Bariatric Surgery Team

Our bariatric surgeons, nutritionists and psychologists are each involved in providing you with ongoing support through your weight loss surgery and beyond, helping you understand the benefits, as well as the changes and challenges, that accompany life after bariatric surgery.

Physicians

Anthony DiBenedetto, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Medical Director, Bariatric Services

Anthony DiBenedetto, MD, is the Medical Director of Bariatric Services at Rochester Regional Health. He started the bariatric program at Rochester Regional Health in 2007 after running his own bariatric practice for six years. He is board certified by the American College of Surgeons and in General Surgery. He completed medical school and his residency at State University, Buffalo, NY. 

Alok Gandhi, DO, FACOS, FASMBS
Bariatric Surgeon

Alok D. Gandhi, DO, FACS is board certified in general surgery. He completed an internship and residency at St. Barnabas Hospital and a bariatric surgery fellowship at the University Medical Center at Princeton. Dr. Gandhi completed his undergraduate and medical school at the New York Institute of Technology / New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Gandhi is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons as well as a Fellow of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). He was elected to the Board of Trustees serving in the New York Chapter of the ASMBS by his fellow New York bariatric surgeons since 2010. In addition, he serves on several local and state committees focused on improving access to quality healthcare. He has published several papers in the fields of bariatric and general surgery.

Patricia Hughes, DO
Bariatric Surgeon

Patricia Hughes, DO, is the only female bariatric surgeon in the region. She treats patients at Unity Hospital's new bariatric center, along with Rochester General Hospital. She completed medical school at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and did her residency at St. John's Episcopal Hospital. She's a resident member of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and the American Osteopathic Association. 

Teresa DiBenedetto, RN, CNS
Clinical Nurse Specialist 

Teresa DiBenedetto is a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) who in the past 4 years has developed a strong interest in the bariatric field and has pursued a specialty in bariatric surgery.  She provides resources to staff, management, physicians, and other health team members regarding care of the bariatric patient.  She also counsels patients and coordinates the monthly support groups.  Teresa is a Registered Nurse (RN) who hold a Masters' of Science degree in Nursing, with a Clinical Nurse Specialist in critical care from the University at Buffalo State, University of New York.  She is a graduate of Niagara University where she received a Bachelors' of Science degree in Nursing.

Melissa Roth, RD
Registered Dietitian

Melissa is the newest member to the Rochester Regional bariatric team. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany with a degree in French studies and a minor in business. In May 2012, she completed the Didactic Program in Dietetics at Sage Graduate School in Troy, New York, and relocated to Queens, to get a dual Master’s degree in Nutrition and Exercise Science. She completed her dietetic internship through Priority Nutrition Care, a distance program out of Boston, Massachusetts, and successfully passed her registered dietetic exam in November of 2014. During her dietetic internship, Melissa gained experience working with the bariatric team at Orange Regional Medical Center, who was designated by the American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program as an Active MBSAQIP Center. In addition, she took first place in a national public speaking competition speaking on the topic of the poverty and malnutrition in Haiti and has been a guest lecturer for the Army National Guard where she spoke about weight management and sports nutrition. For the past few years, Melissa has been a certified insulin pump trainer for Animas Corporation where she educated other healthcare providers on insulin pumps and diabetes management. She is a member of the American Nutrition and Dietetic Association and a Registered Certified Dietitian.