The Medical Team

George R. Merriman II, MD, FASMBS

Contact: 318.222.3132

Know Your Surgeon:

• The first and most experienced LAP-BAND® and Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgeon in the Ark-La-Tex region
• Has performed over 3000 Bariatric cases
• Recognized "Center of Excellence" by the Surgical Review Corporation
• The first local Bariatric Surgeon certified on the DaVinci robotic operating system
• Is also an experienced laparoscopic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive surgery, gall bladder removal and hernia repair

Biography:

Dr. Merriman was born in Louisiana but grew up all over the South, including Arkansas, Texas and Alabama.  After his medical training, Dr. Merriman returned to his roots in Louisiana and joined The Mason-Itzig Clinic in 1992. After Dr. Itzig retired, the practiced changed its name to Surgical Specialists of Shreveport, LLC.

He has always been interested in all things technological, fostering his early interest in laparoscopy as well as surgical robotics. He is dedicated to remaining on the "cutting edge" of knowledge and innovation in his area of surgery.

He entertains himself with his inborn love of music (he has been an accomplished drummer since the age of 12), movies (especially sci-fi and westerns), speaking (he was the national college debate champion of 1983) and the Green Bay Packers (having made several "pilgrimages" to the frozen tundra of Lambeau field). He and his wife of more than 20 years, Katy, now run the medical practice together keeping the highest standards of patient care and service as their top priority.

Philosophy:

Dr. Merriman's well-rounded life experiences foster his commitment to treating his patients as more than their disease by following a simple philosophy — always treat people as an end unto themselves, and never as a means to an end.

Education:

M.D. (1992) - Medical School & Surgery Residency - University of Alabama Hospitals (Birmingham, AL)
B.S. Chemistry (1983) - Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX)

Credentials:

Board Certified, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
Fellow, American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (FASMBS)
Recognized "Center of Excellence" by the Surgical Review Corporation
Member, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
Member, Louisiana State Medical Society
Member, Shreveport Medical Society
Former Board of Director, Shreveport Medical Society

Nancy E. Pipkin PA-C
Physician Assistant

Contact: 318.222.3132

Nancy has been a member of our team at Surgical Specialists of Shreveport, LLC since 2006. She is a great support person for Dr. Merriman and is also available to do LAP BAND® adjustments.

Education:

LSU – B.S. – Kinesiology
LSU-HSC (2006) – Shreveport – Physician Assistant Program - B.S.

Credentials:

Fellow member of -
American Academy of Physician Assistants
Louisiana Academy of Physician Assistants
North West Chapter of the LAPA

Lisa Stansbury, MS, LDN, RD, CDE
Nutritionist & Medical Weight Loss

Contact: 318.222.3132 main, ext. 6

Lisa has worked with the practice since 2009. She handles all the Pre and Post-Operative nutrition instruction. She is also available for nutrition support appointments and she runs and manages the non-surgical, Medical Weight Loss service line in our practice.

Education:

BS, MS (1981, 1987) – Louisiana Tech University

Credentials:

Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Certified Diabetes Educator
Member, American Dietetic Association
Member, American Association of Diabetes Educators

Stacy Gregory, LPN
Nurse

Contact: 318.222.3132, ext. 3

Stacy has been a nurse with Surgical Specialists since 2008. She is available to our patients for any medical Pre and Post Operative questions.

Education:

LPN (2009) – LSU-Shreveport
Scrub Tech (1997) – Kilgore College

Credentials:

Member, National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses

Heather Hooker
Scrub Tech

Contact: 318.222.3132

Heather joined our team in 2011. She assists the medical team.

Education:

BPCC, Surgical Technology Certification, 2009