Dr. Stephen Petteruti, DO Medical Director
Dr. Petteruti took a unique path to become a very special kind of doctor. While most of his peers were studying biology, Dr. Petteruti graduated from Tufts University with honors in English literature. This second generation family doctor then took a career interlude becoming a commercial fisherman for a period of time before pursuing his ultimate dream of becoming a family doctor.
Pursuing his goal of being a holistic provider of medicine he chose Osteopathic Medical School to start his medical training. He received an army scholarship and went on to a residency in family medicine once again graduating from the program with honors before becoming part of the teaching faculty immediately out of his residency.
While in the military service Dr. Petteruti started to develop his interest in weight loss medicine. It was there that he witnessed good soldiers being driven out of the service due to being overweight by government standard. It was heartbreaking to see people struggle with their weight and literally loose their career over it said Dr. Petteruti. I felt there was something more that could be done for them then simple separate them from the service. It was a challenge to my curiosity to find a solution to the dilemma.
His revolutionary weight-loss treatment techniques, that see life-changing results achieved often without the use of surgery, has gained him national recognition in the bariatric field. He has spoken at numerous panels and conferences, served as an Associate Clinical Professor at Brown University, has received advanced certification from Harvard University in the field of Bariatrics, and currently serves as the Rhode Island Diplomate to the American Board of Bariatric Medicine.
Dr. Petteruti has been pursuing his passion for greater than 20 years. He brings his unique combination of empathy, intellect, clinical and didactic experience to change the lives of the patients he encounters.
Holistic, comprehensive, complete and driven to pursue the solutions to the most difficult of problems, Dr. Petteruti has a style of practice that is rare to find.
Lori Wayss RN, Bariatric Counselor
Lori joins Petteruti Bariatric Medicine with enthusiasm and eagerness, for each client to unleash their potential and reach their ultimate goal for life-changing results. Lori believes each person can achieve anything they seek with the right guidance, direction and inner sense of self. Petteruti Bariatric Medicine offers all of those attributes to clients seeking the best for themselves.
With over 20 years working in the nursing field, she brings great insight and compassion to the practice. Lori has been able to make a difference in the many lives of people she has taught, mentored and cared for. Being the mother of three grown children, she is able to focus her life learning skills to specialize in nutritional counseling.
Meredith Gardiner, Physician Assistant
Meredith, our Physician Assistant and native of South County, knew at a young age that she wanted to work in the medical field. Throughout her high school years, she spent many weeks of her summers volunteering at Camp Sunshine, a camp for kids with life threatening illnesses and their families. After attending the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in Boston, she decided to attend Springfield College in Massachusetts for a degree in her chosen profession, Physician assistant.
Meredith graduated with a Bachelors in Health Science in 2010 and a Masters of Science in 2011. During her college years, she continued to volunteer at Camp sunshine. She
also volunteered at the local emergency room and worked as a personal care attendant. Through starting her career with Petteruti Family Practice, Meredith is currently accepting new patients.