Meet the Bariatric Team
When you choose Southwest General's Center for Bariatric Surgery for your weight loss needs, you’ll benefit from the surgical excellence and experience of a multidisciplinary team of compassionate providers who tailor their care to your individual needs. From specialized state-of-the-art surgical equipment to hospital facilities capable of providing specialty care for obese patients, we will take the very best care of you.
Bariatric surgery is such an incredible opportunity, not only for weight loss but also to significantly improve or potentially even resolve other medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Bariatric surgery not only allows for significant improvement in health and medical conditions, but it also significantly extends patients’ lives.
Leslie Pristas, DO, FACS
Medical Director of Bariatric SurgeryDr. Leslie Pristas is the medical director and board-certified general surgeon for the Center for Bariatric Surgery at Southwest General. An experienced bariatric surgeon, she formerly practiced at the nationally recognized Center for Bariatric Surgery at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.
Dr. Pristas began practicing weight loss surgery as part of her medical residency training program and says she found it extremely inspiring how much patients benefit from the results of the procedure in every aspect of their lives.
Dr. Pristas earned her medical degree from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at Keesler Air Force Base Medical Center in Mississippi.
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FACT: Weight loss surgery is the beginning of your lifelong commitment to wellness. We’ll be by your side every step of the way. Click below to schedule a consultation.

Christine Miceli, PA-C
Clinical DirectorChristine Miceli has been practicing in the field of bariatrics since 2005. She is board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is a member of the Ohio Association of Physician Assistants, The American Academy of Physician Assistants, and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
She graduated from Cuyahoga Community College with an associate degree in surgical physician assisting and received her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from A.T. Still University.

Colleen Rundle, PA-C
Physician AssistantColleen earned her Bachelor's Degree in biology from Walsh University and her Master of Science Degree from Case Western Reserve University Medical School. Colleen is also NCCPA Board Certified.

Cynthia Aron, MS, RD, LD
Bariatric DietitianCynthia has more than 12 years of experience working as a registered dietitian. She provides pre- and post-surgery nutrition counseling and education to bariatric surgery patients.
Cynthia is registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and licensed in the state of Ohio. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and belongs to the Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group. She earned her master’s degree in public health nutrition from Case Western Reserve University.

Staci Cortelezzi, MS, RDN, LD
Bariatric DietitianStaci received her master’s degree in dietetics and completed her dietetic internship at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, WI. Staci's practice focuses on pre- and post-surgery nutrition counseling for patients undergoing weight loss surgery. Her goal is to guide patients toward a healthy lifestyle by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to achieve long-term success.

Tanielle Russell
Patient AdvocateTanielle has been a patient advocate at the Center for Bariatric Surgery since 2015. She assists patients with navigating the bariatric surgery experience from start to finish. Tanielle enjoys interacting with patients and being part of their journey toward a healthier lifestyle.

Dawn Cupach, CNP
Nurse PractitionerDawn earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Cuyahoga Community College, her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ohio University, and her master's degree in nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing. Dawn is board-certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners with a Family Nurse Practitioner certificate. She is also a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses.

Erica Lough, MSN, FNP-C
Nurse PractitionerErica earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Lorain County Community College, her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ohio University, and her master’s degree in nursing from Walden University. Erica is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
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Receive care from our nationally accredited team who have helped thousands of patients just like you. Click below to receive more information.
The staff has been great. One of the things that really hit home when I first started was, they said once you're our patient, you're our patient for life. They really mean that. - ROB, Lost 195 pounds