The Team

Dr. Jacome is a Weight Loss Surgeon in Augusta and Dublin, Georgia. He received his undergraduate and medical degree in Ecuador at the Catholic University. Dr. Jacome completed his surgical training at East Tennessee State University. Then then went on to perform a fellowship in Bariatric Surgery at the University of Miami. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is an active member of the American College of Surgeons, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, the Society of Laparoscopic Surgery, the Robotic Surgery Coalition, and the Obesity Act Coalition. Dr. Jacome has particular interests in advanced laparoscopy, robotic surgery and bariatrics.

Dr. Jacome’s path into bariatrics started during his residency training because he saw the dramatic difference in the quality of life for patients who had pursued bariatric surgery. Through his patients that went from wheelchair bound to walking, to using home oxygen to not having to utilize it, at that point he wanted to create a real change in life for patients.

Dr. Blaney is a weight loss surgeon in Augusta and Dublin, Georgia. He received his undergraduate degree at the United States Military Academy and his medical degree at Emory University. He went on to complete his surgical training at Eisenhower Army Medical Center and spent the next four years in the Army as a staff surgeon at Fort Benning, Georgia. Dr. Blaney moved to Augusta in 2003 where he was a general surgeon, quickly he realized that bariatrics was his passion and decided to pursue this field of medicine. Dr. Blaney is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is an active member and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons as well as the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). He has a special interest in advanced laparoscopy, endoscopy, bariatric surgery, reflux disease, and foregut disease.

Dana Taul has over thirty years of diverse experience in Insurance verification, precertification, surgery scheduling, Indigent Care Advocate, and Insurance Coordinator /Trainer. Employed by University Hospital in August 1990, she remained there until she joined the bariatric practice in June 2013. In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching old western movies and spending time with my family. Dana found her passion in the bariatric program by an opportunity to help patients succeed. She believes that bariatric surgery is a second chance for patients to live the healthy life they were meant to live.

Prasha Balakumaran is the intake coordinator at Doctors Specialists – Bariatrics & Surgical. Her role is to work with potential new patients, answer their questions about weight loss surgery and book their initial consultations with our surgeons. Prasha will also help verify insurances for new patients to make sure they have coverage for bariatric surgery. Prasha has a Master’s in Public Health, focusing on health and nutrition for women and children in underserved communities. Her background in customer service and passion for healthy living helps drive her love for her job. She loves speaking with potential patients and helping them start their weight loss journey with our practice to become a better version of themselves.

Ashley Bembry is a patient advocate team at Doctors Specialists – Bariatrics & Surgical and has worked in patient care for over 10 years. Ashley is in the business of making people happy and her goal as a patient advocate has been to truly impact the lives of her patients by guiding them through a life changing journey. Bariatrics has been rewarding to Ashley because she is allowed to see the betterment of someone’s life and know that she had a part in their success. As the field of bariatrics continues to grow, her goal is to grow with it and continue to help as many patients as she can live the lives that they deserve.

Laura Cox has been employed at Doctor’s Hospital of Augusta for 2 years now in two different roles. She started her career at Doctor’s as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant for a year before changing departments and becoming the Bariatric advocate for surgical weight loss. In 2008, Laura completed her Master of Science in Adult Education proving beneficial in both positions. She has taken the knowledge she gained from 6 ½ years of teaching and instructional design and applied it to helping advance the bariatric program. Laura still works as a rehab therapist on weekends at Doctors Hospital of Augusta and loves the balance between one job that helps people recover to the other job of helping people change their lives forever.

Caring for people is the true passion for Chelsea Mimbs. Helping people achieve their optimal health and happiness is her calling. Chelsea is the Bariatric Program Coordinator at Fairview Park Hospital and has been the program’s inception in 2017. She has led her team and facility to become an MBSAQIP Accredited Center of Excellence as well as an accredited Blue Cross Blue Shield Center of Distinction.

Chelsea earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree from Georgia College and State University and has worked for Fairview Park Hospital for 6 years. When she is not caring for patients, she is a wife and a mom that is likely trying to find the nearest beach for a little relaxation and family time.