Our Physicians
- Matthew L. Mancini, MD, FACS, FASMBS
- Gregory J. Mancini, MD, FACS, FASMBS
- Melissa S. Phillips, MD, FACS
- Kyle L. Kleppe, MD, FACS, FASMBS
- Tanaz Vaghaiwalla, MD, FACS
- Kaela E. Blake, MD
Surgical Fellow
Physician Assistants & Nurse Practioners
Emeritus
Olivera Dessieux, MSN, FNP-BC, RN, ACSM/HFS
Education
MS, University of Tennessee
FNP-BC, University of Tennessee
Born and raised in Bosnia, Olivera Dessieux holds a Bachelor of Science with a focus on Exercise Science from the University of Tennessee. In addition to being a Family Nurse Practitioner, she has Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of Tennessee.
Mrs. Dessieux has a passion for exercise and has had experience as an Exercise Director, a Health and Wellness Director and was even a Strength and Conditioning Student Assistant for the Lady Vols. At the University Surgeons she mainly focuses on general surgery and gastroparesis patients, and assists with some weight loss patients.
She enjoys spending time with her family, she loves running, and has completed numerous half marathons.
Ms. Dessieux has a Family NP license in Tennessee, is board certified by ANCC, and certifies as a Health Specialist by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Selected Links and Resources
PUBLICATIONS
Lora Humphrey Beebe PhD, P MHNP-BC; Renee Burk; Kelly B. McIntyre; Kathlene Smith; Dawn Velligan; Abbas Tavakoli; Cliff Tennison; and Olivera Dessieux. “Effect of a Motivational Group Intervention on Exercise Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectations for Exercise in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders” Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association 2010 16: 105-113. doi:10.1177/1078390310364428
Lora Humphrey Beebe PhD, P MHNP-BC; Renee Burk; Kelly B. McIntyre; Kathlene Smith; Dawn Velligan; Barbara Resnick; Abbas Tavakoli; Cliff Tennison; and Olivera Dessieux. "Motivating Persons with Schizophrenia to Exercise: Rationale and Design" Clinical Schizophrenia and Related Psychoses 3.2 (2009): 111-116.
Patrick Schneider, Ph.D., Scott Crouter, M.S., Olivera Lukajic, M.S. David Basett Jr., Ph.D., FACSM “Accuracy and reliability of 10 pedometers for measuring steps over a 400 m walk”.
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003 Oct; 35(10): 1779-1784.
Emily Krumm, M.S., Olivera L. Dessieux M.S., Pam Andrews, M.S., and Dixie L. Thompson, Ph.D. FACSM. “The Relationship Between Daily Steps and Body Composition in Postmenopausal Women”
Journal of Women’s Health. 2006 March: 15 (2): 202-210.
Dixie L Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, Emily M Krumm, M.S., Olivera L Dessieux, M.S., and Pamela Andrews, M.S. “Pedometer-measured walking and risk factor for disease”.
South Med J, 2006 Jan:99 (1): 100-1.