LEADERSHIP & TEAM
Program Leadership
Dr. Mehran Anvari –
Program Lead
Mehran Anvari is the lead of Project ECHO Ontario Bariatric Network. He is a tenured professor of surgery and holds the Research Chair of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Innovation at McMaster University.
He is the Past President of the Canadian Association for Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons and serves as Clinical Lead and Chair of the Ontario Bariatric Network.
Dr. Karim Ramji –
Provincial Chair
As of 2026, Dr. Karim Ramji serves as the new provincial chair for ECHO Ontario Bariatric Network, helping connect clinicians across the province through collaborative education, case-based learning, and multidisciplinary knowledge sharing to strengthen bariatric care.
Karim is a Canadian fellowship-trained bariatric and minimally invasive surgeon and serves as Strategic Lead for Surgical Innovation and Entrepreneurship at McMaster University.
Program Operations
Happuka John – Education & Operations Coordinator
Happuka John is the Education Coordinator for ECHO Ontario Bariatric Network, where she leads the end-to-end delivery of a provincially coordinated virtual education program. She oversees curriculum planning, session design, scheduling, stakeholder communications, and participant engagement, ensuring high-quality, case-based learning experiences that connect multidisciplinary teams across Ontario.
Ashen Chetty –
BCoE Coordinator
Ashen Chetty is the BCoE Coordinator for the ECHO Ontario Bariatric Network, where she supports the coordination of regional sessions across participating centres. She builds and maintains strong relationships with BCoEs and the broader Ontario Bariatric Network, facilitating collaboration across hub teams and ensuring alignment of local delivery with provincial priorities.
Trusha Patel –
Administrative Assistant
Trusha Patel supports the operational delivery of the ECHO Ontario Bariatric Network program, coordinating registration, communications, and session logistics. She ensures a smooth participant experience and consistent execution across sessions, working closely with the team to support timely delivery and engagement.
HUB Team
