at (805) 332-8446.
Dr. Carol McCloskey, MD, FACS
Dr. McCloskey is an experienced bariatric surgeon and has performed more than 2,000 bariatric surgery procedures over the last ten years. She performs a wide range of surgery procedures; in addition to minimally invasive gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries, she offers advanced techniques in hernia repair, anti-reflux surgeries, and routine general surgery. She emphasizes minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques that reduce pain and shorten recovery times.
Dr. McCloskey received her medical degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and went on to complete her surgery residency at University of Pittsburgh as well. She performed an additional year of fellowship at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in minimally invasive bariatric and general surgery, making her an expert in this field. Dr. McCloskey is Board Certified in Surgery since 2006. She joined the Weight Loss Surgery Institute of the Central Coast team in 2015. She serves as the Medical Director.
Julietta Chang, MD
Dr. Chang is a Board Certified Surgeon. She earned her Medical Degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She completed her General Surgery Residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and her Bariatric Surgery Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is passionate about helping people reach a healthy weight and is an active member of the following organizations: American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Chang believes it is a privilege to provide the best medical care available with compassion and respect.
John Malinowski, ATC, CET
John is the Fitness Trainer for the Weight Loss Surgery Institute of the Central Coast. He is a certified athletic trainer through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification and certified trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from California Polytechnic State University and furthered his education at San Jose State University.
As a member of the Weight Loss Surgery Institute team he leads the group exercise classes held at the Marian Health and Wellness Center and assists with patient Fitness Assessments. He is involved with post-surgical patient education on implementing the principles of exercise into a new lifestyle.
Kim Blanton, BSN, RN
Kim Blanton is our Bariatric Nurse Program Coordinator. She has been a nurse for more than 19 years and has experience in multiple fields of nursing including; Administration, Critical Care, Telemetry, Antepartum, and Med Surg.
As the Bariatric Nurse Coordinator she has extensive training regarding the care of the morbidly obese and bariatric surgical patients.
Kim completed her BSN at Holy Names University in Oakland, Ca. Kim carries certifications in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
She is excited to be part of the Bariatric multi-disciplinary team and enjoys helping patients achieve their goals with weight loss and improving their overall health.
Hayley Edwards, RDN
Hayley Edwards is one of our registered dietitians who works exclusively with weight loss surgery patients. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and completed her dietetic internship with California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Hayley works with patients at the Weight Loss Surgery Institute both before and after surgery, teaching them about the unique nutritional needs of the weight loss surgery patient. Hayley’s goal is to help patients feel confident using their weight loss “tool” to help support long-term optimal nutrition.
Kevin Paluay, NP
Kevin Paluay is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner experienced in the evaluation and ongoing treatment of patients with mood disorders, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, neurocognitive and personality disorders. Previously, he worked at a community mental health facility providing outpatient, telepsychiatry, and crisis residential treatment services. He has an interest in working with special populations to include veterans, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ, and homeless/uninsured patients.
He is a graduate of the University of Washington, Seattle and California State University, Los Angeles. During his downtime, he enjoys traveling with his wife and two boys.
Shirow Sasaki, PharmD
Shirow is a Transitions of Care Pharmacist at Marian Regional Medical Center. He describes his role to his patients as a “discharge pharmacist”. Shirow has 34 years of retail pharmacy experience including owning his own pharmacy for 17 years. He has a passion for patient counseling and education.
Shirow graduated from The University of the Pacific, School of Pharmacy in Stockton, CA with his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 1985.
Learn More
To learn more about our program and how we can help, please call (805) 332-8446.