About Us
Ziad Hanna, DO, MD, F.A.C.S. Director of the Bariatric Surgery Program
Dr. Ziad Hanna is the director of the Bariatric Surgery Program, a Section of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Ukiah Valley Medical Center. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery at Touro University School of Osteopathic Medicine. He specializes in advance laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery to treat diseases such as cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, pancreas, adrenal glands, esophagus, intestines, stomach, thyroid gland, lung and abdominal wall.
Dr. Ziad Hanna earned his medical degrees at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and at the Faculty of Medicine at Damascus University. He completed his general surgery training and served as chief resident at Easton Hospital in Pennsylvania, an associate hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (UPEN) and Drexel University. He finished his fellowship training in minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery at Loyola University in Chicago. During his training, he received the Resident Achievement Award from the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, twice.
Since Dr. Hanna joined UVMC in 2006, he established the weight loss surgery program, introduced many advanced laparoscopic techniques to complex medical problems, established the multispecialty peer review committee at UVMC, and served as a chief of Surgery and Anesthesia for two years, and he is the Surgeon Champion for the NSQIP (National Surgery Quality Improvement Program).
Dr. Hanna is an active member of the American College of Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Debbie Parker RN CAPA, Bariatric Coordinator, Perioperative Services
Debbie has been the Bariatric Coordinator since start of the program. She works with our dietitians to provide education and support to patients and their families and runs the Bariatric Group Meetings. She also works with our health care team to provide information and assistance to patients through every step of the bariatric surgical process. She is a valuable resource for pre and postoperative care instructions, weight loss expectations, post-op lifestyle changes, preoperative testing, appointments, referrals and insurance authorizations.