Dr. Okeefe Simmons
Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Weight Management Expert

Dr. Okeefe Simmons graduated from medical school at the University of Miami with research honors, followed by an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Texas – Southwestern Medical Center where he was named an emerging liver scholar, a national distinction awarded by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). He then completed four years of fellowship training at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and Cornell Medicine / New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
Dr. Simmons is the first triple fellowship-trained physician in gastroenterology, bariatric endoscopy, and obesity medicine in the country.
Dr. Simmons has clinical, procedural, and research expertise in these areas – he has completed thousands of endoscopic procedures and has authored multiple research papers and textbook chapters in these fields. He is a member of multiple medical organizations, including the Association for Bariatric Endoscopy, the Obesity Society, and the Association for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Dr. Simmons also teaches University of Miami gastroenterology fellowship trainees at the Miami Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center.
Dr. Simmons is a prominent gastroenterologist with extensive expertise in bariatric medicine. His dedication to gastroenterology and obesity medicine helped him contribute immensely to the advancement of these fields and be of service to hundreds of patients who have sustained a new healthy lifestyle. Many patients express their gratitude to Dr. Simmons not only because he is a highly-qualified and devoted gastroenterologist, but also because he is a compassionate and caring human being who always takes time to better understand the situation of each person and provide individualized treatment.
Education- University of Miami, Medical School
- University of Texas – Southwestern Medical Center, Residency in Internal Medicine
- University of Southern California, Fellowship in Gastroenterology
- Cornell Medicine / New York Presbyterian Hospital, Fellowship in Bariatric Endoscopy
- Cornell Medicine / New York Presbyterian Hospital, Fellowship in Obesity Medicine
Board Certification- American Board of Internal Medicine
- American Board of Subspecialties
- American Board of Obesity Medicine
Membership- Association for Bariatric Endoscopy (ABE)
- Obesity Society
- Association for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)
- American Board of Internal Medicine
- American Board of Subspecialties
- American Board of Obesity Medicine
Membership- Association for Bariatric Endoscopy (ABE)
- Obesity Society
- Association for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)


What Our Patients Are Saying
Dr. Simmons is very good and caring. He takes his time and I am extremely happy with everyone. The office staffs are wonderful and also very caring. Thank you for all you have done and still do for me.
Dr. Okeefe is great. The balloon procedure was quick and has worked for me. After the procedure I lost 45 pounds (and counting!). His team has been awesome during this process.
Publications
The Association of Metabolic Risk Factors with Advanced Adenomas in Hispanic Patients
Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2024

Endobariatrics: a Still Underutilized Weight Loss Tool
Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology, 2023

Pharmacologic Management of Weight Regain Following Bariatric Surgery
Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2023

Efficacy of Endoscopic Resuturing Versus Pharmacotherapy to Treat Weight Recidivism After Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2023

Liver Transplantation for Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure: Role of Psychiatric Comorbidity in Listing Decisions and Outcomes
Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2020

Primary Care Provider Practice Patterns and Barriers to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2019

Cross-sectional Analysis Of Patient Phone Calls To An Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic
Annals of Gastroenterology, 2015

Reference Fitness Values In The Untrained Spinal Cord Injury Population
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2014
