Dr. Fontan provides solutions to metabolic, weight loss and gastroesophageal reflux diseases for the people of New Mexico. He is the only robotically trained weight loss surgeon in New Mexico.
Born and raised in Argentina, Dr. Fontan speaks English and Spanish fluently, bringing a bilingual treatment option for his patients. Dr. Fontan studied medicine at Universidad de Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires in Argentina. He completed his residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD and at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston, MA. He completed his fellowship in Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery at the University of Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.
Dr. Fontan performs robotically-assisted sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and duodenal switch bariatric procedures. Importantly, robotic surgery can mean less pain and shorter recovery times for patients.
When asked about what kind of patient care Dr. Fontan brings to the Memorial team, he explains that his passion for practicing medicine is driven by the long-term relationships he develops with his patients while treating them. Dr. Fontan states, “our practice is an interdisciplinary group of highly motivated professionals to tailor therapy to each individual in order to achieve the best possible outcome.”
When not at work, Dr. Fontan likes to paint, hike, and spend time with his family.
Dr. Felts is a Board Certified Surgeon. He has over 10 years of experience in Bariatric Surgery and established the first Comprehensive Bariatric Center in Las Cruces. After a brief elective leave of absence to pursue a dream of sailing from Annapolis to the British Virgin Islands, Dr. Felts was excited to return to Las Cruces to develop the same high quality, comprehensive program in affiliation with Memorial Medical Center.
Dr. Felts earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University, his medical degree from Texas A&M College of Medicine, and completed his General Surgery Residency at Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas. Dr. Felts is Board Certified by The American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Felts also serves on the Rural Area Surgeon Committee of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
He his wife Karla enjoy all of the outdoor activities of New Mexico, as well as the culture and arts of this beautiful state.
Dr. Justin Boland received his Ph.D. in Counseling and Educational Psychology from New Mexico State University and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Phoenix VA Hospital, where he specialized in Primary Care Mental Health Integration and Medical Psychology. Dr. Boland works with our patients to conduct bariatric pre-surgical evaluations and provides psychological support to our patients post-surgery.
Dr. Boland assists patients by learning about their previous barriers to success and by teaching them a variety of cognitive, behavioral, and mindfulness based skills and strategies to improve their overall health and well-being. His specialty areas include: anxiety reduction, sleep hygiene, tobacco cessation, and the treatment of substance abuse and eating disorders.
Melissa Livingston grew up in Alamogordo, New Mexico, choosing to complete her undergraduate nursing provisions in Las Cruces where she has cared for the diverse health needs of our community within the hospital for more than 11 years. She is honored to continue to serve the comprehensive health demands of our community through the extensive education and clinical proficiency as a doctorate prepared family nurse practitioner obtained from NMSU. Melissa’s commitment to integrative, holistic care across the life span centers on prevention precludes problems enhancing knowledge of physical and mental health, nutritional guidance, and inspiring wellness through her enthusiastic, compassionate approach to care. Melissa is certified in obesity medicine with a Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine and provides individualized nutritional counseling and therapies for ideal health emphasizing “Wellness is Worth It.”
Melissa Livingston received her doctorate of nursing practice specializing in family nurse practitioner from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico where she completed clinical and research requirements in care areas of acute care, urgent care, primary care, emergency and intensive care, pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, and administrative leadership.
Jimmie Hauser is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who specializes in weight management; bariatric surgery pre- and post-surgical nutritional counseling; prevention and treatment of obesity-related comorbidities; and medication management for weight management. She is also certified in obesity medicine. Jimmie was born and raised in New Mexico, and enjoys serving our diverse cultures and contributing to our strong sense of community in Southern New Mexico.
She decided to pursue a career in medicine because she saw many people suffering from illnesses and diseases which could be managed through lifestyle changes. She earned her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from New Mexico State University and her Master's of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Our team of experienced and knowledgeable medical professionals is dedicated to ensuring your weight loss journey is a positive one that leads to a happier and healthier lifestyle for years to come. Our surgeries are performed at Memorial Medical Center, which has been designated a Blue Distinction® Center for Bariatric Surgery. Memorial also recently renewed our Joint Commission Certificate of Distinction for Bariatric Surgery and is an Accredited Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).
Whatever questions or concerns you have, we are here to answer them. From selecting the best surgery for you to prepping your home prior to your procedure, we offer the guidance you need to be an empowered patient. Learn more about our weight loss program by registering for a free online seminar or setting up a consultation.
We have performed bariatric weight loss surgery in Las Cruces for many years and have helped thousands of people find a happier and healthier lifestyle with the help of our surgical and non-surgical weight loss procedures.
