• LuLu Roman, Keynote
   

• Dr. Bryan Anderson
   

• Melanie Machado
   

• Dr. Jacqueline Jacques
   

• Randy Langley
   

• Sarah Graham
   

• Damiana Uberuaga
   

• Dr. Angela Trumbauer
   

• G2G HOME

Conference Speakers and Presenters

LuLu Roman, star of the long running hit television series, "Hee Haw" is a living legend, a long-time singer, songwriter, comedienne, philanthropist, and all-American sweetheart.  Born with a thyroid dysfunction in a home for unwed mothers, LuLu was quickly placed in an orphanage. It was there that her weight problem furthered her pain, preventing her adoption and making her the focus of cruel teasing by the other children. During her eighteen years in the orphanage, LuLu learned to use her sense of humor as a defense. That sense of humor later evolved into a highly successful career as an actress and comedienne.

Roman struggled with obesity throughout her career as an actress and gospel music recording artist, and after years of unsuccessful dieting and failed weight loss programs, her weight ultimately reached 360 pounds. The size 54 gospel singer could no longer stand during her concerts. Her blood pressure required medication, and walking was so difficult that she used a motorized wheelchair.

In 2004, LuLu chose to have life-saving gastric band surgery and has since lost over 200 pounds.  The success she achieved with her gastric band has given her a renewed zest for life.  "I feel thirty years younger!" Now reinvigorated, the Dove Award winning Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee enjoys an active and healthy life as she travels the country sharing her faith and her story of victory over addiction and obesity.

Bryan J. Anderson, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a graduate of the University of Idaho and attended medical school at the University of Arizona where he received his Medical Degree in 1994. Dr. Anderson completed his General Surgery Residency at Michigan State University in 1999 and is board certified in General Surgery.  He currently serves as the medical director for the Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery Program at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho.  He is also the current chairman of the Operating Committee at Saint Alphonsus and is past chairman of the Department of General Surgery.  His areas of special interest are advanced laparoscopic surgery and gastric banding surgery for weight loss.

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Melanie Machado, RD, CD is one of the founders of Pacific Nutrition and Wellness, a state-of-the-art weight loss surgical program in Edmonds, Washington. She is a leading expert in the field of obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes as well as child and adolescent nutrition and sports nutrition. Melanie is a sought after public speaker in the area of nutrition and motivational change. Along with over a decade of experience in medical nutrition therapy, she has given her time and expertise in medical development projects in the rural, poverty stricken areas of Oaxaca, Mexico. She has led numerous medical campaigns throughout her professional career. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in nutritional science at Seattle Pacific University, and her post-graduate education at the University of Washington. Her programs offered and staff is highly regarded by the medical community.

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Dr. Jacqueline Jacques, ND is a Naturopathic Doctor with more than a decade of expertise in medical nutrition.  Dr Jacques has spent much of her career in the dietary supplement industry as a formulator, speaker, writer and educator.  She is the Chief Science Officer for Bariatric Advantage, a company dedicated to providing the best of nutritional care to weight loss surgery patients.  Also acknowledged for her general expertise in natural medicine, Dr Jacques appears as a guest on radio and television, and regularly writes articles for trade publications.  She lectures both nationally and internationally to health professionals and the public alike. 

Dr. Jacques has dedicated the vast majority of the past seven years of her life to the weight loss surgery community, teaching medical nutrition and advocating for standards in nutritional care.  Her greatest love is empowering patients to better their own health.  She is also the author of a clinical guidebook called "Micronutrition for the Weight Loss Surgery Patient", which is available through Matrix Medical Communications.  She additionally serves on the boards for the Obesity Action Coalition and the Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, Irvine.

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Randy Langley, PT, OCS received his Physical Therapy degree from the University of North Dakota in 1992. He returned to Idaho in 1995 and opened his own physical therapy clinic.  Randy is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and is certified in Active Release Techniques. He has hundreds of hours in continuing education with emphasis on functional assessment and exercise.

Randy and his staff at Eagle Physical Therapy believe that our lives function in three dimensions that are interdependent: mind, body and spirit. "If we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with you, it will be our goal to encourage transformation in your body as well as be an encouragement to your mind and spirit. For we believe that the experience of working together will enhance this journey we call life."

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Sarah Graham, PT, MPT, ATC received her B.S. degree in Athletic Training from Olivet Nazarene University and then went on to get her Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Governors State University in 2001. Sarah is a Certified Athletic Trainer and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Sarah worked in an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Naperville, Illinois, before moving to Idaho. She began working for Eagle Physical Therapy in June 2003. Sarah also has advanced education in the treatment of women's  health issues including incontinence and pregnancy related health concerns.

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Damiana Uberuaga, MSW, LCSW graduated with a Masters Degree in Social Work in 1997. She soon obtained her clinical endorsement and began providing therapy to individuals in public and private settings. She is currently senior therapist at Saint Alphonsus Behavioral Health and has a private practice in downtown Boise, Idaho.

Damiana's specialized interest is in teaching her patients about the correlation between specific areas of the brain and how to use this knowledge to manage, reduce, and eventually eliminate maladaptive behaviors.  This method of teaching has proven to be effective in emotional regulation, impulse control, minimizing intrusive behaviors and increasing self esteem.  It is also a basic introduction to cognitive behavioral techniques which have proven to be highly effective coping tools for weight loss surgery patients as they learn to better understand and manage their behaviors.

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Dr. Angela Trumbauer, DN, MPA, RRT has
worked in the medical field for over 22 years, earning both her Undergraduate and Masters Degrees at California State University.  After successfully reversing her multiple sclerosis symptoms through all natural means, Angela decided to obtain her doctorate degree in Naturology.  She has since furthered her education by working with top medical centers such as Stanford University and the University of Maryland.  In addition to her formal education, Angela has studied with biologists in both Central and South America, learning about medicinal plants in the Amazon rainforest.  She currently has a private practice and works with the California Pacific Medical Center and with the Forbes-Norris ALS/MDA Research Center in San Francisco.  Angela teaches seminars, leads educational trips to the Amazon, and leads retreats to the Caribbean where her clients swim with dolphins. She is also in the process of forming a non-profit organization which will focus on promoting a healthy environment and healthy living.