Overview
Losing weight can do more than make you look better. It can help you feel better, which is far more important. Weight loss can help prevent or control many serious diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, arthritis, heart disease and stroke, and some kinds of cancer.
Whether it’s shedding a little excess weight or losing more than 50 pounds, Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital’s Weight Management can help you choose the program that’s right for your lifestyle and your budget. Together with our experienced weight-loss physicians and registered dietitians, you can choose from medically safe options that will be customized for your health needs and goals. Each program includes weekly support, accountability, lifestyle education, exercise guidance, and maintenance programs to help you break negative eating patterns, lose weight safely and effectively, and keep it off.
Services
At Mercy Hospital, we know everyone’s weight-loss journey is different. That’s why our weight management offer flexible programs that can be customized to meet your needs.
OPTIFAST®
OPTIFAST is a weight-management program that combine lifestyle education and medical monitoring with a meal replacement plan.
Documented results in more than 80 studies nationwide revealed participants experience a 52 pound weight loss, 15 percent average decrease in cholesterol, 29 percent average decrease in blood glucose and 10 percent average decrease in blood pressure.
Available only as part of a medically monitored weight-management program like ours, OPTIFAST products include nutritionally complete bars, shakes, soups and more. Our clients tell us OPTIFAST taste great!
This plan can be used in three different ways:
- Full-formula diet – If you need to lose more than 40 or 50 pounds, this full-formula diet will provide you with five or six daily meal-replacement supplements.
- Partial-formula diet – If you need to lose up to 50 pounds, the partial formula will give you four meal replacements per day in combination with one healthy meal you prepare.
- OPTIchoice – If you need to lose less than 40 pounds, OPTIchoice includes three daily meal replacements plus a healthy meal you prepare.
Nutrition Counseling
If you are interested in losing weight without the use of meal replacements, nutritional counseling may be right for you. Our dietitians will develop a meal plan that’s right for you, helping you make the changes necessary to lose weight and keep it off.
Weight Maintenance
At Mercy Hospital, we care not only about helping you lose weight, but also helping you keep it off. The maintenance phase is key to preventing weight regain and is available indefinitely.
Take advantage of our program for maintaining weight-loss and health living:
- Free weight checks for a lifetime – After reaching your weight-loss goal, we encourage you to continue to attend our clinic for the support and accountability it provides. You are welcome to return weekly, bi-weekly or monthly – whatever frequency works best for you.
- Lifestyle and behavior education classes – The classes available to participants during their active weight loss are also available in the maintenance phase. These classes offer education, helpful tools, and interaction with others. Topics such as exercise, stress management, eating out while traveling, mindful eating, and several others are addressed during class. Our patients find that regular class attendance provides them with the tools necessary for successful weight loss and long term maintenance. The group atmosphere is engaging, interactive and supportive.
- Getting back on track – If you have taken a break from the program but find you are starting to regain some of your weight, getting back on track is as easy as taking advantage of our free maintenance program. We would all like to think that we can do it on our own, but it’s not always that easy. Weight maintenance can be a struggle, and that is why we are here to help.
Contact Us
To learn more about these programs and to sample products, attend a free information meeting. Appointments are required. Call 330.588.4854.
Our Team
Joseph G. Vrabel, DO, Medical Director
Dr. Vrabel received his medical degree from the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine with postgraduate training at Doctors Hospital of Stark County. Dr. Vrabel is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Medicine and serves as the medical director of the OPTIFAST® weight management program.
Sereen Zawahri Krasuna, Program Coordinator
Sereen Zawahri Krasuna, MS, RD, LD, is a registered and licensed dietitian as well as our program coordinator. She has worked in clinical and wellness settings. She is bilingual as our Arabic speaking team member. Sereen attended The University of Akron where she earned her bachelor’s degree in dietetics. She completed her master’s degree in nutrition from Kent State University where she wrote her thesis on organic food. In addition to helping others achieve their goals, Sereen enjoys traveling with her husband, being involved in her church, and spending time with her family.
Heather Lee, MSBS, PA-C, Physician Assistant
Heather is a physician assistant with the OPTIFAST program and with Mercy Cardiovascular Institute. She has been part of Mercy Hospital’s inpatient cardiology team for over two years. Her prior experience includes neurosurgery and family medicine. She graduated from Denison University in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and from the University of Toledo in 2007 with a master’s degree in biomedical sciences and physician assistant studies. She is involved in Mercy’s Shadow-a-Professional Program, mentoring college-age individuals considering a career in the healthcare field. She also precepts both nurse practitioner and physician assistant students in their clinical practice year. In her free time, she enjoys running, weight training, and spending time with her family.
Teree T. Rice, CNP, Certified Nurse Practitioner
Teree T. Rice, MSN, BA, RN, AGPCNP-BC, CHFN, is a certified nurse practitioner with the OPTIFAST program and with Mercy Cardiovascular Institute. Teree has spent the majority of her career working with cardiac patients. She worked in CCU, Cardiac Rehabilitation, and most recently was the Heart Failure Coordinator for inpatients. She holds an associate degree in nursing and bachelor’s degree in psychology from Miami University, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ohio University, and a master’s degree in nursing from Maryville University. She is also a board-certified heart failure nurse. Teree enjoys working with her clients and seeing them improve their health by changing tomorrow today.
Linda Telle, Program Representative
Linda Telle is the program representative for Mercy Hospital’s Weight Management. She has worked in medical office management for 12 years, including nine with the OPTIFAST program. She enjoys supporting and encouraging clients as they strive to reach their weight-loss goals. Previously a registered radiologic technologist, Linda is a graduate of Aultman Hospital Radiologic Technology Program. In her spare time, Linda enjoys watching sports, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Stephanie Wheeler, MS, CES, Employee Wellness Director
Before her appointment as director of Mercy Hospital’s Employee Wellness, Stephanie Wheeler previously worked at our Health & Fitness Center in North Canton for 15 years, helping others reach their personal wellness goals. She also has years of experience working in cardiac rehabilitation and health and wellness related fields at other organizations. She has participated in numerous community events as a guest speaker and fitness class instructor. She says it brings her great joy when she can help others learn to live healthier lifestyles.
Appointments
Ready to get started? We’d love to help you. To learn more about how Weight Management can help you reach your weight loss goals, please call 330.588.4854 or fill out the form below.
Weight Management
Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital
1320 Mercy Drive, NW
Canton, OH 44708
330.588.4854
Weight Management is located on the first floor of Mercy Hall at Mercy Hospital.
