Jill, BSN, RN

Clinic Director

Jill has been part of the Mercy Family for more than ten years since earning an Associate of Science in Nursing degree from Mercy College of Health Sciences. She went on to complete her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Grandview College. Before becoming the Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center manager in 2009, Jill was a nursing leader on one of Mercy's patient care floors. Jill is certified in Medical-Surgical Nursing through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.  Jill is committed to creating a center focused on excellence and offering high quality services. she is passionate about helping others reach their goals and living healthier lives.

Kris, RN

Program Nurse

Kris graduated form Mercy School of Nursing in 1979 and completed her BS in Health Care Administration in 2009. Kris has an extensive background as an operating room nurse, as well as clinical experience in cardiovascular thoracic surgery, urology and bariatrics. Kris provides direct patient care in clinic, teaches preoperative classes, participates in support groups and assists with community lectures.

Tracy, RN

Program Nurse

Tracy graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in 1991. Tracy joined the staff at Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center in 2006 after having gastric bypass herself in 2003. She has embraced the total lifestyle which impacts all aspects of life and family. Tracy provides direct patient care and education. She participates in the support groups and is able to provide insight from being a patient as well as a health care provider. In addition to her current duties in the clinic, she continues to work on the neurology floor at Mercy.

Marcia LPN, ICCE

OPTIFAST/OPTITRIM program nurse

Marcia has been part of the Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center team for more than 6 years. She realizes how important lifestyle changes are to being successful with weight-loss, which enables her to help and encourage the OPTIFAST® and OPTITRIM® clients reach their goals. “Our staff is dedicated and committed to help our clients make a safe and long-term lifestyle change," says Marcia. "We realize each patient is an individual and we treat each with respect and dignity," adds Marcia. Marcia's extensive nursing background includes working for OB/GYN physicians for 29 years and working in the Mercy NICU for seven years. She has also taught Mercy Childbirth Education classes for more than 20 years.

Heidi, R.D., L.D.

OPTIFAST/OPTITRIM program dietitian 

Heidi is a registered dietitian who earned her bachelor of science from Iowa State University, with a degree in dietetics. She completed her internship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Heidi has been a part of the Mercy team for more than five years. She leads the OPTIFAST® and OPTITRIM® informational sessions for Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center and helps teach intake sessions or nutrition classes when needed. She also works at Mercy West Lakes with acute patients and outpatients, and has some consulting facilities as well. She feels our programs have a great advantage by providing free lifetime membership, which helps provide life-long support to clients and fun activities to keep patients on track with their new healthy lifestyle after completing their chosen program.

Katie, R.D., L.D.

Program dietitian
Katie received her degree in dietetics from Iowa State University in 2006, where she also completed her internship in 2008.  She has worked for Mercy since 2006 and is currently the program dietitian for bariatric surgery and Intuitive Eating.  She also works with clients for outpatient dietitian counseling.  She is very excited to be working with such an established facility that teaches lifestyle changes and provides support and nutrition education to all of the programs participants and members.

Melanie, RN

Insurance Verification Nurse

Melanie graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in 1985. She brings a wealth of knowledge to this department from her 20 years of working in Critical Care, Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Cardiac Rehabilitation. As the insurance verifier, she helps the patients through the prior authorization process and assists with direct patient care. Melanie has been with the Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center since 2004 and continues to hone her nursing skills by work critical care on weekends. Melanie realizes how important lifestyle changes are, which enables her to help and encourage the patients. She participates in the support groups and enjoys the challenge of all aspects of nursing and the clinic environment.

Jill
Mental health counselor

Jill earned a Masters of Arts degree from Drake University in Psychology a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Studies with a specialization in Marriage and family Therapy from Iowa State University. Jill teaches Masters level students in Counselor Education at Drake University. She has spent most of her career providing counseling for employees, students and their family members and assisting them in all areas of their lives.  Jill has specialized in depression, anxiety, women’s issues, trauma, marital issues, relationship issues, attention deficit disorder, work issues, grief, loss, suicide, eating disorders, and life transitions.  As Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center’s Mental Health Therapist, Jill provides individual counseling and group sessions for patients. Jill enjoys helping patients gain greater insight and understanding of themselves so that they can make informed choices in their lives and how this impacts their eating, weight loss and relationships. 

Deb

Receptionist

Deb joined Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center in 2007 and is responsible for the essential functions of organization, maintenance, accuracy of medical records. She provides medical reception and clerical duties in the outpatient clinic setting. Deb initiates and completes the registration process including the interview and data entry for patient records.  Deb works closely with patients and staff. She provides direction for patients to appropriate staff and programs related to their weight loss experience. After having gastric bypass surgery herself she brings her own experiences and readiness to answer questions regarding the center.  

Sherrie
Program Secretary
Sherrie became the program secretary for Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center in 2009. Sherrie feels that the OPTIFAST®/OPTITRIM® Program helps individuals make lifestyle changes and provides support to be successful.

Shannon

Program secretary

Shannon has been a program secretary with Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center 2007.  She is currently enrolled at Des Moines Area Community College and is working on her associate of science degree in fitness and sports management with a sports nutrition emphasis.  She will then transfer to Iowa State University to obtain her bachelor of science degree in diet and exercise.  Shannon feels that the OPTIFAST®/OPTITRIM® Program stands out above other programs because of its life long commitment to patients and the structure to include all aspects of weight loss including behavior, exercise and diet issues.