Bariatric Surgery Internists at Reliant Medical Group
Dr. Manjul Shukla
Dr. Manjul Shukla grew up in a house that was filled with books and knowledge. “My father was a professor of physics, and my mother was a principle of a high school. When I was growing up, they always stressed the importance of education,” she recalls. “I was very interested in the sciences and was originally going to get a Master’s degree in biology, but then made the decision to go to medical school. In India, you start medical school right after high school, so you really have to decide on becoming a doctor when you’re still a teenager. I’m certainly glad I made that decision. I really love medicine and can’t imagine having any other career.” Click here to read more...
Dr. Shukla is a highly experienced internist and has been practicing medicine at Reliant Medical Group for over 17 years. She was instrumental in starting the first Open Access program at Reliant Medical Group. Open Access leaves appointments open each day so patients can get in to see their physician on short notice. “I’m very proud of that,” she says. “It’s really helped to improve the patient care experience here. What’s the use in having great doctors if patients can’t get in to see them?”
The site manager of Reliant Medical Group at May Street, Dr. Shukla seems to have a special knack for putting patients at ease and making them feel comfortable. “I enjoy getting to know my patients personally. Not just their medical issues, but the personal issues going on in their life – often the two go hand-in-hand.”
A talented artist, Dr. Shukla paints beautiful watercolors in her spare time, some of which reside in her office. “Painting is how I relax. When you’re concentrating on a painting, it’s like everything else in the world is not there.” Dr. Shukla also enjoys practicing yoga, which she finds a great form of exercise. But more than anything else, Dr. Shukla seems to enjoy being a physician. “For me, it always comes back to the patients. When you go home at the end of the day knowing you’ve helped somebody, it makes it all worthwhile.”
Dr. Patricia Dilley
Raised in a small town in North Carolina, Dr. Patricia Dilley wanted to be a doctor since she was a young girl. “I thought it would be a great way to help people and really make a difference in the world,” she explains. To fulfill her goal, she first attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then the prestigious Harvard Medical School. Although she is practicing far away from North Carolina now, she clearly exudes the warmth and attitude of a country doctor. “I really love to hear patient’s stories and enjoy getting to know them over time. It’s part of what makes being a doctor special.” Click here to read more...
Dr. Dilley is a strong believer in people taking ownership and responsibility for their own health. “What primary care medicine is all about for me is giving people the power to take better care of themselves. That’s why it’s very satisfying when one of my patients turns things around and starts seeing results like blood pressure and cholesterol levels normalizing – you know you’re really helping them accomplish something important in their well-being.”
Dr. Dilley also plays a key role in the Bariatric Surgery Program at Reliant Medical Group, which is designed to help patients who are overweight. “It’s a demanding program that time and again proves its success through a commitment to clinical excellence and strong team work – with the patient as well as with each other,” Dr. Dilley explains. “Our Bariatric Surgery Program only accepts patients who prove themselves to be both physically and mentally strong enough to make a permanent change in their lives by losing weight and committing to healthy eating and exercise habits.” Patients who are looking to resolve their weight issue must complete a 6-week behavioral medicine course and then lose 10% of their body weight before they can be considered for bariatric surgery. “For patients who are up to the challenge, the program can have a major impact and greatly improve their quality of life.”
A practicing internist in Millbury since 1992, Dr. Dilley enjoys taking advantage of all the resources available to physicians and patients at Reliant Medical Group. “The resources and support staff available here are terrific. For instance, we have a diabetic nurse educator as well as outpatient case managers and social workers. By having all the pieces of the puzzle in place, it makes it easier for patients to receive the treatment they need.”
Dr. Dilley is the mother of two teenagers, Ruth and Benjamin. During her spare time she enjoys traveling, especially to countries in South America. However, her favorite place to visit is the mountains of North Carolina where most of her family still resides. Each year, she attends a special family reunion where over 100 family members gather. “There’s nothing quite like a big family reunion, I look forward to catching up with my relatives after being away from them all year long (and filling up on barbecue).”
Kristal Imperio, NP
Nurse Practitioner Kristal Imperio received her Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts at Worcester as well as a PhD in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Kristal currently works in the Leominster-Fitchburg area providing same-day access or urgent care for individuals 13 years and older who need immediate treatment when their primary care provider is not available. “I find this work satisfying as it affords me the opportunity to meet the needs of patients with a shorter wait time than they would experience at emergency rooms or other urgent care facilities. Beginning soon, I will be working with the Bariatric Surgery team to provide physical exams, education and medical clearance for individuals wishing to undergo bariatric surgery.” Kristal believes that all individuals deserve high quality medical care and education about their health regardless of race, creed or gender. She enjoys collaborating with a patient’s physician to ensure ongoing continuity of care. Kristal also enjoys working with other departments to ensure the multifaceted needs of her patients are met. In her spare time Kristal enjoys participating in outdoor pursuits such as swimming, biking, hiking, running and camping. She also enjoys yoga, weight lifting, reading, writing and cooking.
Kimberly Kats, NP
Denise L'esperance, NP
Nurse Practitioner Denise L’esperance is a graduate of Anna Maria College and the UMass Worcester Graduate School of Nursing. Denise formerly worked in a clinical lab as a chemist and a microbiologist. She also worked as a Registered Nurse for two years. After a time, Denise states, “I wanted to put my years of medical knowledge of the clinical lab and nursing to use in building relationships with patients to provide safe and effective, patient-centered care. Treating patients as a Nurse Practitioner at Reliant Medical Group allows me to do that.” Denise believes in treating the “whole” person and carefully tailoring their treatment to their individual needs. Denise is also a strong believer in education. “Empowering patients with knowledge is very important,” she says. “It’s one of the keys to successful outcomes.” Denise enjoys working at Reliant Medical Group where patients can benefit from comprehensive care including lab services, radiology, mammography as well as access to many specialists inside the practice when needed. The mother of teenage triplets, Denise enjoys spending time with her family as well as gardening, golfing, walking, traveling and reading good books.