We have a comprehensive team of professionals to help you achieve your goals. Before and after your surgery, you will have appointments with me, but you will also have close contact with the people below. Your success is our main priority so we have a very talented group available to support you lifelong after surgery. I am honored to work with all of these people.
Dr. Meredith Sweeney MD, FACS, FASMBS - Board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon practicing in Louisville, KY since 2014. I was born in the Chicago area and completed all of my education in Illinois. I moved to Louisville in 2006 for residency and decided to stay here permanently in 2011. My patient philosophy is a very comprehensive one. Your relationship with me isn't just limited to your surgery itself. We have in depth discussions and education both before and after your surgery to ensure life-long success. I fully embrace the fact that surgery is not an easy decision to come to and my patients bring with them a long history relating to their weight. We work through multiple aspects of your life to get you the results you want. The best part of my job is watching people transform into the healthiest version of themselves and curing their obesity-related diseases.
Registered Dieticians
Jennifer Kyser, RD, CSWOM, LD
Jennifer graduated from Murray State University and completed her dietetic internship at Spalding University. She is also board certified specialist in obesity and weight management (CSOWM). She has been employed here since 2007 and has been specializing in weight management for over 15 years. Her role here at the center is to provide you guidance on nutrition and wellness before and after weight loss surgery. Jennifer's favorite part of her job is working with patients after surgery. It is very important to follow up with a dietitian after surgery for ongoing nutrition counseling so that we can provide specific recommendations to you. She is available for in person and telehealth visits. She is also available by phone and email or any questions that may come up. Think of her as your personal health coach and/or cheerleader.
Carrie Kirkland, RD, LD
Meet Carrie. She graduated from University of Kentucky in 2016 with a Bachelors of Science in Dietetics degree. She joined our bariatric team in spring 2019, and has worked for Norton Healthcare since 2017. Carrie loves her job as a registered dietitian because each day she gets to educate and encourage patients to build a healthy relationship with food and emphasize lifestyle changes versus dieting. Carrie is passionate about whole foods nutrition and its impact on our health. One of the most rewarding parts of her job is working with patients both before and after surgery and how greatly weight loss surgery changes their life. Carrie enjoys cooking, yoga, and traveling.
Medical Assistant
Samantha Sanders, CMA,
Samantha graduated from ATA College in 2011 with a dual degree in certified medical assisting and limited medical radiography. She is the clinical lead medical assistant within the bariatric surgery program and has been doing that since 2014. When you call the office or come in for an appointment, she is likely the first person you will talk to or see. Samantha has been working with Dr. Sweeney for over 6 years. She understands our patient's unique needs and answers their questions quickly and efficiently.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
Jennifer Sustek DNP, APRN
Jenn earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Louisville in 2010 after which she spent eight years working as a critical care nurse in both cardiac ICU and neurosurgical ICU. She then earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Kentucky in 2017. Since that time she has worked with Dr. Meredith Sweeney and Norton Surgical Specialists as an acute care nurse practitioner. Specializing in bariatric surgery we have the privilege of helping patients realize their health and weight loss goals through surgery and follow up care. She is an integral part of our team assisting in the operating room, as well as seeing patients in the hospital and office.
Ashley Hitchcock Williams DNP, APRN
Ashley is a Louisville native who received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Louisville in 2001 and became an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner after obtaining her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Kentucky in 2018. Her primary roles at the Norton Weight Management Center are assisting the surgeons in the operating room and patient follow up in the hospital and office settings. Along with the challenge of working in the operating room, she feels like the most important part of her job is supporting and educating our patients in order to help them be successful in their weight loss journey and help them actively participate in the improvement of their health.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Melissa Moody, LCSW
Melissa earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Tennessee in 2002 and has been licensed as a social worker since 2006. She has practiced in multiple settings, including community mental health and employment assistance counseling. She has been employed at the center as a behavioral weight management specialist since 2010. Her role at the center is to provide support and encouragement to patients before and after surgery. She particularly finds it rewarding to work with patients following their surgery. Her goal is to help patients develop new strategies for coping with feelings common to the post- surgery period. She understands that life after surgery not only involves dietary changes, but can also be a very emotional journey. She emphasizes to the patient the importance of self-care and helping patients who use overeating as a coping mechanism since emotional eating often leads to weight re-gain. She is here to assist you after surgery if you are returning to old eating behaviors or struggling with motivation. In addition, she can provide resources if you are struggling with food addiction. Receiving emotional and behavioral support following surgery is crucial in maintaining lifestyle changes essential for long term success. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her family.