Dr Murr is a Professor of Surgery at the University of South Florida and a leading authority in bariatric surgery nationwide. He pioneered laparoscopic gastric bypass in the Tampa Bay area and has done extensive research on obesity and its surgical treatment. He routinely participates in training other surgeons in weight loss procedures and has served as Director and Co-Director for continuing professional education courses on obesity. His comprehensive multi-disciplinary bariatric team performs over 300 weight loss surgeries a year.

Dr. Gallagher is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of South Florida. His interests are laparoscopic, bariatric, and endocrine surgery. He has worked with Dr. Murr since 1998, including clinical research as well as basic science research; his research interests encompass all aspects of bariatric surgery and the amelioration of obesity-related comorbidities as well as minimally invasive surgery, endocrine surgery, and the LapBand.

William Bakhos, M.D.
Bariatric Fellow
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Dr. Bakhos is currently an Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery Clinical Fellow at Tampa General Hospital. He completed his training in general surgery at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon. He assists in laparoscopic and open procedures as well as multiple ongoing research projects within the Bariatric Multidisciplinary Institute.

Shahram Salimitari, M.D.
Bariatric Fellow
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Dr. Salimitari is currently an Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery Clinical Fellow at Tampa General Hospital. He completed his training in general surgery at the Mount Sinai Medical Center of the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, IL. He assists in laparoscopic and open procedures as well as multiple ongoing research projects within the Bariatric Multidisciplinary Institute.

Susan Orellana
Bariatric Coordinator
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

In addition to her administrative duties for Dr. Murr, Susan conducts the Orientation Sessions and New Patient Support Group Meetings at Tampa General Hospital. She knows the issues all too well, as she has undergone gastric bypass surgery herself.

Tracy Torrella, M.A.
Clinical Research Specialist
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

With a B.S. Biomedical Sciences from USF, Tracy completed her M.A. Bioethics & Medical Humanities from the College of Medicine at USF in May 2006. She is responsible for coordinating all bariatric research projects, ensuring the clinical studies are performed with the highest standard of ethical conduct consistent with Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol and the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

Elizabeth Brustman
Database Specialist
University of South Florida/ Tampa General Hospital

Liz is responsible for data entry and management of the zBMI bariatric database. She also fulfills administrative duties for Dr. Gallagher.