The LiveNew team

At LiveNew we believe that the most effective philosophy of care is rooted in teamwork. Teamwork with our patients, teamwork with primary care providers, and team multidisciplinary care within our office. We would like to invite you to use this philosophy to optimize the value of your care at every level.

Patient provider teamwork

During your consultation our goal is to go far beyond the medical assessment and disease process to get to know you as a person. Only when we can appreciate you as an individual can we truly understand how to best customize your treatment plan with your uniqueness in mind. Additionally, we believe that it is important to engage you as a valuable member of your care team. When this relationship functions at a high level your care is optimized, and you are empowered for greater success. Following your visits, we invest in maintaining open lines of communication with you through our easy to use patient care portal.

Teamwork with Primary Care

Patients also benefit when doctors communicate with clearly each other. That is why we treat your primary care doctor and other specialists as a very important part of your care team here at LiveNew. Using this approach, we proactively communicate with your doctors following your visits here. This allows your primary care doctor to benefit from the details of your specialty Endocrine or Bariatric consult at LiveNew, and also gives your primary care doctor an open avenue to share any additional details with our team that may be important to your care.

LiveNew multidisciplinary team.

Treatment for weight loss and metabolic health often requires complex assessments and treatments in order to effectively achieve your best results and best quality of life that you deserve. Because of this, at LiveNew we coordinate a comprehensive team of specialists to address every element of your metabolic care and comprehensively address special needs and individual variation. Using this approach, we have assembled a team that includes bariatric surgeons, medical weight loss specialists, and endocrinologists. We also include assessments and integrated planning by bariatric trained dieticians, psychosocial counselors, and exercise physiologists who are all part of your team.

Dr. Joshua Long

MD, FACS, FASMBS

Dr. Josh Long is a board certified bariatric surgeon. Recognizing that surgery is not the right choice for everyone, he also obtained board certification in medical weight loss therapy. He is nationally recognized for his high quality surgical care as a bariatric surgery site reviewer and as a co-author on the national obesity algorithm. He uses good communication, team collaboration, and a patient centric focus. Because he believes in meeting every patient at their greatest point of need, he emphasizes full spectrum bariatric care. His philosophy of care is to truly invest in his patient’s best long-term outcome whether surgical, non-surgical, or a combination approach.

Dr. Sharmini Long

MD Endocrinologist

Dr. Sharmini Long is double board certified in Endocrinology and Obesity Medicine. As a thyroid cancer survivor herself, she personally understands how many patients feel. Dr Long treats the full spectrum of endocrine disorders and has a special interest in thyroid, pituitary and adrenal disorders. She is skilled in thyroid ultrasound and in-office ultrasound guided thyroid biopsy. Dr Long believes in working side-by- side with her patients to improve their health and educate them on how to best take care of themselves. This team approach, patient and physician, is the backbone of her practice. Her patients appreciate her warm personal demeanor and her willingness to listen. Dr Long’s interest in whole person health has led to a cohost position with the television series Lifestyle Magazine. In her free time, she enjoys the Colorado outdoors with her husband and three sons. Credentials: Medical Degree: UT Southwestern Medical, Dallas TX Internal Medicine Residency: University of Alabama, Birmingham AL Endocrinology Fellowship: University of Alabama, Birmingham AL

Dr. Nina Le

MD

Dr. Nina Le is a board-certified endocrinologist. She enjoys managing patients in all aspects of endocrinology including diabetes, thyroid, parathyroid, osteoporosis, pituitary and adrenal disorders. She is experienced in thyroid ultrasound and bedside fine-needle biopsies after her training at The University of Pennsylvania. Dr Le will work in partnership with her patients to determine mutual goals of care and to develop a plan to optimize their health. Dr Le’s philosophy of care focuses on taking the time to understand a patient’s concerns, providing clear explanations regarding treatment options, and using evidence-based medicine to make recommendations for treatment. Dr Le grew up in Australia and obtained her medical degree at the University of Sydney. She moved from New York in 2017 and in her spare time has been enjoying exploring Colorado with her husband and three children. Credentials: Medical Degree: The University of Sydney, Australia; Internal Medicine Residency: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia PA; Endocrinology Fellowship: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA.

Melissa VanSickel

Physician Assistant

Melissa VanSickel graduated with a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine in North Chicago, Illinois. She practiced in primary care for 8 years before joining Dr. Long and Dr. Wagh in their Endocrinology Practice. Melissa was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in childhood and has a passion not only for the treatment and care of diabetic patients but for endocrinology in general. In her free time Melissa loves spending time with her husband and daughter. She enjoys travel and spending time in the beautiful Colorado outdoors.

Tina Lonneman

NP

Tina Lonneman, Nurse Practitioner, graduated with her Master of Science from Arizona State University specializing as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. After spending 10 years in women’s health, she returned to school for further education to expand her scope of practice. Upon completing a post masters family nurse practitioner program, she practiced in urgent care and family practice prior to joining Live New Colorado. Over the past 20 years practicing as a nurse practitioner she developed an interest in helping patients with endocrine and metabolic conditions. Passionate about assisting patients with medically supervised weight loss and caring for patients undergoing bariatric surgery, Tina earned a certificate in obesity medicine from the Obesity Medicine Association. By educating and empowering patients, her goal is to help every patient lead a healthier and happier life. Outside of healthcare, Tina enjoys hiking, physical fitness, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two children.

Caitlin Lockhart

PA-C

Caitlin Lockhart is passionate about using her love of medicine and learning about the intricacies of the human body to educate her patients and improve their health. She enjoys building relationships with her patients and helping to guide them along their healthcare journeys. Caitlin is dedicated to collaborating with her patients during all aspects of their medical care to create a plan that optimizes a healthy lifestyle. She earned her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, hiking with her two huskies, skiing, reading, and travelling.

At LiveNew you your team is designed to empower you; come LiveNew today!