Valley LifeStart Team

Dr. Yatco is board certified in general surgery and specializes in minimally invasive and robotic bariatric and general surgery, specifically primary and revisional bariatric surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, hernia repair, and anti-reflux surgery. He has performed laparoscopic obesity surgery since 2002 and was among the first bariatric surgeons to perform a laparoscopic robotic-assisted conversion from a gastric bypass to a modified duodenal switch using the da Vinci® Xi surgical robot system.

Dr. Yatco received his medical degree with a distinction in research from the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine. He completed a residency in general surgery at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in New York City and a minimally invasive surgery fellowship at The Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York.

Prior to Valley, Dr. Yatco served as the Assistant Chief of Bariatric Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital/Northwell Health in New York. He has published numerous articles and has spoken at national conferences about laparoscopic, robotic, and bariatric surgery.

Dr. Naser Gharaibeh is board-certified in endocrinology, obesity medicine, and internal medicine, and specializes in weight management and obesity medicine. Before coming to Valley, Dr. Gharaibeh previously held the position of Chair of Medical Specialties and Obesity Medicine Director at Mercy Hospital Joplin in Missouri. He actively engages in volunteering efforts and exhibits a keen interest in physician recruitment, mentorship, and medical education.

A graduate of the University of Jordan, Dr. Gharaibeh completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, followed by a Fellowship at Case Western University. Throughout his career, he has garnered multiple accolades for his exceptional clinical care delivery and teaching ability across diverse medical settings. Prior to his tenure at Valley Health, Dr. Gharaibeh also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at Kansas City University, where he mentored numerous medical students and residents. Additionally, he co-founded the Jordanian American Physicians non-profit organization.

At Valley, Dr. Gharaibeh serves as the Metabolic Medicine and Weight Loss Director, where he continues to leverage his proficiency and passion for advancing preventive patient care and wellness.

Dr. Dhorajia is board certified in general surgery and specializes in both weight loss and general surgery. Her expertise includes bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and revisional surgery. She performs general surgery, bariatric surgery, and gastrointestinal surgical procedures, including abdominal wall hernias, anti‐reflux surgery, paraesophageal hernia repair, and gallbladder, colon, and gastric surgery procedures. She performs surgery using minimally invasive, robotic, and laparoscopic techniques. 

Dr. Dhorajia attended medical school at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then went on to do her residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine. She proceeded to complete a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Prior to joining Valley, Dr. Dhorajia practiced at Hackensack University Medical Center for the past decade.

NanceyAnne is a board-certified adult geriatric nurse practitioner at Valley LifeStart: The Center for Weight and Wellness. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Peter’s University and a master's degree in nursing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. NanceyAnne also holds national certifications in critical care (CCRN) and is a certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN).

Before joining Valley LifeStart, NanceyAnne spent 32 years at The Valley Hospital as a registered nurse in critical care and later as a unit-based nurse practitioner on the bariatric surgical floor. Since joining Valley Medical Group in 2021, NanceyAnne has been part of developing the Center for Bariatric Surgery and Weight-Loss Management's medical weight management and bariatric exercise physiology programs.

Tamar Joseph is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in bariatric and general surgery and medical weight loss management. She received her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant studies from Pace University - Lenox Hill Hospital Physician Assistant Program.  Tamar enjoys working closely with each of her surgical and medical weight loss patients by formulating an individualized treatment plan to help patients attain their personal weight loss goals.

Connie Adamek is a board-certified nurse practitioner with over 25 years of healthcare experience. She received her Master’s Degree in Nursing from William Paterson University.

Meredith Urban, MS, RD, CDN, Registered Dietitian

Meredith received a master's degree in clinical nutrition from New York University. She has worked with bariatric patients since 2001 and has written numerous text chapters and journal articles on nutrition and dietary guidelines for the bariatric patient. Meredith has been a guest speaker at The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, ASMBS, and The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders. Before joining The Valley Hospital in 2009, Meredith worked as a bariatric nutritionist at Columbia University Medical Center, New York University Medical Center, and Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Jaclyn Studer MSN, RN-BC, RN, Patient Coordinator

Jackie is a board-certified registered nurse and joined Valley Medical Group in 2019. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ramapo College of NJ and a master’s degree in nursing from Rutgers University. Prior to joining Valley, Jackie worked for eight years as a staff nurse at Hackensack University Medical Center, including four years caring specifically for bariatric surgery patients. 

Carol Chavez, CMA

Carole Chavez is a Certified Medical Assistant with more than 10 years of experience. Before joining the bariatrics team, Carole worked in dermatology. 

Anam Kayani, Surgical Coordinator

Anam Kayani holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Long Island University. Before joining Valley, Anam worked as a Surgical Coordinator at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

Karen Canecchia, Practice Manager

With more than 20 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, Karen brings a great deal of knowledge to her role as the Practice Manager for Valley LifeStart. Before joining Valley, Karen was the Office and Operations Manager for Holy Name Medical Center's medically based fitness center, HNHFitness, in Oradell. During her nine years at the center, she was responsible for all member and community-based relations. Karen also worked as a regional director for Sportscare Institute, Inc., where she was responsible for managing the reception staff in all of the company’s Bergen and Rockland County facilities to ensure patient satisfaction. Karen’s first role in the industry was as a manager for a team of health and welfare benefit specialists at Mellon Financial.

Estefany Hernandez, Business Associate