Meet the Surgeons
Emanuel E. Nearing II, M.D., FACS*
Emanuel Nearing II, M.D., FACS, is a board-certified surgeon, fellowship trained in bariatric and minimally invasive surgery. His bariatric surgery services include sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass weight loss surgery procedures. Dr. Nearing was the first surgeon in the area to perform robotic-assisted bariatric surgery.
Dr. Nearing earned his medical degree from Chicago Medical School. He completed a surgical residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle and a minimally invasive surgery and bariatric fellowship at Gundersen Health System in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. Dr. Nearing is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgery.
Kingsley Okai, M.D., FACS**
Kingsley Okai, M.D., FACS, is a board-certified surgeon, fellowship trained in bariatric and minimally invasive surgery. His bariatric surgery services include primary (sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, duodenal switch and SADI-S) and revision weight loss surgery procedures. Certain procedures are performed using robotic-assisted surgery techniques.
Dr. Okai earned his medical degree from the University of Toledo. He completed his surgical residency at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and a minimally invasive surgery and bariatric fellowship at University of Texas at Houston Medical Center. He is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgery.
Meet the Providers
Kanika Jaggi, M.D., ABOM**
Kanika Jaggi, M.D., ABOM, is a board-certified obesity medicine specialist and the medical director of Lutheran Health Network Weight Management. She earned her medical degree from Saba University School of Medicine and completed her residency in family and community medicine at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine.
Dr. Jaggi also completed a fellowship in obesity medicine, a specialty dedicated to managing weight loss and any chronic health conditions related to obesity. She provides medical guidance and support throughout the patient's weight-loss journey.
Nathan Nicola, NP-C
Nathan Nicola, NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner delivering patient-centered family care. He also specializes in obesity medicine and manages patients' weight loss and related health conditions.
Nicola earned his bachelor's degree in biology, his master's degree in nursing and his family nurse practitioner graduate certificate from the University of Toledo. He is board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and earned a certificate of advanced education in obesity medicine from the Obesity Medicine Association.
*Member of the medical staff at Lutheran Downtown Hospital. Lutheran Downtown Hospital is owned in part by physicians.
**Member of the medical staff at Lutheran Hospital. Lutheran Hospital is owned in part by physicians.