Meet Our Bariatric Providers
Our Team of Weight Loss Experts
Boone Hospital Center’s bariatric program has a team of individuals that will help support you along your journey to a healthy lifestyle. Each team member is committed to helping you succeed. We like to think of ourselves as coaches and trainers that will help guide you to a thinner, healthier self. Our goal is to provide excellent care and education. We have put together a comprehensive team that will be involved with your care both before and after surgery.
Surgeons
Ryan Strain, MD
Dr. Strain is a bariatric surgeon with a focus on minimally invasive operations and a deliberate focus on patient care. He specializes in gastric bypass and gastric sleeve.
Dr. Strain attended medical school at University of Missouri – Kansas City, completed his general surgery residence at the University of Kansas and his bariatric fellowship at University of Missouri – Columbia. Dr. Strain is board-certified in general surgery. He is a fellow of American College of Surgeons and also a member of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery.
Ryan Strain, MD from Boone Health on Vimeo.
Bariatric Clinicians
Allison Arends, MSN, AGNP-C, CBN
Allie is a bariatric certified nurse and nurse practitioner. She brings 10 years of bariatric surgery experience to our team, working in the clinic setting and as a first assistant to our surgeons in the operating room. As a member of both the Obesity Medicine Association and American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery she is passionate about advocacy and advancement in the field of obesity. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Central Methodist University, later completing a Master of Science in Nursing from Maryville University.
Sarah Smith, APRN, FNP-BC, FNP-C
Sarah graduated with her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Missouri in 2002, and became a nurse practitioner in 2021, graduating from Chamberlain University in Chicago. With over 20 years’ experience in healthcare, Sarah has a comprehensive knowledge of the needs of patients to treat and manage their obesity. She is enthusiastic about advocating for those with obesity with kindness and compassion, with the goal of improving their physical and emotional health.
Elisabeth Glass, MS, RDN, LD
Elisabeth is one of the Boone Health Bariatric Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. She received her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Food from the University of Missouri and recently graduated from the MU Accelerated Program in Dietetics with her Master of Science. She is a proud Missourian (born and raised in Columbia) and is passionate about sharing evidence-based nutrition.
Kelli Brown, MS, RDN, LD
Kelli is one of the Registered Dietitians with Boone Health Bariatrics. She graduated from MU in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Fitness, and in 2021 with a Master of Science in Dietetics from MU’s Coordinated Program. She is passionate about nutrition education, and meeting the patient where they are at through empathy and compassion and helping them achieve overall physical & emotional health. In her free time, she enjoys reading, practicing yoga, working out, hiking, cooking, and gardening.
