Our Bariatric Team

Todd Eibes, MD, FACS - Bariatric Surgeon

Dr. Eibes received his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1994 after growing up in Burlington, Iowa.  He completed his residency in General Surgery at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan in 1999.  Dr. Eibes returned to Iowa to practice general surgery in Grinnell in 1999 and began performing bariatric surgery in 2001.  He relocated his practice to Des Moines in 2006 in order to specialize in bariatric surgery exclusively.  Dr. Eibes is very experienced and has performed more than 500 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures, 200 vertical sleeve gastrectomies and 600 laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedures.

"I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Mason, who is considered the father of bariatric surgery, early in my career at the University of Iowa.  I saw people that were essentially crippled by their obesity return to healthy, active lives after bariatric surgery.  That inspired me to become a bariatric surgeon so that I could help people regain control of their lives.  I love hearing from patients that they are now able to play with their children or stories of patients no longer needing their insulin because their diabetes has been cured by their weight loss.  These stories are the reason why it is essential to educate and advocate for the treatment of obesity."

Teresa LaMasters, MD, FACS - Medical Director, UnityPoint Clinic | Weight Loss; Bariatric Surgeon

Dr. LaMasters received her medical degree from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine in 2001.  She completed her residency in General Surgery at the University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita in 2006.  She then went on to complete advanced training with a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery with an emphasis in Bariatric and Robotic Surgery in 2007 at Stanford University.  She joined the team in August of 2007. 

Dr. LaMasters has performed hundreds of  weight loss surgeries with excellent results.  She was the first surgeon in Iowa to use the DaVinci Robot for Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and was also the first surgeon in Iowa to perform the new sleeve gastrectomy procedure. Dr. LaMasters has a passion for treating obese patients and guiding them through their weight loss journey, and has brought cutting-edge technology and techniques to our program.

"I chose to dedicate my career to weight loss surgery because the problem of obesity is so overwhelming in our society.  My own family is affected by the disease of obesity.  I feel the treatment of obesity is very complex and challenging.  This is one area that I can really help people change their lives.  This is truly live-saving surgery and I can't imagine a better area to dedicate my time and talent."

Ms. Lilla received her Physician Assistant degree from the University of Iowa in 2002, she has experience in general surgery as well as surgical oncology. She joined the UnityPoint Clinic weight loss team in 2007. Ms. Lilla assists with surgical cases and provides care for patients in the hospital setting following their surgery. Her experience maximizes the safety of the patient's surgical experience. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band patients will also see her frequently in the office for evaluations, follow-up care, and fluid adjustments.

"I am dedicated to working as part of our team in the treatment of obesity to help improve quality of life for our patients."

Kerri Patton, MSN, FNP - Healthy Lifestyles Program

Ms. Patton is from St. Joseph, MO. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1995 from Missouri Western State University and worked in ICU for 11 years. In 2005, she completed her Masters of Science in Nursing from University of Missouri-Kansas City and went on to become certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She worked for UnityPoint Clinic in Family Medicine and has additional experience teaching critical care to nursing students at the bachelorette level. Her clinical interests include weight management, hypertension,and hyperlipidemia. 

Janielle Heusinger, RD, LD - Dietitian

Ms. Heusinger received her Dietetics degree from Buffalo State College in 2002 and began working with Bariatric surgery shortly thereafter. She has a special interest in the lifelong dietary changes necessary after Bariatric surgery. She meets with patients to provide individualized dietary counseling.

Todd Jenkins LMHC, LMFT - Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Mr. Jenkins received a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa in 1984: a Masters of Arts in Psychology from the University of Missouri in 1990; and a Masters of Science in Counseling and Human Development from Radford University in 1998. He has worked in the field of behavioral health for many years prior to coming to work for the UnityPoint Clinic weight loss team.  Mr. Jenkins conducts a majority of the program's pre-surgical bariatric mental health assessments. He is also available to provide lifelong counseling to enhance your success with making the necessary behavioral and emotional changes associated with weight loss.  

"The reason I was drawn to work with this population was my concern about the growing epidemic of obesity and the serious implications that this health problem has for the quality of life of individuals and families."

Laurin Canfield RN - Exercise Physiologist

Ms. Canfield received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Iowa in 1986.  She received a Masters in Exercise and Sport Science from Iowa State University in 1998.  She has worked in the cardiac rehabilitation department at Iowa Lutheran Hospital since 1990.  Ms. Canfield received her certification in cardiac rehabilitation nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 1995.  She is committed to designing an individual exercise program to meet your needs. She will perform fitness testing while monitoring you to determine your threshold for safe and effective exercise and will adjust your program to meet your needs as your fitness levels improve.

"I enjoy working with clients to help them improve their health and promote healthy behaviors.  I have also enjoyed the opportunity to expand my knowledge base and work with patients in the weight loss surgery program."