Alaska’s First Female Bariatric Surgeon to Join Anchorage Bariatrics

Anchorage Bariatrics welcomes Dr. Maryna Chumakova-Orin to its team. Orin joins Anchorage Bariatrics from the Duke University Medical Center, where she was a fellow in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery for one of the strongest fellowship programs in the world. She will be Alaska’s first female bariatric surgeon.

Originally from Belarus, a small Eastern European country bordered by Poland, Ukraine, and Russia, Orin completed her medical school training at Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University, earning a Medical Doctorate degree. She was fortunate to match at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation for her general surgery training, where her passion for bariatric surgery only grew stronger as she worked with some of the leaders in the field.

“I find the field of bariatric surgery extremely gratifying and provide the best care for my patients by treating them like family,” says Orin. “I am very interested in outcomes research in order to promote evidence-based practices and am dedicated to ensuring long-term success for my patients.”

Orin developed a desire to make an impact on the field of bariatric surgery during a high school exchange program when she stayed with a host family in rural Indiana and watched the host brother struggle with obesity.

“My host brother’s inability to access care, the stigma of obesity, and his failed attempts at diet and exercise opened my eyes to the struggle so many people face,” says Orin.

“Dr. Orin will be an incredible asset to the practice,” says Anchorage Bariatrics Practice Manager Kristi Naval, RN. “We are dedicated to serving the health care needs of our community and look forward to an expanded team that will allow us to keep up with demand.”

“Dr. Lee and I are thrilled to welcome Dr. Orin to our team,” adds Dr. Clark, founder and co-owner of Anchorage Bariatrics and Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at Providence. “She brings with her the highest level of expertise and has demonstrated her commitment to helping her patients meet their wellness goals.”