Dr. Anthony M. Gonzalez, MD

Dr.Gonzalez is a board certified general surgeon with interest in general surgery, laparoscopic surgery and bariatric surgery. He has been involved in the care of bariatric patients since 1994. After completing medical school at the University of Miami, he continued his surgical training at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital Medical Center. He has continued his affiliation with the University, as he is a voluntary assistant professor of surgery. Dr. Gonzalez is a member of multiple professional societies including the American Society of Bariatric Surgery.

Chief of Surgery at Baptist Hospital
Served as Vice Chief of Surgery at Baptist Hospital for 4 years
Current Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at South Miami Hospital
Chairs the GI (Gastro-intestinal) performance improvement collaborative at Baptist Hospital
During his spare time, Dr. Gonzalez is the Medical Director of Living Hope Haiti Christian Mission

For more information on Dr. Anthony M. Gonzalez, please visit his website at www.anthonygonzalezmd.com.

Dr. Jorge R. Rabaza, MD

Dr. Jorge Rabaza is a General and Bariatric surgeon, who graduated from the University of Miami, and has been in private practice since 1991. He completed his medical training at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. Due to his profound interest in surgery, Dr. Rabaza is a voluntary professor at the University of Miami, teaching students and residents the art and science of surgery. In addition, he has written numerous scientific abstracts, including Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Patients Undergoing Gastric Bypass Surgery for Morbid Obesity (Renshaw AA, Rabaza JR, Gonzalez AM, Verdeja JC: Journal of Obesity Surgery, 2001 JUN; 11(3): 281-3.)

He is a diplomate of The American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Being one of the first bariatric surgeons in Miami-Dade County, Dr. Rabaza has extensive knowledge and experience performing bariatric surgery, including revisional surgery.

In addition to his interest in surgery for the morbidly obese, he also specializes in hernia surgery. Throughout his career, Dr. Rabaza has also done extensive research and training in other areas, such as the DaVinci Surgical Off-Site Training Program. Recent accomplishments include:

Chief of Surgery - South Miami Hospital 2003-2005
Vice President Medical Staff at South Miami Hospital 2006-2007
President of Medical Staff at South Miami- 2007-present
South Miami Board Member 2007-present
Dr.Rabaza works closely with Liga Contra el Cancer (League Against Cancer)

Dr. Juan-Carlos Verdeja, MD

Juan-Carlos Verdeja, born in Havana, emigrated to the United States as a child. He graduated from medical school in 1984 and, along with other honors, was inducted into "Iron Arrow" ("the highest attained at the University of Miami"). He completed a five-year surgical residency in 1989 and was awarded the Upjohn Award for Outstanding Chief Resident. Laparoscopic general surgery was introduced later that year, as he began his private practice, and he immediately took an interest in this evolving field. He coauthored the first scientific paper in the world literature on laparoscopic colon surgery and was instrumental in the invention of the technique of laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy. He is recognized internationally as a pioneer in the development of advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques. In conjunction with this, he became active in instrument and product design of surgical equipment and has invented four products widely used for surgery. In addition to this, he maintains a busy General Surgery practice. Dr. Verdeja is a clinical professor of surgery and on the adjunct faculty of several universities. Currently, he is Chief of Surgery at South Miami Hospital. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Fellow of the International College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery. He has edited several publications, authored a chapter in a surgical textbook, written numerous articles in the scientific literature, and teaches courses and lectures extensively in conjunction with his varied surgical interests.

In 1998, he introduced the first center for bariatric surgery in Miami and in conjunction with Baptist Health and South Miami Hospital has developed a comprehensive program for the surgical management of the obese patient. He and his partners, Drs. Jorge Rabaza and Anthony Gonzalez have performed nearly 2000 gastric bypass surgeries with excellent results. Currently, he continues to travel abroad to lecture on bariatric surgery.

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Our Support Group

Our Support Group is open to anyone that has had surgery for obesity and would like support. Info Sessions are for anyone interested in learning more about surgical treatment for obesity.