Administrative Staff

Nancy Kent-Barber
Bariatric Patient Support Facilitator

As a patient who underwent successful gastric bypass surgery, Nancy brings a unique understanding of the challenges facing morbidly obese individuals seeking a bariatric surgery solution. Nancy brings her strength, understanding and compassion to help patients successfully manage their journey through insurance authorization, preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow up. Nancy organizes and maintains several components of our support program including tri-monthly support group meetings and several annual events. Nancy has been recognized by the American Association of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery for her dedication and organizational skills. Nancy’s efforts were particularly noteworthy when she was recognized in 2008 for having successfully raised more than $15,000 as charitable contributions for obesity related research. Her efforts resulted in Ventura Advanced Surgical Associates being recognized as one of the top ten fundraisers for obesity research during the 2008 “Walk From Obesity” national event.

As a dedicated advocate for bariatric surgery patients, Nancy assists patients by meeting them at the hospital on their day of surgery and staying with them until they are brought back to the operating room. In addition, she coordinates our “Angels” support group by matching interested patients with a successful bariatric patient who can provide one on one support and encouragement during the early postoperative period.

Becky Shipp
Practice Manager

Becky is usually the first person patients talk to when calling our office. In addition, she is the first person most patients meet when coming to our office for their initial consultations. Coordinating the multiple appointments and tests each patient is asked to undergo is a challenge Becky has undertaken and mastered. Becky brings with her an understanding of the complexities of scheduling patients which allows us to provide consultations and care to the hundreds of patients each year who undergo clinical consultations, sleep medicine evaluations, bariatric and other surgical procedures. Her compassion and ability to organize and adapt to the needs of our patients allows most patients to experience a smooth transition through the evaluation process.

Rori Hernandez
Front Office Reception

One of the newest additions to our administrative team, Rori brings an ebullient spirit to our busy front office. Aside from answering phones and checking in patients, Rori will also be coordinating multiple appointments for each patient.

Heather Jacobsen, Insurance Coordinator
Heather joined Dr. Billy’s practice over 10 years ago. She is the expert in insurance coverage and billing. It is essential that each patient contact Heather prior to having an initial consultation so that she can determine whether there is insurance coverage for the visit and surgery. Heather is available to our patients by phone at 916-491-1717. Calls go to a voicemail box so you must leave a message that includes a number where you may be reached.

Maggy Ojeda
Medical Records

Maggy has been with the practice in a variety of functions for 5 years. She recently took over responsibility for the medical records department. In addition, Maggy has completed the training to perform bone density testing in our Ventura office.

Samantha Billy, Esq.,
Corporate Administrator

After a successful legal carer, Samantha joined the team at Ventura Advanced Surgical Associates as Corporate Administrator in 2003. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Samantha earned her law degree in San Francisco at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She has been instrumental in managing the practice by designing and implementing a facility that incompasses all facets of our multi-disciplinary practice.

Christine Pierce
Marketing & Business Development Director

Christine joined us in 2007 and has been on a mission to assist us in bringing our program to our communities of local physician practices, hospitals, major employer groups and potential patients. Obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree from Pepperdine University in Communications, Christine immediately tackled the Healthcare arena, serving this industry on both Management and Executive levels. Christine left her Directorship position with one of the biggest Surgical Development Firms based in Chicago to join us because she strongly believes that of all the specialties she has had the experience of working in, our bariatric program is the most rewarding in patient care, and being a part of it brings incredible satisfaction.

Alia Farrar, Marketing & Business Development Associate

Alia joined us in 2009 as part of a marketing team dedicated taking our practice and patient materials to the next level and bringing the information to our community physicians and potential patients.  Alia graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in Aviation. Patients may see Alia in our Ventura office and physicians are likely to see her walking into their own offices.

Celina Alonzo
Finance

Celina brought a wealth of organizational skill when she joined the practice in 2008. She is adept at multi-tasking and patients may see her as they visit the Ventura office.