MERCY MATTERS

Meet Healthcare Hero:

Dr. Jason Bowersock, MD

by Nicole Davis

Meet Dr. Jason Bowersock, MD, a General Surgeon with the Weight Management Program at Mercy St. Rita’s. Dr. Bowersock specializes in robotics, bariatrics, and trauma. With a team of experienced professionals, the Weight Management Program uses a whole team approach to promote whole personal healing. Their team includes surgeons, physicians, a physician assistant, nurses, dietitians, a psychologist, and an exercise physiologist. Jason uses his multiple areas of expertise to assist every individual with their weight management goals. “Seeing the life changes people can make is my favorite thing about my job. My patient’s lives are completely different, they are medically better off, and live longer.”

Jason grew up on a farm in Spencerville. He originally planned on moving away to a larger city and, after graduating high school, went to play baseball at Kennesaw State University outside of Atlanta, Georgia. He eventually found himself returning to Ohio and his friends at the University of Cincinnati and graduating with his Bachelor of Science. He then attended Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine for medical school and went on to complete his residency at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He considered going into family medicine but discovered surgery allowed him to be hands-on and fix/help people. He then saw the need for bariatric surgery and a weight management program in Lima, Ohio. Dr. Bowersock graduated from his residency in June of 2010 and started working at St. Rita’s immediately after in July.

During medical school, Jason also met his future wife, Stephanie. She was an RN taking care of his grandmother with Alzheimer’s. They married in Florida at Disneyworld and moved back to Jason’s hometown to escape the hassle of city life, and on to a farm. Together they have three children: Kalob, Delanie, and Cooper. Kalob lives in Spencerville and works at Honda. Their daughter, Delanie, enjoys agriculture and shows pigs at the fair. She also plays basketball and just earned her license. Their youngest, Cooper, plays soccer in Spencerville and helps out on the farm. On their family farm you can find donkeys, elk, buffalo, Scottish Highland cows, chickens, and pigs. As a family they enjoy traveling, especially to cities within driving distance such as Chicago or Cleveland to watch baseball. This past summer they had the opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

Dr. Bowersock has a jam-packed schedule at the Weight Management Program. His days rotate between bariatric surgery, general surgery (colon cancer and hernias), office hours, and being on-call. His biggest challenge in the office is long-term follow up. “To stay successful, you must continue to monitor vitamins, electrolytes, and any deficiencies. Bariatric surgery is not the easy way out but is the most likely way to lose the highest amount of weight.” Patients must remember weight management is a process and will not happen overnight. Luckily, Dr. Bowersock and members of the Weight Management Program are there to help their patients reach their goals, big or small.

When asked if he had any tips for creating resolutions for the new year, Dr. Bowersock said, “Start with something small and feasible. For example, stop drinking pop. If you do break your resolution, don’t stop! It’s okay not to be perfect with nutrition.” In the new year, he is looking forward to working a little less and enjoying family more!

Dr. Bowersock and his team are accepting new patients. Visit www.mylivwell. org for detailed information or get an appointment by calling 844-Liv-Well (844-548-9355).