JACKSON NORTH MEDICAL CENTER ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP AT ITS BARIATRIC SURGERY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

Miami, FL – Jackson North Medical Center is proud to announce new leadership at its Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. Natan Zundel, M.D., FACS, FASMBS, has been named medical director of the center. Elias Chousleb M.D., bariatric surgeon, who has been an active member of the Department of Surgery at Jackson North, now leads the center’s monthly information sessions. 

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Zundel and Dr. Chousleb as part of the Jackson North Medical Center family,” said Sandra Sears, chief administrative officer at Jackson North Medical Center. “Both doctors have established themselves as leaders in bariatric surgery and we are happy to be able to offer their expertise to our patients.”

Dr. Zundel is also vice-chairman of the Department of Surgery and a clinical professor of surgery at the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.  Dr. Zundel is board certified in surgery, and also holds a board certification with the Colombian Surgical Association.  He has extensive experience in laparoscopic and bariatric surgical procedures and serves as a consultant for Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery of Fundanción Santa Fé de Bogotá. 

Dr. Zundel received his medical degree from Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá and completed his general surgery residency at West Penn Hospital at Temple University School of Medicine.    Dr. Zundel is a member of numerous editorial boards of publications.  He has published extensively in peer-reviewed publications and has given national lectures in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric topics. Dr. Zundel has been very active in MI and Bariatric Surgery training and education all over the world, taking part in developing simulation training programs, like the LAP Project.

Dr. Chousleb is also an assistant professor of surgery at the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Dr. Chousleb has clinical expertise in general surgery and advanced minimally invasive surgery, including bariatric surgery, adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass.

Dr. Chousleb served as a Clinical Fellow at The Metabolic and Bariatric Institute at Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, and he completed his residency in General Surgery at New York Hospital Queens. He is a member of the American Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, the Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, and the American Medical Association.   He has co-authorized numerous articles, textbook chapters and abstracts in his areas of expertise.   He is co-editor of the LAP Project.

Jackson North, a satellite of Jackson Health System, was designated as an ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program .The Weight Loss Surgery Center at Jackson North received this designation for providing superior bariatric surgery patient care, promoting optimal levels of performance and advancing the safety, efficacy and efficiency of bariatric and metabolic surgical care. Jackson North offers a holistic approach to weight loss for patients who are unable to lose excessive weight through diet and exercise.