Your Care Team
- Comprehensive, team-based care: To help you reach your weight loss goals, you’ll be supported by fellowship-trained surgeons, bariatricians and nurse practitioners, a psychologist and a registered dietitian, who will work together to create a personalized weight loss plan.
- Medical and surgical options: The center offers both nonsurgical medical weight loss and advanced, minimally invasive bariatric surgery, so your treatment fits your health needs and goals.
- Support at every step: From insurance coordination and nutrition counseling to psychological sessions and ongoing progress visits, you’ll have guidance, education and encouragement throughout your entire weight loss journey.
NKC Health Total Weight Loss uses a team-based approach to provide personalized medical and surgical weight loss care. You’ll be supported by experienced surgeons, bariatricians, a psychologist, nurse practitioners and a dietitian.
Your Total Weight Loss care team uses a multidisciplinary approach, offering comprehensive medical and surgical weight loss support. From our front desk staff to our providers, you can expect compassionate, informative and personalized care.
Your team consists of fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons, medical weight loss specialists (called bariatricians), a psychologist, registered nurses, a registered dietitian, nurse practitioners, patient care technicians, a program coordinator and insurance coordinators.
Your doctor-assisted weight loss journey begins with a weight loss consultation. For more information, view our free bariatric surgery seminar.
Surgeons
Keenan Berghoff, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Medical Director, Total Weight Loss
Dr. Berghoff is a board-certified general surgeon with fellowship training in advanced laparoscopic surgery and bariatric procedures. An Ingram’s magazine Top Doctor, Dr. Berghoff completed medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine and his residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He completed his fellowship at Texas Endosurgery Institute.
Joshua Mourot, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Dr. Mourot is a board-certified general surgeon with fellowship training in advanced laparoscopic surgery and bariatric procedures. He has performed more than 1,000 robotic surgeries, using this technology to perform complex procedures in the least invasive way. Dr. Mourot completed medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and his residency at the University of Washington, where he also completed his fellowship.
Fellowship training means that after Dr. Berghoff and Dr. Mourot finished their general surgery training, they each completed one-year programs that focused exclusively on bariatric surgery.
Medical weight loss physicians (bariatrician)
Dr. Kelley is a medical weight management doctor and metabolic specialist who is board-certified in internal medicine. She specializes in using nonsurgical weight loss methods to treat obesity and weight-related health conditions. Dr. Kelley completed medical school and her residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Dr. Fleres is a medical weight loss doctor who focuses on developing a trusting a relationship with her patients. Board-certified in family medicine, she specializes in helping patients overcome their weight-related medical conditions and reach their weight loss goals. Dr. Fleres completed medical school at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and her residency at HCA Healthcare-Kansas City.
Psychologist
Dr. Harris is a licensed psychologist, who works alongside our weight loss physicians to offer empowerment, motivation and skills for patients struggling with weight loss. She received her Doctor of Psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, MO.
Nurse Practitioners
Kelci Couch, APRN
Kelci is a board-certified nurse practitioner who appreciates working with patients to develop practical strategies for weight loss and long-term health. She collaborates with Dr. Kelley and meets with patients for support, guidance and motivation during their journeys. She received her degree from Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences and has a Certificate of Advanced Education from the Obesity Medicine Association.
Allyssa Plymell, APRN
Allyssa is a board-certified nurse practitioner who is committed to helping people live healthy lives and feel good about themselves. She received her master’s degree in nursing at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has a Certificate of Advanced Education for the Obesity Medicine Association.
Nicholas is a board-certified adult and geriatric acute care nurse practitioner who enjoys helping patients work toward their weight loss goals. He earned his master’s degree in nursing science at the University of Arkansas.
Dietitians
Michelle Garcia, RD, LD
Michelle is a registered dietitian who received her bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Central Missouri. She developed a passion for working with bariatric patients during her dietetic internship at West Virginia University-J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. She enjoys working with patients one-on-one, helping set goals for better nutrition and health. She loves problem solving and encouraging patients when they face difficult challenges, cheering them on as they lose weight.
Meredith Brandt, MS, RD, LD
Meredith earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition Science: Community Health & Wellness from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Nutrition & Health Sciences while simultaneously completing her dietetic internship, also at UNL.
Meredith is passionate about helping patients build sustainable, healthy lifestyles through personalized nutrition care. She strives to make nutrition feel simple, attainable and realistic. In her role, she enjoys working alongside and motivating patients, and celebrating their successes. Meredith is dedicated to making patients feel empowered to reach their goals and improve their overall health.
Are there any doctors near me for weight loss?
NKC Health Total Weight Loss offers medical weight loss management and bariatric surgery and is conveniently located on the NKC Health hospital campus in the Kansas City metro area. Our address is 2790 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 600.
How do I know if I’m a candidate for medical or surgical weight loss?
Most patients qualify based on their body mass index (BMI), weight-related health conditions and past weight loss efforts. A provider will review your health history and goals to recommend the safest, most effective option.
How long does the weight loss program last?
The length varies by treatment plan. Medical weight loss involves ongoing monthly visits, while surgical patients follow a structured pre- and post-operative program with long-term follow-up.
Will my insurance cover weight loss treatment or surgery?
Coverage depends on your specific plan. Total Weight Loss insurance coordinators can verify benefits, explain requirements and help guide you through the approval process.