Meet the Surgical Weight Loss Team

You’ve heard it before. Team work makes the dream work, and that’s certainly the case here at St. Mary’s Surgical Weight Loss Solutions. Each of us bring different skills to the table, but we all share the same goal of ensuring patient success.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to our team to learn more about surgical weight loss. We are proud to serve as a reputable resource throughout your weight-loss journey.

Matthew Hofeldt, MD, FACS

Medical Director

Dr. Matthew Hofeldt is the medical director of St. Mary’s Surgical Weight Loss Solutions at HIMG. As a general, robotic, advanced laparoscopic surgeon, Dr. Hofeldt has 15 years of experience treating surgical patients. After seeing the effects of excess weight had on his patients, he wanted to help make a difference to with this challenging problem. Since 2014, Dr. Hofeldt has been performing sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss. In 2017, he helped re-introduce the weight loss program at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Dr. Hofeldt is passionate about helping the weight loss patients achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Dr. Hofeldt’s family hails from Wheeling. He obtained both undergraduate and medical degrees at WVU. After graduating medical school, he pursued residency in surgery at CAMC. After residency, he spent seven years in Charleston, West Virginia in private practice, until he took a position at a hospital in Eastern Shore Maryland. Although he gained valuable surgical experience there, he missed his home state of West Virginia. In 2015, he became part of the St. Mary’s/HIMG team, where he continues to maintain thriving surgical and weight loss practice.

Dr. Hofeldt enjoys spending his free time with his wife. Together, they have three wonderful dogs. He also enjoys working in his yard, reading, and watching college football.

Lana Hofeldt, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Lana Hofeldt, PA-C, is a physician assistant with St. Mary’s Surgical Weight Loss Solutions at HIMG. Lana assists in the operating room with the sleeve gastrectomy as well as evaluates patients in the office and hospital. She helps manage and coordinate the care of the patients throughout their weight loss journey. Lana has 15 years of experience treating patients.

She began managing weight loss surgery patient’s in 2014. As someone who has a passion for helping others, she wanted to expand her practice to help these patients with this complex problem. She takes a holistic approach and believes this is a way for patients to get healthier in all aspects of life.

Lana was born and raised in West Virginia. She obtained her undergraduate degree at Marshall University. After graduating, she attended physician assistant school at Alderson Broaddus, where she graduated with a master's degree in 2007.  After earning her graduate degree, Lana served as an orthopedic surgery PA in Charleston, West Virginia. In 2011, she transitioned to working as a general surgery PA in Charleston before moving to the Eastern Shore in Maryland where she continued to work in surgery. While there, she gained experience working with multiple bariatric surgeons. She moved back to her home state in 2015, where she briefly worked at Marshall Health in perioperative medicine before transitioning to St. Mary’s/HIMG to work with Dr. Hofeldt in 2018. During the last four years,  she has been an integral part in growing both the surgical practice as well as the weight loss surgery practice.

When Lana is not devoted to the care of her patients, she enjoys spending time with her husband, and her three miniature schnauzers: Piper, Charlie, and Lucy. She enjoys walking, playing with, and grooming her “babies.” Lana enjoys hiking, cooking, walking, reading and decorating her house.

Heather Rice, RDN, LD

Registered Dietitian

Our bariatric dietitian, Heather Rice, provides patients detailed education on nutrition and the essential role nutrition plays in having a successful weight loss journey. She meets with patients every visit to provide individualized nutrition counseling both before and after surgery to promote healthy lifestyle changes needed for weight loss and lifelong success. Heather also leads our monthly bariatric support group at HIMG, as well as providing patients with ongoing nutrition and healthy lifestyle related information in our quarterly newsletters.

Heather earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and completed the AP4 program (Approved Pre-Professional Practice Program) from Morehead State University. She is a registered dietitian and is licensed in the state of West Virginia. Heather is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Weight Management Practice Group of the association, West Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as the Obesity Action Coalition. Heather loves helping our surgical weight loss patients better understand the importance of nutrition along with meeting their goals and living healthy lifestyles.

Christina Lawrence, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

A native of the region, Dr. Christina Lawrence is dedicated to the connection between mental and physical health. She completed her doctoral training at Marshall University, with a residency in Clinical Health Psychology at Geisinger Medical Center.

Dr. Lawrence has a passion for providing education throughout the pre-surgical evaluation process to ensure long-term success with bariatric procedures.

Haylie Musser, RN

Clinical Coordinator

As our RN team, Julie and Haylie manage the day-to-day operations to ensure the clinic runs efficiently, which allows for smooth process for all of our patients. After Julie completed her nursing degree at St. Mary’s School of Nursing and Haylie at the University of Rio Grande, they both became members of the OAC (Obesity Action Coalition), they have dedicated themselves to giving back to the community to improve the lives of those around them.

They provide patients with clinical guidance throughout their weight loss journey with valuable education and feedback to ensure each patient is on the right track to a healthier lifestyle. In the office, Julie and Haylie are responsible for obtaining prior authorizations as well as ordering radiological test and other procedures required to meet insurance standards prior to surgery. They are also responsible for scheduling consultations, providing patients with proper follow-up care and assisting in planning of monthly support group meetings.

Julie Hockenberry, RN

Clinical Coordinator

As our RN team, Julie and Haylie manages the day-to-day operations to ensure the clinic runs efficiently, which allows for smooth process for all of our patients. After Julie completed her nursing degree at St. Mary’s School of Nursing and Haylie at the University of Rio Grande, they both became members of the OAC (Obesity Action Coalition), they have dedicated themselves to giving back to the community to improve the lives of those around them.

They provide patients with clinical guidance throughout their weight loss journey with valuable education and feedback to ensure each patient is on the right track to a healthier lifestyle. In the office, Julie and Haylie are responsible for obtaining prior authorizations as well as ordering radiological test and other procedures required to meet insurance standards prior to surgery. They are also responsible for scheduling consultations, providing patients with proper follow-up care and assisting in planning of monthly support group meetings.