Clinical Focus


  • Pediatric nutrition and obesity
  • Pediatric environmental health
  • Pediatrics

Professional Education


  • Fellowship: Stanford University School of Medicine (1991) CA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Obesity Medicine, Obesity Medicine (2018)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics (1989)
  • Residency: University of Tennessee (1987) TN
  • Fellowship: University of California San Diego (1990) CA
  • Internship: University of Tennessee (1985) TN
  • Medical Education: University of Alabama School of Medicine (1984) AL

2023-24 Courses


All Publications


  • Pilot Evaluation of a Multidisciplinary Strategy for Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents and Young Adults with Obesity and Intellectual Disabilities. Obesity surgery Jones, R. E., Wood, L. S., Matheson, B. E., Pratt, J. S., Burgart, A. M., Garza, D., Shepard, W. E., Bruzoni, M. 2021

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s11695-021-05393-y

    View details for PubMedID 33797732

  • Experience With Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescent and Young Adult Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Patients: a Case Series and Review of the Literature Obesity Surgery Herdes, R. E., Abu El Haija, M., Johnson, K., Shepard, W., Zak, Y., Bruzoni, M., Pratt, J. S. 2021
  • A multidisciplinary approach to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy among multiethnic adolescents in the United States. Journal of pediatric surgery Jaramillo, J. D., Snyder, E. n., Farrales, S. n., Stevens, M. n., Wall, J. K., Chao, S. n., Morton, J. n., Pratt, J. S., Hammer, L. n., Shepard, W. E., Bruzoni, M. n. 2017

    Abstract

    Childhood obesity has become a serious public health problem in our country with a prevalence that is disproportionately higher among minority groups. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is gaining attention as a safe bariatric alternative for severely obese adolescents.A retrospective study on morbidly obese adolescents that underwent LSG at our institution from 2009 to 2017. Primary outcomes were weight loss as measured by change in BMI and percent excess weight loss (%EWL) at 1 year after surgery, resolution of comorbidities and occurrence of complications.Thirty-eight patients, of whom 71% were female and 74% were ethnic minorities, underwent LSG between 2009 and 2016. Mean age was 16.8years, mean weight was 132.0kg and mean BMI was 46.7. There were no surgical complications. Mean %EWL was 19.4%, 27.9%, 37.4%, 44.9%, and 47.7% at 1.5, 3, 6, 9, and 12month follow up visits, respectively. Comorbidity resolution rates were 100% for hypertension and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 91% for diabetes, 44% for prediabetes, 82% for dyslipidemia and 89% for OSA.LSG is an effective and safe method of treatment of morbid obesity in adolescents as it can significantly decrease excess body weight and resolve comorbid conditions. Further studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of LSG in adolescents.Descriptive case series with prospective database.IV.

    View details for PubMedID 28697852

  • Vitamin D-Deficient Rickets in a Child With Cow's Milk Allergy (vol 25, pg 394, 2010) NUTRITION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE Barreto-Chang, O. L., Pearson, D., Shepard, E., Longhurst, C. A., Greene, A. 2011; 26 (2): 208-208
  • Clinical resolution of severely symptomatic pseudotumor cerebri after gastric bypass in an adolescent SURGERY FOR OBESITY AND RELATED DISEASES Chandra, V., Dutta, S., Albanese, C. T., Shepard, E., Farrales-Nguyen, S., Morton, J. 2007; 3 (2): 198-200

    Abstract

    Pseudotumor cerebri is a disease characterized by increased intracranial pressure, often manifested by headaches, and occasionally leading to severe visual impairment or even blindness. Most cases in adolescents, as in adults, are associated with obesity. We report a 16-year-old morbidly obese adolescent girl (body mass index 42.3 kg/m(2)) with severely symptomatic pseudotumor cerebri who had progressive visual field deficits and elevated intracranial pressure (opening pressure on lumbar puncture of 50 cm H(2)O) despite intensive medical management and placement of both ventriculoperitoneal and lumboperitoneal shunts. Six months after she underwent gastric bypass surgery, she had lost 43% of her excess body weight and had had near complete regression of her visual field deficits, along with normalization of her intracranial pressures. This case demonstrates the dramatic reversal of symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri with surgically induced weight loss. Gastric bypass should be considered as a treatment option for adolescents with severe and progressive pseudotumor cerebri.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.soard.2006.11.015

    View details for PubMedID 17324634

  • Methamphetamine use following bariatric surgery in an adolescent OBESITY SURGERY Dutta, S., Morton, J., Shepard, E., Peebles, R., Farrales-Nguyen, S., Hammer, L. D., Albanese, C. T. 2006; 16 (6): 780-782

    Abstract

    Bariatric surgery is increasingly popular as a therapeutic strategy for morbidly obese adolescents. Adolescence represents a sensitive period of psychosocial development, and children with considerable weight loss may experience greater peer acceptance, accompanied by both positive and negative influences. Substance abuse exists as one of these negative influences. We present the case of an adolescent bariatric surgical patient who abused methamphetamines in the postoperative period, with consequent nutritional instability. A concerted effort must be made in the preoperative assessment of adolescent bariatric patients to delineate a history of illicit drug use, including abuse of diet pills and stimulants. Excessive postoperative weight loss or micronutrient supplementation non-compliance should raise a suspicion of stimulant use and appropriate screening tests should be performed. The consequent appetite suppression may manifest with signs of malnutrition such as bradycardia, hypotension, and weakness. Inpatient nutritional rehabilitation and psychiatric assessment should be considered.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000238156200019

    View details for PubMedID 16756743