Consultants
Grant Coulter and Ross Roberts are two experienced specialist surgeons that are leaders in their field. Their collective expertise and shared concern for your well being ensures you receive the very best of care and the very best of results.
Grant Coulter MB ChB, FRACS
Grant is a specialist surgeon with over 20 years experience.
Ross Roberts MB ChB, FRACS
Ross initially trained in Christchurch and has subsequently has both training and experience overseas. Ross is a foundation surgeon at SOS and has a particular interest and specialty skills in obesity surgery and sees an increasing role for minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Richard Flint PhD FRACS
Richard completed his surgical training in Christchurch before heading to the United States for further experience. He worked at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital as the Harvard University Fellow in minimally invasive surgery. He then moved to New York City where he was the Surgical Oncology Fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer centre. He has recently returned to Christchurch and brings a strong experience and expertise in laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, and laparoscopic sleeve Gastrectomy.
Frances Carter PhD, Dip Clin Psych, Member of The NZ College of Clinical Psychologists
Frances is a clinical psychologist who has worked with people with disordered eating for approximately fifteen years. She has published papers in peer reviewed journals looking at a range of topics including: the effectiveness of psychological interventions for disordered eating, the effect of depression on weight and the impact of disordered eating on weight and interpersonal functioning. She is a member of the Otago University Obesity Research Consortium.
Debbie Osborn
Debbie is a Registered Nurse with over 10 years experience specializing in gastro-intestinal disorders. Debbie’s focus in obesity surgery is that of educating and supporting her patients through their journey to weight loss.
Clarice Hebblethwaite BSc Hons Nutrition and Dietetics, NZ and UK Registered Dietitian
Clarice has several years experience both as chef and has been a practising dietitian for over 12 years. Working both in New Zealand and the UK in the public hospitals and in private practice, Clarice brings her expertise to those people having gastric banding surgery. She has specialised skills in dietary needs before and after surgery to the gastrointestinal tract and in guiding people to achieve their goals of weight loss. Clarice is particularly interested in helping people make realistic and practical changes to their diet with confidence.
Meg Shannon BSc HUNT, PGDip Diet (distinction), NZRD
Meg is a NZ Registered Dietitian with a strong background in research, coordinating clinical studies including numerous trials in cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disease. She is a skilled dietary consultant specialising in diabetes, lipid disorders, polycystic ovarian syndrome, obesity and dietary support for weight loss surgery. Meg utilises her research and clinical skills to promote healthy lifestyles through practical, evidence based recommendations.
Vanessa Warren (Exercise Consultant)
Vanessa works as a certified Personal Trainer with 18 years experience in the fitness industry, specialising in weight loss, cardiovascular fitness and women’s health issues. She is available to work with you in your home or at her fitness studio. Vanessa joins the team at SOS to help clients to reach their lifestyle goals and she is passionate about assisting people to obtain overall health and wellbeing in a safe, holistic way.
Debbie Hannah
(Team Co-ordinator/Medical Secretary)
Debbie worked originally with Grant Coulter, working with patients from SOS since SOS started in March 2007. She recently joined our team in July 2009 and comes with a real passion and a wealth of knowledge. She attended a nurse’s symposium in 2007 and looks forward to working with new and existing patients.