Meet Our Team
Bariatric surgery can be life changing but is just a tool that requires commitment to ongoing lifestyle changes. By understanding what to expect after surgery, you can better prepare for the lifestyle, health, and emotional changes that come with it. It is important that you stay connected with your healthcare team, follow their recommendations, and enjoy the journey.
Improving your nutrition and incorporating regular physical activity into your lifestyle are equally important to achieving long-term success. The St. Mary's Health Care System Bariatric Surgery team, led by Bariatric Surgeon Aaron Carr, MD, is here to help and promises to be with you every step of your journey—before, during and after surgery. Our goal is to get you back to doing the things you love so you can live and enjoy life to its fullest!
Dr. Carr specializes in general, foregut (anti-reflux), and bariatric surgery. He began his surgical career at the University of California, Davis in 2012 with an emphasis in minimally invasive general and bariatric surgery. In addition, he also performs robotic surgery for many conditions including hernia repairs and colectomies.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, where he was also a NASA Space Center Grant Scholar. He went on to receive his medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile, AL., and to complete his residency in general surgery at Atlanta Medical Center, where he served as chief resident in 2012. He completed his fellowship at the University of California, Davis in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery. After his fellowship, he was an Assistant Professor of Surgery at UC Davis, where he practiced within the Division of Foregut and Endometabolic Surgery and was the Co-instructor of Record for Surgical Education in the School of Medicine.
He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and holds specialty certifications in fundamentals of laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, and member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Dr. Carr has been active in a wide variety of research projects on topics such as diabetes in bariatric surgery patients, single-incision and multi-incision robotic gallbladder removal surgery and alleviating chronic pain in thoracic surgery patients. He has also published several book chapters on bariatric and robotic surgery. His current interests include educating medical students through Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership and providing excellent surgical care for complex conditions.
Team Members
Julie Richardson, MS, RD, LD, CNSC
Bariatric Surgery Program Coordinator
Clinical Reviewer
Julie Richardson is the bariatric surgery program coordinator and clinical reviewer. She works with Dr. Carr to help coordinate the bariatric surgery program between his office and St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. She is responsible for program planning, oversight, education for both patients and staff, leading support group, clinical pathway development, and compliance with program standards for accreditation. She also collects data and helps lead quality improvement projects to ensure the best patient care.
Ms. Richardson received her Bachelor degree in Dietetics and her Master of Science in Food and Nutrition at the University of Georgia. She has over a dozen years of experience as a clinical dietitian. In the past, she has also worked as a clinical reviewer for another bariatric surgery program. She has a passion for quality improvement and is excited to put that passion and skill to use for the patients at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens.
Emily Jones, RDN, LD, CLC
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Emily Jones is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at St. Mary’s Healthcare System and licensed within the state of Georgia. Emily provides quality nutrition education through patient-centered counseling, goal setting, and behavior change modification techniques. She builds relationships with patients pre- and post-op, hosts bariatric nutrition education group classes, and participates in bariatric support groups.
Emily earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Georgia. She completed her dietetic internship with Lenoir-Rhyne University where she is also completing her master’s degree online. She also holds a Certified Lactation Counselor credential and is passionate about maternal health and nutrition. Emily enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her husband and three Labradors.
Kristin Yamamoto, PA-C
Advanced Practitioner
Jessica Fields, PA-C
Advanced Practitioner
Office Staff
- Karen Beard, Office Manager
- Jennifer Anderson, RN
- Shelly Locklin, RN
- Christina “Tina” Brown, Insurance Approval
- Misty Craig, New Patient Referral
- Shantae Martin, Surgery Scheduling
- Kellie Styes, Insurance Benefits Coordinator