Hospital Team
Gregory Byer, CSCS is our Hospital Bariatric Coordinator. He began his career with Windber Medical Center’s HealthStyles as an exercise physiologist. He also worked with Dr. Marley’s weight loss surgery program at that time providing exercise consults and assisting with support group. Greg added three more years of weight loss surgery program experience at Lancaster General Hospital and Excela Health Westmoreland. In 2010 Greg was excited to return Windber Medical Center team to again be a part of the weight loss surgery program.
With a background as an Exercise Physiologist, obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and as a National Strength & Conditioning Association’s Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist Greg enjoys counseling weight loss surgery patients and teaching them how to build individualized long term successful exercise plans.
As the Hospital Bariatric Coordinator Greg works in conjunction with the Alleghenies Surgical team, and Windber Medical Center, to ensure each patient’s surgical experience is not only the best possible, but long term support and care are excellent as well.
Pamela Rose, RD, LDN has served as a registered dietitian at Windber Medical Center for the past three years. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Messiah College where she majored in Dietetics. She completed her internship through the Johnstown Area Dietetic Internship Program. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association; the Pennsylvania Dietetic Association, and the Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group.
Pam has worked in the field of dietetics for over 25 years. She has been working with the Lap Band Program at Windber Medical Center for the past two years. She participates in the Lap Band Support Group meetings as well as pre-operative and post-operative lap band nutrition counseling. Pam enjoys personal nutrition coaching to help her patients achieve their weight loss goals and to experiment with different recipes and menu ideas.
Dr. Gregory J. Rys is a Pennsylvania Licensed Psychologist with a National Board Certification in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Certificate Instructor of Stress Management. Since 1981, he began training and continues to utilize Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy (CBT). Dr. Rys also approaches psychotherapy from a collaborative systems approach. He enjoys working as a team with patients, their loved ones and other medical professionals. He takes great pride in teaching his patients skills to help them to discover their own strengths and techniques to over-come their distress and enhance their well-being. Dr. Rys has been a practicing psychotherapist since 1983, In addition to being a therapist; he is also a trained scientist and researcher regarding the application acceptability and effectiveness of treatment programs.
Bernice Adams is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked with various support groups and has provided individual, family, and group therapy in a variety of settings. She is a graduate of the Wayne State University School of Social Work in Detroit, MI. She worked in the Social Service Department at the former Lee Hospital in Johnstown and continued to work for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center until joining WMC. Bernice worked in the Employee Assistance Program for UPMC.
Her responsibilities at WMC will include assessing weight loss surgery (bariatric) patients prior to surgery. She also provides postoperative counseling to help patients along their weight loss journey. Bernice provides additional services for the hospital such as working with the Integrated Cardiac Health programs, providing EAP services to WMC employees, and working with the breast care program. She is excited and looks forward to working with our patients.
Marlene Suto-Walters, MSW, LCSW has been a practicing social worker/therapist for 22 years. Her undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree was from the University of Pittsburgh @ Johnstown, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Mrs. Walters’ graduate education and Master of Social Work degree were obtained at the University of Pittsburgh. Employed by Somerset Hospital since 2000, she has also practiced at Bedford-Somerset MH/MR and Croyle-Serbin Therapeutic Associates as a private practice mental health therapist. With 10 years experience evaluating bariatric surgery candidates, Alleghenies Surgical patients may schedule evaluations by calling (814)443-9986.
