James D. Atkinson, MD, FACS

James D. Atkinson, MD, FACS earned his medical degree from the University of Nevada, after receiving a bachelor's degree from Portland State University. Dr. Atkinson completed his residency at the University Medical Center of Las Vegas where he trained in bariatric surgery and trauma surgery, and served as chief resident in surgery in 2000. After his surgical residency, Dr. Atkinson specialized in advanced laparoscopy. He then became a consultant for Ethicon Endo-surgery and a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

A native of Las Vegas, Dr. Atkinson's practice is devoted exclusively to weight-loss surgery. "It is important for the community to know that our entire practice is dedicated 100 percent to bariatrics," Dr. Atkinson said. "This is our fulltime commitment and we do not perform other types of surgeries."

In addition to performing surgery, Dr. Atkinson has had visits by more than 100 surgeons from across the nation who came to learn his techniques and procedures. His achievements include induction into the distinguished medical honor society Alpha Omega Alpha, earning a spot as one of "America's Top Surgeons" in 2002, and being featured in MD News.

Bernie Hanna, MD, FACS

Bernie Hanna, MD, FACS, is a general and bariatric surgeon who has practiced in Southern Nevada since 2000 and joined the staff of Desert Springs Hospital in 2009. Dr. Hanna completed his undergraduate training at Barry University in Miami, Florida. He graduated from Howard University Medical School and General Surgery residency program. He currently serves as an assistant clinical professor at the University Of Nevada School Of Medicine and has served as part of the trauma surgery team at University Medical Center.

Dr. Hanna received "Top Surgeon" honors in 2002 and 2003, and achieved the "Top Doctor" award for 2006 and 2007. He serves as a panel physician for bariatric surgery for Your Health Magazine. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Surgeons, a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the National Medical Association, the Nevada State Medical Association, Clark County Medical Society, the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care and the Society for Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.

Dr. Hanna offers gastric banding, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and the gastric sleeve procedures.

Darren Soong, MD, FACS

A native of Hawaii, Darren Soong. MD, FACS graduated from UCLA in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, and earned his medical degree at the University of Hawaii in 1990. Dr. Soong completed his residency at the University Of Nevada School Of Medicine in 1995, where he was promoted to Chief Resident.

A certified Lap-Band system surgeon, Dr. Soong uses advanced techniques and technology for gastric band surgery. In prior practices, the doctor specialized in multiple types of surgeries including general, advanced laparoscopic, burn, advanced wound care, trauma, and peripheral nerve surgery.

The doctor is a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also an assistant clinical professor at the University Of Nevada School Of Medicine, Department of Surgery and a member of the American Medical Association, Clark County Medical Society, Nevada State Medical Association, American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and the American Society of Bariatric Physicians.

Dr. Soong currently lives in Las Vegas with his wife and twin daughters.

Thomas Umbach, MD, FACS

Thomas Umbach, MD, FACS is board certified in general surgery, certified by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), and fellowship trained in advanced minimally invasive bariatric surgery at the University of Southern California. Fellowship training means that Dr. Umbach completed an additional year of one-on-one intensive education and training in minimally invasive bariatric surgery. He is the only bariatric surgeon in southern Nevada with this level of training who practices at a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence hospital.

He performed his residency in general surgery at Kaiser Permanente's Los Angeles Medical Center, received his Doctor of Medicine from the Medical College of Virginia and received his Bachelor of Science in Biology with Honors from the College of William and Mary. Dr. Umbach is bilingual in English and Spanish and offers seminars in both languages.

When Dr. Umbach isn't performing surgery, he enjoys camping, traveling, backpacking, flying as a private pilot, and home improvement projects.

The Center for Surgical Weight Loss

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The Center for Surgical Weight Loss

Please call our seminar reservation line, Direct Doctors Plus, at (702) 369-7919 to reserve a seat at our next seminar or register online.

Desert Springs Hospital’s Center for Surgical Weight Loss is nationally recognized as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery and provides gastric bypass and gastric band procedures on an inpatient and outpatient basis, depending on the patients’ situation and choice.

If you have questions about Desert Springs’ bariatric program please contact the Center for Surgical Weight Loss at (702) 369-7618.

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