Sparrow Weight Management Center Staff

Administrative Director

Patrick J. Brillantes, M.P.A., has 11 years healthcare management experience. He received his Bachelors degree from Michigan State University and Masters degree from Western Michigan University.

Manager

Kathy Kacynski, MS, RN is a registered nurse with over twenty five years of health care experience in a variety of settings. In 1985 she received a master's degree from the University of Michigan. She has a personal passion for weight management as she has struggled to maintain a healthy weight her entire life. Kathy's hobbies include walking, golf, gardening, reading and spending time with her pets.

Medical Director

Anthony Meier, MD has been involved with the Sparrow Weight Management Center since it's inception in 1989. He has a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Michigan State University and attended medical school at Michigan State University (1979-1983) before completing a residency in internal medicine. He has been a full time practicing physician in internal medicine for the past 21 years.

Staff Physician

Karen Klefstad, MD is a board certified internist. She has previously worked at Health Central and has had a long-term interest in weight management. She is married to Dr. Edward Swisher and has a 17 year-old son Jordan, a 5-year old daughter Kristen, and two dogs.

Physician Assistant

Catherine Nehil, PA-C has been part of the Sparrow Weight Management team since 1999. In addition to her work with Sparrow Weight Management Center, she is a full time practicing PA with Sparrow Family Health Center. Prior to her 1995 graduation from Western Michigan University's Physician Assistant program, Catherine was a registered nurse for 10 years, working in the Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units. In her free time, Catherine enjoys cooking, gardening and spending time with her three children.

Bariatric Case Manager

Cathy Homan, RN joined the Sparrow Weight Management Center in January of 2000 as a clinic nurse. She has been part of the Sparrow Health System since 1990 as a Nurse Line triage nurse and health educator. Cathy graduated from the University of Iowa in 1980 with a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Prior nursing experiences include: family practice, internal medicine, oral surgery, quality assurance and utilization review. In her free time, Cathy enjoys cooking, reading, golfing and spending time with her husband, two sons and various pets.

Registered Nurses

Martha W. Bristor, PhD, RN, LMFT received her degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Michigan State University. She has been employed by Sparrow Health System for 22 years, the last seven at Sparrow Weight Management Center. Prior clinical nursing experience includes The Heart Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, Sparrow's Mother Baby Maternity Unit, and Nurseline.

Mary Fox, RN has been part of the Sparrow Weight Management Center team since 2000. Mary has been a registered nurse for 25 years, and also works with the Sparrow Pediatric After Hours Clinic and Community Health Education Deaprtment. In her limited spare time she enjoys traveling, biking and spending time with her husband and four sons.

Glenna Miller, RN, BA has worked as a nurse in the administrative, clinical and nursing education settings at Sparrow Health System for 23 years. For the past nine years she has served on the multi-disciplinary team at the Sparrow Weight Management Center. Glenna enjoys tennis, golf, quilt making, being with her grandchildren, and traveling with her husband.

Linda Nemecek, RN has been employed by Sparrow Health System since 1979 and has held several positions. She has been a nurse clinician, a nurse manager, and is now a Performance Improvement Manager. Since 1995, she has worked on a part-time basis with the Weight Management Center as a clinic nurse.

Behaviorists

Patricia B. Fitzner, MSW, ACSW received her master's degree in Social Work from Michigan State University and has 30 years of work experience in Social Welfare, Corrections and Private Practice. She completed the OPTIFAST program and looks forward to working with patients from not only a clinical understanding of weight management but a personal one as well. Pat is retired from full time employment and is in pursuit of traveling to all 50 capitals with her husband.

Richard P. Lieske, MA, M.Div has worked at the Sparrow Weight Management Center as a behaviorist since July 1996. His background in education, journalism, ordained ministry, and counseling psychology give him a rich and varied background from which to offer assistance and support to program participants. At the center, Rich does intake interviews and assessments, works with the Sparrow Fit Families program for children and teens and their families, works with the Personalized Track participants, offers individual consultations for support of lifestyle change efforts, and leads various treatment groups and support sessions. He plans to complete doctoral studies in clinical psychology and specialize in health psychology, researching effective treatments that combine sensitivity to family dynamics, motivational readiness, effective coping strategies, and spiritual awareness.

Dietitians

Carrie Crandall, RD has a bachelor of science degree from Eastern Michigan University. She has nine years of experience in many different medical arenas including long-term care, home care, dialysis, and diabetes care. Carrie has also worked as a clinical dietitian in both in-patient and out-patient settings.

Louise Whitney, MS, RD has a BS degree from the University of Colorado in Biology and Chemistry and a MS degree in Human Nutrition from Colorado State University. She is a registered dietitian with over twenty years experience in dietetics and has worked extensively in public health and as a clinical dietitian with a focus on weight management, cardiology and diabetes. She also teaches Human Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles at Lansing Community College. Louise enjoys spending time with her three sons, gardening, walking and when she's lucky, scuba diving!

Exercise Specialists

Brooke Kosanic, BA graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor of arts degree in Science. She majored in Kinesiology with specialties in Fitness Leadership and Health Promotion. Brooke's hobbies include sports (expecially rugby), food and animals.

Tim Nolan, BS holds a bachelor of science degree from Grand Valley State University with an emphasis in physical education, fitness, and wellness. He is also certified through the American Council on Exercise as a personal trainer. His years of experience within the fitness industry has allowed him to assist a wide array of individuals, ranging from competitive athletes to those with physical restrictions. Tim is truly passionate about helping others understand and receive the invaluable benefits of a healthy lifestyle. A favorite saying of his is, "A healthy lifestyle is the best preventative medicine against our most common ailments."

Bariatric Surgery Specialist

Karie Bacon received two associate's degrees in Business from Lansing Community College. In her free time she enjoys helping her husband with his construction business, gardening, swimming, and spending time with her family.

Office Manager

Susan Grosnickle received an associate's degree in Business from Baker college and has worked at the Sparrow Weight Management Center since 1990. In her free time, Susan enjoys swimming, directing a children's choir, singing with the worship team at her church and spending time with her two sons.

Receptionist

Coanne Knuth graduated from Grand Ledge High School and has taken medical terminology, body systems, and insurance billing at Lansing Community College. She has worked in the health field for the last 16 years as a Medical Secretary/Receptionist. Coanne is a licensed cosmetologist and still does a little hair just for fun. She enjoys gardening, canning, cooking and spending time with her family, especially her granddaughters.