Edward Felix, M.D., F.A.C.S. - Clovis Community Bariatric Program Medical Director
As one of the leading surgeons in the nation for bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, Dr. Felix was the first surgeon in central California to use advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques to treat patients. As the director of an advanced laparoscopic center in Fresno, specializing in minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Felix has performed more than 2,000 gastric bypasses, 97% laparoscopically. The center treats more than 600 patients a year and offers full service bariatric care including a dietitian and fitness practitioner.
Dr. Felix is an internationally known expert in laparoscopic surgery. He is sought after for his lectures and teaches advanced techniques to surgeons around the world. Dr. Felix also is an assistant clinical professor of surgery at the University of California, San Francisco Fresno Medical Education Program located on the Community Regional Medal Center campus and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Bariatric Society. He has authored scientific articles published in peer reviewed journals and several chapters in surgical textbooks.
He received his medical degree in 1971 from the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago, joined the National Institute of Health Cancer as a fellow and completed his surgical residency at University of Illinois, where he later was appointed assistant professor in the department of surgery. In 1980, Dr. Felix left Illinois to set up a private practice in Fresno, California, where he practiced from 1980 to 1990, specializing in the surgical treatment of cancer patients and soon after became a specialist in bariatric surgery. Back to top
Daniel E. Swartz, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Swartz graduated from McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Canada in 1994. He received a Masters of Science degree in 1998 and completed his general surgery residency at McGill in 2000. He subsequently did a fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery and Surgical Endoscopy at the University of Maryland and joined the Department of Surgery at the University of California, San Diego as Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery.
Dr. Swartz joined Dr. Edward Felix at the Advanced Bariatric Center in 2002, where together they provide care to patients seeking permanent weight loss and a cure to their many obesity-related medical diseases.
He is an active member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He has been widely published in a number of surgical and science topics in various publications.
Dr. Swartz specializes in advanced laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery and particularly bariatric surgery and has performed over 1,000 procedures including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy. He also performs numerous endoscopic procedures and is working to develop new endoluminal surgical procedures. Back to top
Carlos M. Juarez, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Juarez received his medical degree from the University of California at San Francisco in 1990 and completed his surgical training at the UCSF surgical program in Fresno, CA, in 1995.
An early adaptor of minimally invasive laparoscopic approaches to surgery; Dr. Juarez has been performing minimally invasive surgery as a partner with Surgical Associates of Fresno Medical Clinic, Inc., since 1996. This vast laparoscopic experience culminated in his founding California Bariatrics in 2004 and performs laparoscopic gastric bypases, lap bands and laparoscopic sleeve gatrectomies.
In addition to his clinical skills and duties, he has served as Chairman of the Surgical Departments at Community Medical Centers and St. Agnes Medical Center and is an active participant in Quality Assurance Committees at the Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital, Clovis Community Medical Center and St. Agnes Medical Center. Back to top
Zafar Parvez, M.D.
Dr. Zafar Parvez earned his degree in 1977 from the University of Karachi in Pakistan. From 1978 to 1982, he worked under the direction of doctors in England and Ireland. After completing his residency in general surgery in 1988 at Fairview General Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Parvez pursued a fellowship in thoracic surgery at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. Following his fellowship, Dr. Parvez served for a year as a thoracic staff surgeon there.
The following year, Dr. Parvez was a fellow of cardiovascular surgery at St. Vincent’s Charity Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, and became an attending trauma surgeon at St. Vincent’s Level 1 trauma center upon completion of his fellowship in 1991.
In 1992, he returned to Pakistan for a year to pursue private practice in general surgery at Ziauddin Memorial Hospital in Karachi. He then served as a general surgeon at St. Jones Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital and Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital in New York. From 1994 to 1999, he operated a general surgery private practice at Anson County Hospital, Hamlet Hospital and Richmond County Hospital in North Carolina.
Dr. Parvez came to the Central Valley in 1999. Currently, he practices general, bariatric and minimally invasive surgery at Clovis Community Medical Center, Community Regional Medical Center, Madera Community Hospital and St. Agnes Medical Center, where he was chairman of the department of surgery from 2004-2005. He also has had several papers published on the topics of thoracic surgery and thoracic cancer. Back to top
Kelvin Higa, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Higa graduated from UCLA medical school in 1983. He is board certified in General Surgery. After completing his residency training in 1988, he served as Chief of Vascular Surgery at the VA Medical Center in Fresno. In 1990, he entered private practice but has continued to devote a large amount of time to teaching while serving as Chief of Surgery for Community Medical Centers as well as Saint Agnes Medical Center.
Dr. Higa has been performing open bariatric surgical procedures since the early 1990’s, long before it became popular. He and his partner Dr. Boone performed the first laparoscopic gastric bypass in the Central Valley in 1998 and pioneered the current technique used by many surgeons throughout the world. He and Professor Paul Obrien from Australia performed the very first laparoscopic adjustable gastric band in Fresno.
Dr. Higa specializes in difficult and challenging cases, including revision bariatric surgery. He serves as associate editor for many peer reviewed journals and has authored many original articles and book chapters regarding bariatric surgery and complication management. In addition to his title of Clinical Professor of Surgery at the UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program, Dr. Higa has been appointed to the National Faculty for Bariatric Surgery by the American College of Surgeons. He is the Immediate Past President for the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and continues to chair many international conferences devoted to bariatric surgery. Back to top
Keith Boone, M.D., F.A.C.S
Dr. Boone was born and raised in the central San Joaquin Valley. He received his bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara and attended the University of Southern California School of Medicine. After completing residency in General Surgery, Dr. Boone fulfilled a commitment to the United States Navy, including aircraft carrier and battle group surgeon in the Persian Gulf, and teaching surgical residents at UC Davis where he held the title of assistant clinical professor in surgery.
Dr. Boone joined Dr. Higa in 1996 and helped develop the “hand-sewn” gastrojejunal anastomotic technique used by many surgeons in performing the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Dr. Boone has demonstrated this technique via live tele-surgery to many national conferences and has authored and co-authored many peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on weight-loss surgery. Together, Dr. Boone and Dr. Higa have performed several thousand weight-loss procedures.
Dr. Boone is currently the Director of Fellowship Education for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Associates Medical Group (ALSA), a group devoted to “specializing in minimally invasive solutions to general surgery problems”. This program is accredited through the UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program where Dr. Boone also holds the title of associate clinical professor in surgery. He is an active member of the American Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeons (ASMBS), the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He enjoys teaching minimally invasive techniques at national and international meetings. Back to top
Denise Helgeson, R.N., C.B.N.
As bariatric program coordinator for the Clovis Community Weight-Loss Surgery Center, Denise Helgeson has cared for thousands of weight-loss patients, helping Clovis Community Medical Center perform bariatric procedures, helping patients live a more healthful lifestyle.
As a registered nurse and a certified bariatric nurse, Helgeson coordinates a highly qualified team of physicians, nurses and hospital staff, while providing the highest standard of care to weight loss patients. The team has won accolades from thousands of patients and received accreditation as a bariatric surgery Center of Excellence by the American College of Surgeons.
Most patients will meet Helgeson before surgery for preadmission and educational tours of Clovis community’s weight-loss program. Patients recovering from surgery will often see her accompanying physicians and nurses on daily rounds. Much of Helgeson’s purpose as a coordinator is to continually work at improving quality and comfort for patients. She educates the staff on providing solutions for the unique needs of weight loss patients.
Helgeson believes weight loss patients at Clovis Community should expect high-quality, personalized service in a comfortable and quiet atmosphere. As the coordinator, much of her daily work goes unseen by weight-loss patients, but the results of her efforts can be seen in the growing number of patients who choose Clovis Community for weight-loss surgery and the tools they receive for a healthier future, both physically and emotionally. Back to top
