About Dr. Spaw

Dr. Albert Spaw Dr. Spaw is an advanced laparoscopic surgeon. He began performing and teaching advanced laparoscopic techniques over 15 years ago. He was the first surgeon in Nashville, TN to perform laparoscopic hernia repair and has taught laparoscopic techniques to surgeons all over the United States, Italy, France and Africa. Maintaining an academic foundation in his surgical practice has permitted Dr. Spaw to author several chapters in laparoscopic surgical textbooks as well as numerous medical journal articles pertaining to laparoscopic surgery. Since 2004, Dr. Spaw has limited his practice exclusively to the surgical management of the morbidly obese.

After drawing experience from some of the most skilled bariatric surgeons in the country such as Mal Fobi MD in California, Barry Fisher MD and James Atkinson MD in Nevada, and Jamie Ponce in Dalton, Georgia, Dr. Spaw refined his interests and skills and, as a result, limited his surgical practice solely to minimally invasive bariatric surgery. Since 2004, he has performed over 1000 weight loss procedures including Lap Band®, laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass, lateral sleeve gastrectomy, and the duodenal switch procedures.

Dr. Spaw has distinguished himself as a Fellow of the ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) and a “Center of Excellence, Surgeon.” He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the ASMBS and the International College of Surgeons. He is on the Board of the Tennessee Chapter of the ASMBS and remains active on state and national levels improving the quality of care for the morbidly obese patient.

Dr. Spaw has served as the Medical Director of the Metabolic Surgery Center at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, TN. He is developing research protocols vital to the ongoing treatment of bariatric patients at Baptist Hospital and is directly involved with creating courses designed to instruct bariatric medicine to the surrounding medical community.

Dr. Spaw and Lynn, his wife of 27 years have two children; Daniel (24), an aspiring orchestra conductor and Lara (21), a graduate of Indiana University teaching English as a second language. Although not native to Tennessee, the Spaws have lived in Tennessee for over 24 years and are avid Predators and Titans fans. Dr. Spaw enjoys drawing, water-skiing and ice hockey.

Click here to view Dr. Spaw's resume.

Kristy Owings, MA

Kristy Owings has an Associate’s Degree in Business Management with 14 years in the field of radio broadcasting. In 2009 she decided it was time for a change and went back to school for Medical Assisting where she graduated with a 4.0 and was salutatorian of her class. She has a passion for bariatric surgery due to her own personal experience. She hopes that she can offer help and encouragement to patients during their weight loss journey. Kristy has been married to her husband Tim for 15 years and they live in Dickson Tennessee. She and her husband enjoy cooking and catering on the side. She joined Dr. Spaw’s staff in June of 2011.