Meet Our Team

 

K. Bruce Jones, MD

Dr. Jones has performed bariatric surgery since 1989. A graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, Dr. Jones is certified in Surgery by the American Board of Surgery, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons and a participant in the ASMBS bariatric database. Dr. Jones has a Focus Practice Designation in Metabolic Bariatric Surgery through the American Board of Surgery. a He specializes in general, minimally invasive, bariatric, surgery, and therapeutic endoscopy.  Dr. Jones is an advocate for excellent health care in our community.  He serves on many leadership boards and committees to ensure patients are getting the best care available.  In addition, Dr. Jones currently serves as a governor in the American College of Surgeons and has served as president of the Arkansas chapter of the American College of Surgeons.

 

 

 

 

Gayla Smith, RN, ACM, CBN / Bariatric Coordinator

Gayla is the Bariatric Coordinator for the NEA Baptist Bariatric Surgery program. She is a Registered Nurse with national certifications in case management and bariatric nursing.  Gayla works closely with our surgeons to provide our patients excellent care.  Her goal is to ensure that bariatric surgery patients are supported, educated, and prepared for their weight loss surgery journey. She also facilitates our monthly Bariatric Support Group and Nutrition Class.

 

 

 

 

 

Heleena Sykes, Bariatric Surgery Navigator

Heleena serves as the liaison between patients and their insurance companies.  She verifies insurance benefits, assists patients in collecting necessary documentation to obtain authorization for surgery, answers all questions regarding insurance approval criteria, and provides patients with estimates for surgery.