Meet the Team

Daniel Bacal, MD 
Medical Director of the Oakwood Bariatric Program
Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center, Dearborn

Dr. Bacal received his Medical Degree from the Universidad Central de Venezuela. He ranked first out of 163 students and received an award for Excellency. Dr. Bacal was fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery at the IRCAD/European Institute of Telesurgery, University Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, France. Dr. Bacal was also an instructor of laparoscopic, minimally invasive surgery and bariatrics for surgeons training during his fellowship. He completed his internship and residency at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. Dr. Bacal is board certified with the American Board of Surgery and is member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery. He has received numerous certifications and has researched and written various publications. Dr. Bacal’s philosophy is to put the patient first, provide physical and emotional comfort, and strive for the highest care possible. His approach is to bring the newest technologies and best treatments to patients.
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Edward Mavashev, MD
Bariatric Surgeon
Oakwood Annapolis Hospital, Wayne

Dr. Mavashev is a fellowship trained bariatric surgeon from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He completed his internship and residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Mavashev specializes in minimally invasive bariatric weight-loss surgery, which has advantages over conventional surgery, including shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery time, less pain, less scarring and much smaller incisions. He holds privileges at Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center in Dearborn.
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Bilal Kharbutli, MD
Bariatric Surgeon
Oakwood Heritage Hospital, Taylor

Dr. Kharbutli is a board certified and fellowship trained surgeon. He completed his fellowship training in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at the Wayne State University Program/Harper University Hospital. He completed his surgical residency training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Dr. Kharbutli is a member of the American College of Surgeons -and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. Dr. Kharbutli specializes in general and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries including bariatric weight-loss surgery such as laparoscopic gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding.

Minimally invasive surgery offers patients smaller incisions, which reduces their post operative pain, hospital stay and enhances recovery. Dr. Kharbutli’s practice philosophy has remained the same throughout his career. “I always strive to provide the best possible care to my patients, knowing that they have put their trust in me. I will do everything in my power to help our patients receive the care they need.”
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Terry Marentette, RN
Bariatric Coordinator

Terry attended Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University, and Mercy School of Nursing in Detroit where she obtained a Diploma in Nursing. She has extensive experience in Bariatrics. As Bariatrics Coordinator at Oakwood Healthcare System, Terry is responsible for developing the bariatric program to include education, in-services, pre-admission testing, and consultation. She understands what prospective patients are feeling first-hand and offers detailed information and support to help with decisions. Terry underwent gastric bypass surgery in 1997 and to date has lost more than 135 pounds, which she’s successfully maintained for the last 14 years.
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Liz Oliver, RD
Registered Dietitian

Liz graduated from Michigan State University with honors with two degrees, the first in Dietetics and another in Psychology in 2008. She then went on to complete a dietetic internship at Loyola University in Chicago and became a Registered Dietitian credentialed through the Commission on Dietetic Registration in 2009. Liz has been working for Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center for over 3 years and is experienced in both surgical and medical weight loss. She provides medical nutrition therapy, dietary guidance, and behavioral modification counseling to those undergoing weight loss surgery as well as those in the non-surgical weight loss program. She strives to help all patients reach their individual goals and is passionate about helping her patients to live a healthy, happy, and satisfying life.