Your Partners on Your Journey
At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) New Brunswick, our experienced bariatric surgeons are committed to providing the highest-quality care and transitional guidance to all patients as they begin their new lifestyle.
Our Team
Ragui W. Sadek, MD, FACS
Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick
Ragui W. Sadek, MD, FACS, is Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at RWJUH and Director of the Adolescent Metabolic and Bariatric Program at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at RWJUH. A graduate of University of Alexandria Faculty of Medicine in Alexandria, Egypt, Dr. Sadek completed his residency and an Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery Fellowship at Staten Island University Hospital in Staten Island, New York. He also completed a Surgical Critical Care and Trauma Fellowship at University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, New Jersey.
Renowned as a top physician in his field by International Association of Healthcare Professionals and as a Jersey Choice Top Doctor 2018 by New Jersey Monthly Magazine, Dr. Sadek launched the Bariatric Surgery program at RWJUH where, prior to his arrival, weight loss surgery was not being performed. He is now the senior most minimally invasive bariatric surgeon utilizing cutting edge laparoscopic, robotic and bariatric surgery techniques.
Dr. Sadek is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He holds affiliations with the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Society of American Gastro Endoscopic Surgeons.
Happily married and the father of twins, Dr. Sadek enjoys playing soccer and tennis.
Michael J. Donaire, MD
Bariatric and General Surgery
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick
Michael J. Donaire, MD, joined the RWJUH Bariatric Surgery Team in 2014. Dr. Donaire is a graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine. He completed his internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center of Manhattan and residency in General Surgery at New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center. He went on to complete the Bariatric and Advanced Gastrointestinal Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship at the State University of New York Health Science Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Dr. Donaire specializes in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and laparoscopic gastric banding, as well as other advanced minimally invasive and general surgery procedures.
With a Master of Public Health background, his philosophy on comprehensive care supports patients in their journey to a healthier life.
Lora Melman, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Bariatric and General Surgery
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick
Lora Melman, MD, joined the RWJUH Bariatric Surgery Team in 2016. Dr. Melman is a graduate of St. Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She completed her General Surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Melman became a Fellow in Advanced Laparoscopic GI Surgery & Bariatrics at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, where she completed advanced training in minimally invasive treatment of hernias, bariatrics, foregut disorders, solid organ surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction.
Focusing on providing cutting-edge surgical care, Dr. Melman is a leader in Fast-Track Surgery/ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery)—a methodology to improve surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction while decreasing recovery times and narcotic medication requirements. She is also a nationally-recognized expert in Hernia Repair and Hernia Mesh. Her other areas of expertise include: repair of all types of abdominal wall, sports, and diaphragmatic hernias; treatment of reflux disease and esophageal dysmotility disorders; surgical weight loss for obesity; and minimal-access adrenalectomy and splenectomy.
Dr. Melman is widely published author of peer-reviewed literature on hernia mesh and biomaterials.
Keith King, MD
Surgery-General
Keith J. King, MD is board-certified, fellowship-trained, and da Vinci certified bariatric and minimally invasive surgeon. Dr. King performs laparoscopic and robotic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, hiatal and paraesophageal hernia repair, surgery for severe acid reflux (GERD), as well as bariatric endoscopy. He has also published research and presented both nationally and internationally on robotic bariatric surgery, revisional bariatric surgery, endobariatrics, as well as GERD. Dr. King is an active member of the ASMBS and serves on the ASMBS General and Foregut Surgery Committee.
Dr. King grew up in Pennsylvania and went on to obtain his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He then came to New Jersey to complete his general surgery training at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School followed by fellowship training in bariatric and minimally invasive surgery at St. Luke’s University Health Network. Through his training and experience, Dr. King has developed a passion for a patient-centered, multidisciplinary team approach to helping patients who struggle with morbid obesity in their journey to a better, healthier life.
Dr. King enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, cycling, and playing the piano.
Lisa Siracusa, RPA-C
Registered Physician Assistant
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick
Lisa Siracusa, RPA-C, is a Board Certified, Registered Physician Assistant specializing in the field of minimally invasive surgery. Lisa is a graduate from Wagner College and Bayley Seton Hospital Physician Assistant program, both located in Staten Island, New York.
She has several years of experience in the surgical medical field. Before joining our team in 2013, Lisa was the senior PA in Staten Island University Hospital where her responsibilities included training surgical residents, assisting surgeons during surgery, and managing the surgical floor.
Lisa is an important member of RWJUH Bariatric Surgery Team. She is not only responsible for patient follow-up visits, but also assists Dr. Sadek in the operating room during surgery.
She is the mother of two boys, and enjoys kickboxing and jogging.