Leslie Albers Professional R.N.

Through her leadership of the Center for Surgical Weight Loss, Leslie tirelessly demonstrates her commitment to helping weight loss patients prevent diseases and reduce risk factors for diseases. Leslie is an outstanding healthcare provider and manager. She’s spent the last 10 years of her career working at Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis, where she focuses on helping patients prevent and reduce risk factors for diseases. When the hospital decided to develop a weight loss surgery program, Leslie was asked to lead the planning and development for the “Center for Surgical Weight Loss.” One of Leslie’s many strengths is her ability to “latch on” to any task and take it beyond expectations. The Center for Surgical Weight Loss began with one surgeon, no patients and two employees. Today, under her leadership, the program has two surgeons, nine employees and multiple national recognitions for quality of care. Because of its consistently excellent patient outcomes and high patient satisfaction scores, demand is always high. As of November 2015, more than 4,600 patients had lost more than 229,000 pounds through the program. For Leslie, these numbers mean that her center has helped almost 5,000 patients begin a healthier, happier life. Inspired by the progress of her patients, she started a “Healthy You” program for employees that included exercise and nutrition classes. In 2012, Leslie’s work was recognized when the Tennessee Hospital Association honored her with their annual Meritorious Service Award – Department Head. She was one of only two honorees selected from nominees put forth by hospitals across Tennessee. Leslie has a deep connection to her patients that allows her to understand in a special way their needs, fears, hopes and frustrations. She has a knack for restoring confidence and self-esteem in those who most need it.