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Let the UF Health St. Johns Bariatrics program help you overcome your obstacles. With world-renowned bariatric surgeon Dr. Robert T. Marema serving as medical director, we can help you defeat obesity once and for all. We can help you determine if surgery is right for you and which procedure best suits your specific needs.
Our comprehensive program includes access to nutritionists, exercise physiologists, psychologists, GI specialists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists and plastic surgeons, in addition to spiritual and emotional support groups.
Nationally recognized as one of the most respected surgeons in bariatric
medicine, Dr. Marema has performed over 17,000 bariatric procedures.
Dr. Marema is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine.
He has served as a member of many reputable organizations, including the
American Medical Association and the Florida Medical Association. Dr.
Marema is a Fellow of the American College of Surgery and a Diplomat of
the American Board of Surgery, among others. He specializes in open and
laparoscopic surgery.
Having undergone successful bariatric surgery himself, Dr. Marema has a
unique understanding of the process, which allows him to be informative
and thorough with his patients as they navigate through their bariatric
medical treatment options.
Whitney Marema is a nurse practitioner with certification in functional medicine, allowing her to bridge conventional medicine with a lifestyle approach to disease, troublesome symptoms and dysfunction.
She provides post-operative care and coaching for bariatric patients in the UF Health St. Johns Bariatrics program, as well as providing functional medicine evaluations and treatment for individuals seeking to identify and treat the root cause of their complaints and dysfunctions.
Marema’s specialties include gut dysfunction, GI complaints such as GERD, bloating, IBS, food intolerances and sensitivities, as well as autoimmune diseases. She helps patients optimize their function and overall health using traditional and functional testing along with lifestyle modification, including clean eating.
Scott Hayford, Exercise Physiologist
Brandon D'Amato, Exercise Physiologist
Morgan Holl, Registered Dietitian
Angie Diaz, Medical Assistant
Natasha Stadler, Medical Assistant
Kathleen Rogers, Insurance Business Specialist
Ashley Prusak, Bariatric Surgery Scheduler
Carin Wiese, Office Supervisor
Angela Perdue, Customer Service Specialist
“What we were looking forward to the most after surgery was the lifestyle change and we are now living our life in a way that we were never able to before.”
"Embarking on the journey of weight loss surgery was one of the best decisions I've ever made for my health and overall ...
"The bariatric team of Dr. Marema and Mrs. Marema changed my life. I will always appreciate their assistance. For years, I ...
“I would recommend Dr. Marema and his team for two reasons - their knowledge and their compassion. I believe that Dr. Marema, having been a bariatric patient himself, understands where you're coming from and understands the challenges.”
“I don't consider myself a patient, I consider myself part of the family. Dr. Marema and his team provide as perfect of an experience as you could ask for.”