Barbara Parker has been a nurse for more than 30 years and her entire career has been devoted to ambulatory nursing.

Barbara began her career with the Duke University Health System in 1974 and left after 23 years. In the interim, she worked with a pediatrics and family medicine clinic in Durham. She returned to the Duke University Health System to work with the Duke Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery in 2007.

Barbara is Dr. Portenier’s nurse. She assists him in getting patients ready for surgery. This includes making sure insurance requirements are met and all lab tests, x-ray procedures, consultations, and clearances are complete prior to surgery.

Barbara is the contact person for any medical issues or other concerns that Dr. Portenier’s patients may have pre- or post-operatively, and she works directly with Dr. Portenier when the patient comes for follow up appointments.