About Pine Creek Medical Center

Redefining Health Care...One Patient at a Time

Pine Creek Medical Center is a private, physician-owned and operated hospital serving more than 3 million people in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and surrounding counties. It was founded in 2003 by a group of physicians who set out to develop and operate a state-of-the-art hospital in a personal, warm and comfortable setting. Pine Creek Medical Center is considered the facility of choice by many of the area's best physicians as well as patients who seek the finest health care available. With a 99% patient satisfaction score, it is obvious that Pine Creek Medical Center is committed to being at the cutting edge of the health care industry, not only in service but in efficiency, safety and quality care.

Pine Creek Medical Center's staff of doctors is well-known in the Dallas-Fort worth area and includes physicians who specialize in bariatrics, pain management, gynecology, general surgery, podiatry, ENT, radiology, orthopedics, and spine as well a sports medicine.

About John H. Alexander, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Alexander is a developer and pioneer in the field of obesity surgery and has performed successful bariatric surgeries since 1991 He and his team work tirelessly to help patients achieve their weight loss goals from the surgery itself through post-operative and extensive follow-up care. At the Alexander Center for Obesity Surgery, Dr. Alexander also performs surgical revisions to help patients who have had stomach banding, or Roux En Y Gastric Bypass, who are unhappy with the results. He also performs full-body reconstruction in addition to the Lap-Band procedure after weight loss.

Dr. Alexander is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is a Member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. He is currently chief of the department of surgery at RHD Memorial Hospital, has had numerous media presentations, and has been admired by media for his generosity and experience in bariatric surgery.

About Karlan Armstrong, MS, PT

About Dr. Ray Aronowitz

Dr. Ray Aronowitz is one of the four surgeons of the Texas Orthopaedic Surgical Associates group. He received his Medical Degree from the Univeristy of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in 1993. Dr. Aronowitz received membership to the Texas Epsilon Chapter of the Alpha Honor Society and interned at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, in June 1993. He attended the University of Tennessee Campbell Clinic wher ehe completed his orthopaedic training in July 1998. His areas of specialty interest include arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder, sports injuries, hand and upper extremity surgery, and trauma.

About Don Buford, MD

Whether you're a fine-tuned athlete or a weekend warrior, sports-related injuries are just part of the game. With most injuries, how long you're "on the bench" depends on the way you care for those injuries. The right treatment-and the right sports medicine doctor-are critical.

Dr. Don Buford is a sports medicine physician with The Sports Medicine Clinic of North Texas (SMCNT) and is an expert in sports-related injuries in more ways than one. First and foremost, he is a skilled and respected surgeon, and second, he is a former professional athlete having played for the Baltimore Orioles organization for four years as a second baseman and outfielder. Dr. Buford specializes in arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery and is involved in medical education and new product development. He serves on the Arthroscopy Association of North America's Education & Admissions Committees, lectures nationally and internationally on arthroscopic shoulder surgery topics, and has published many articles and book chapters on various sports injury-related topics.

The Sports Medicine Clinic of North Texas is the oldest sports medicine subspecialty orthopaedic surgical group in Dallas who provide comprehensive orthopedic care for both athletes and non-athletes. Due to its state-of-the-art digital operating rooms and dedication to patient safety and care, Pine Creek Medical Center is the preferred facility of choice for the physicians at SMCNT, especially Dr. Buford.

About Dr. Theresa Garza

As iVital’s Medical Director, Dr. Garza sets the standards for clinical performance and patient care within our Center. In addition to consulting with our patients throughout their relationship with iVital, Dr. Garza also performs Diagnostic Evaluations and Lap–Band Adjustments (commonly referred to as "fills").

"I love my work at iVital. I’m surrounded by a team of true professionals and together I know we are making a significant difference in people’s lives."

Dr. Garza is a board–certified primary care physician who specializes in bariatrics. She is a native Texan, completing her undergraduate degree in Austin as well as her medical school and residency in Dallas/Fort Worth. As medical director at iVital, Dr. Garza helps maintain the continuum of care for each and every patient – seeing every individual the first day at iVital, performing diagnostic evaluations, and coordinating\implementing personalized aftercare. She joined iVital because of her passion for treating the cause of so many medical conditions seen in her 7 years of practicing medicine. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine, a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, and an affiliate physician of the American Board of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgeons.

About Terry Gemas, MD

Terry K. Gemas provides provides both surgical and non-surgical orthopaedic care for the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and accepts patients of all ages. Lakewood Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine was founded in 2005 by Dr. Terry K. Gemas.Our practice treats all forms of orthopaedic pathology including sports and work related injuries, as well as arthritic joint conditions. Dr. Gemas specializes in cutting-edge arthroscopic and other minimally- invasive procedures, total joint replacement, and general fracture care.

About Robert Henderson, MD

Dr. Henderson has 20 years of experience in dealing with chronic back pain patients. Since 1987, his practice has been devoted to the proper diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Henderson has a patient-centered ideology and remains involved with studies overseen by the FDA relating to the expansion and improvement of patient outcomes with acute and chronic back and leg pain. Dr. Henderson is the current Vice President of the American College of Spine Surgery. He has spoken nationally and internationally and has demonstrated surgical techniques worldwide. He has also published chapters on surgical techniques in several orthopedic and neurosurgical textbooks. Dr. Henderson completed Spine Fellowship training nationally and internationally.

About iVital

iVital, Inc. is dedicated to helping individuals lose their excess weight and keep it off with customized solutions built around the Lap-Band. We are defined by our unsurpassed customer care and our personalized solutions which are designed based on the goals and lifestyles of each patient.

Our team of customer care advisors, advocates, nurses and physicians are here to ensure that you receive the utmost attention and care and the best possible weight loss solutions available today. From the moment you walk through our doors and throughout your relationship with iVital, you'll recognize a clear difference -- we are all about you.

About Manuel R. Ramirez, MD

Dr. "Manny" Ramirez has always been involved in Physician Owned Hospitals, having spent most of his childhood on the second floor of his Dad's, a general surgeon, General Hospital in the Philippines. Manny or Monchu, as some of his friends call him, received his medical degree at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. He has called Dallas home since 1980, while briefly practicing as a Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Surgeon from 1983-1989. Shortly thereafter he made a career change and finished his Anesthesiology/Pain Management Residency at the UT Southwestern in Dallas in1989. Then he became involved in physician partnership in the healthcare arena. He has helped found, develop, manage and grow various centers in the Dallas area including Plano Surgery Center, Medical Arts Surgery Center, Pine Creek Medical Center and The Surgery Center of Dallas.

About Michael Rimlawi, MD

Dr. Michael Rimlawi is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon, specializing in all aspects of cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine surgery. His unique education in dual orthopedic and neurospine surgery at the University of California included training in spine trauma, tumor, complex spine deformity, scoliosis, artificial disc, and minimally invasive spine surgery. His focus is on endoscopic laser spine surgery, which is the newest form of minimally invasive spine surgery. This technique involves an incision less than half the size of current minimally invasive surgeries, which allows patients to quickly return to normal activities. Dr. Rimlawi was the first surgeon in Texas to perform this technique. He is a conference lecturer and trains other spine surgeons around the country on the latest minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Rimlawi is also a regular spinal consultant expert on various radio and TV stations, and has served as a scientific spine advisor to nu merous international spine technology companies.

About Timothy Thomason, M.D.

Dr. Thomason joined the Medical and Surgical Clinic of Irving in August 2007. A Dallas area native, he graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University before returning to the metroplex to attend UT Southwestern Medical School, where he also completed his residency training. As an otolaryngologist, Dr. Thomason is trained in the medical and surgical treatment of a wide range of disorders affecting children and adults. His professional interests include ear surgery, allergy and sinus problems, surgical management of sleep apnea, and rhinoplasty. He is on staff at Baylor-Irving, Las Colinas Medical Center, Las Colinas Surgery Center, the Surgery Center of Dallas, and Pine Creek Medical Center in Dallas. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family and watching the Aggies and Dallas Cowboys. He is married and has two sons

About Eric Wieser, MD

Dr. Eric Wieser is the founder and medical director of the Texas Comprehensive Spine Center (TCSC) at Arlington Orthopedic Associates, a state-of-the-art medical facility offering full-service, comprehensive spine care. Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Wieser earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine followed by his residency at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and fellowship at UCLA School of Medicine. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society.

Dr. Wieser believes that patient education is vital to reaching the best possible outcome for patients. Therefore, Dr. Wieser spends ample time with each patient so they understand all treatment and rehabilitation options as well as diagnostic testing modalities including X-Rays, CT Scans and MRIs. Dr. Wieser's particular focus is minimally invasive spine surgery when possible. He is fellowship-trained in modern minimally invasive techniques as well as complex revision reconstructive spinal surgery.

About Douglas Won, MD

Dr. Won is a fellowship trained- spine surgeon specializing in cervical spine (neck) surgery, microscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery, scoliosis and complex spinal reconstructive surgery. He is uniquely trained in all aspects of spine surgery. He has completed multiple spine fellowships, which are considered the highest level of training in medical specialty concentrating in reconstruction of cervical spine, minimally invasive surgery, and adult reconstructive surgery. Dr. Won is very active in research and developing innovative care of spinal disorders. He has many publications in various scientific journals and textbooks and has lectured in all aspects of spinal disorders. He is also a clinical assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch where he graduated with honors and completed his internship and residency at Washington University / Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. As an Irving native and graduate of MacArthur High School, he takes tremendous pride in serving his home community.