Jaime Ponce, MD

Dr. Jaime Ponce began his career in bariatric surgery in 1998 after completing his residency training at East Tennessee State University. In October 2000, he established a private practice bariatric surgery program at Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, GA, and later in 2002 at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, TN, where he served as the Medical Director for both Bariatric Surgery and Obesity Medicine.

Under Dr. Ponce's leadership, the program achieved Center of Excellence and full accr

Dr. Ponce is a passionate advocate for obesity care, dedicating his career to improving access to surgical treatments for obesity. He has collaborated closely with insurance companies and lawmakers to develop and implement policies that support equitable access for all patients seeking weight loss solutions. His efforts extend to national initiatives aimed at ensuring that individuals suffering from obesity have access to a comprehensive range of treatment options. Through advocacy and education, Dr. Ponce strives to break down barriers and create a supportive environment for patients, enabling them to receive the care they need for improved health outcomes.

Dr. Ponce focuses to make his patients feel comfortable and understand their care needs. This allows the patients to feel empowered to make a combined, educated decision on their health because Dr. Ponce believes each patient should be treated the way he would like to be treated.