Our bariatric surgery program serves the North Brooklyn area primarily as well as the rest of the five boroughs of New York City. Our practice has two expert bariatric surgeons with decades of training and experience between them as well board-certified physician assistants, a dietician, and nurse. The team includes:
- Javier Andrade, MD, FACS, FASMBS, the founder of the Woodhull Bariatric Surgery Program, both the Chief of Surgery and the Director of Peri-Operative Services at Woodhull Medical Center
- Adam Gendy, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained, and daVinci-certified bariatric and minimally-invasive surgeon
- Michelle Desrochers, a registered dietician
- Pamela Lebron, PA-C, a licensed Physician Assistant
- Carmen Espinoza, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed Physician Assistant
- Zulay Roman, RN, a Registered Nurse
Our team which prides itself at being at the forefront of education and innovation has presented at multiple distinguished meetings and conferences including the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), the Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons (SLS), and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). We have been recognized by both the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American Board of Surgery (ABS) as an accredited metabolic and bariatric center as well as a surgical quality partner.
Name of Team member
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Bio
Dr. Javier Andrade, MD
Dr. Javier Andrade is an experienced Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgeon committed to helping patients achieve their health goals. After completing his medical degree in Universidad Central de Venezuela, he pursued advanced surgical and research training at institutions like MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, and the University of Texas Medical Branch, followed by a specialized fellowship in Laparo-endoscopic and Bariatric Surgery at the University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital. With over 3,000 advanced laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures performed, Dr. Andrade focuses on providing high-quality care, particularly for underserved communities. He currently serves as Chief of Surgery and Perioperative Services at NYC Health + Hospitals / Woodhull, where he works with a dedicated team to offer inclusive surgical weight loss services. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Dr. Andrade also contributes to medical education as an Associate Editor for Advances in Obesity, Weight Management & Control. His approach centers on empowering patients to improve their quality of life through accessible, compassionate surgical care.
Dr. Adam Gendy, MD
Adam Gendy, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained, Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgeon at Woodhull Medical Center.
Born and raised in NYC, Dr. Gendy is a New Yorker through and through. He completed his undergraduate studies at SUNY-Binghamton in Upstate NY and later went on to attend medical school at the Lewis Katz Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA.
He then returned to NYC to complete his general surgery residency at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center before completing the minimally invasive surgery fellowship at Northwell Health – Staten Island University Hospital.
He has numerous publications and his work has been presented at national meetings.
Dr. Gendy loves taking care of bariatric surgery patients. To him, this field is the perfect merging of his two greatest passions: surgery and fitness. Dr. Gendy believes in taking a tailored approach to the needs of each of his patients, taking all the time necessary to understand the struggles they have faced as well as to help understand their goals, hopes, and aspirations. Many patients have had longstanding issues with dealing shame and guilt, often from themselves but also from those around them. By the time, these individuals arrive to the Weight Loss Center at Woodhull, they have had enough and are ready to embark on the journey to improve their lives. These individuals meet Dr. Gendy, discuss their medical issues at length, establish their weight loss goals, and set their fitness expectations. Weight-loss surgery is not just about looking a certain way, it’s about improving quality of life and prolonging life expectancy.
Michelle Desrochers, RD
Michelle Desrochers is a registered dietitian and the Woodhull Bariatric Surgery program coordinator with over 20 years of experience. After graduating from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 2000, Ms. Desrochers worked as a staff dietician in both the inpatient and outpatient settings for 18 years at Wyckoff Hospital and after that at Harlem Hospital for two years as their program coordinator. Since joining Woodhull in 2022, in addition to her role as a dietician, Ms. Desrochers has been helping patients get through the bariatric surgery process, from navigating their appointments to helping resolve any insurances issues.
In her free time, Ms. Desrochers enjoys cooking for family, spending time with her friends, and traveling whenever she can.
Pamela Lebron, PA-C
Carmen Espinoza, DMSc, PA-C
Carmen Espinoza is a licensed Physician Assistant. She graduated from CUNY School of Medicine, completing her Physician Assistant studies. Carmen has also completed the Doctor of Medical Science Doctorate degree at A.T. Still University. Carmen joined the Bariatric Surgery team as a Physician Assistant in 2021. She loves to treat bariatric patients and works with them to optimize their health. Carmen strives to provide high-quality care and values continuity of care. She also currently specializes in Robotic Surgery, Urology, ENT, Orthopedics, Emergency Room and Urgent Care. She speaks English and Spanish. On her time off, Carmen enjoys spending time with her family.
