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Bariatric nurse Judy Tanielian introduces herself and shares her inspiration for helping obese patients lose weight through bariatric surgery.
Nurse Judy Tanielian:
My name is Judy Tanielian. I am a registered nurse and a certified bariatric nurse. I have been working here at Tri-City Regional Medical Center for a little over two years and I have been affiliated with the bariatric program for 18 months.
I am the Clinical Director of bariatric program here at Tri-City and I oversee the clinical part of the program, interface with what’s going on in the hospital and try to mesh the two programs. I provide a lot of patient education, help develop policies and procedures, and attend clinic with three of our surgeons.
Bariatrics is an exciting field. Obesity and overweight are epidemic in this country and I have relatives who have fallen to the obesity category. I know how difficult it is to control the situation and I realize what comorbid conditions can result from obesity, and when I see people who have made that decision to really take charge of their life and do something about their obesity, it’s almost like the transformation starts before the surgery ever happens.
All of a sudden these people who have been depressed and housebound, unable to get out and do things with their children and grandchildren are looking forward to a new lifestyle and that enthusiasm and excitement continues through the preparation process for surgery and then we celebrate every pound that they drop following surgery. It’s exciting.
About Judy Tanielian, R.N., B.S.N., C.B.N.:
Judy Tanielian, R.N., B.S.N., C.B.N. has nearly forty years of nursing experience and six years of experience as a Clinical Director managing Bariatric Surgery programs. She graduated with honors from Portland Community College’s Associate Degree Registered Nursing program in 1973. She served as a nurse at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in The Oregon Burn Center for twenty two years, filling a variety of roles from bedside care to management. While at Legacy, Judy was awarded her Bachelor’s Degree with honors, through Excelsior College. During that time period, she was also inducted into the Nursing Honor Society, Sigma Theta Tau.