Meet Our Clinical Team

As a patient in St. Bernardine Medical Center’s Surgical Weight Loss program, you will have the support of our specially trained bariatric professionals every step of the way.

You and your good health are the number one priority for each of our highly skilled, multi-disciplinary team of physicians, surgeons and nurses, nutritionists, counselors and therapists. We work with you individually and as a collaborative team to evaluate your best options for achieving your weight loss goals.

Affiliated Bariatric Surgeons

Two accomplished and highly regarded bariatric-trained physicians practice at St. Bernardine and have Surgical Weight Loss offices on campus. One of them, Dr. Douglas Krahn, also provides clinical oversight for the St. Bernardine services in his role as medical director.

Douglas M. Krahn, MD
Bariatric Surgeon Medical Director
St. Bernardine Surgical Weight Loss Services
Dr. Krahn has served as the medical director for Surgical Weight Loss Services at St. Bernardine since 2003. Fellowship trained in bariatric surgery at Broward Center for Obesity Surgery in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, he is among the top actively practicing bariatric surgeons in Southern California. Dr. Krahn is a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, the American Medical Association and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Click here to read more. 

Our Clinical Staff

St. Bernardine Medical Center Surgical Weight Loss patients interact with many clinical and non-clinical staff, but the closest relationship and the greatest support will come from your Surgical Weight Loss program coordinator. She will guide you through the process, step by step, providing the clinical guidance and emotional support you need throughout your journey.

Kim Benites, RN, CBN
Surgical Weight Loss Program Coordinator
Kim Benites is an American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery certified bariatric nurse. She has been with the St. Bernardine Surgical Weight Loss program since 2007 and has been a bariatric nurse since 2002. Her role as patient advocate and clinical care coordinator is to assist you throughout the process, beginning with your initial inquiry and assuring your smooth transition into and out of the hospital.