Forty Under 40: Josh Roller, M.D., 36

Since moving to Northwest Arkansas in August 2007, Josh Roller has successfully performed more than 1,100 weight-loss surgeries.

Fresh from a fellowship in minimally invasive bariatric and advanced laparoscopic general surgery at Duke University Medical Center, he was the first advanced laparoscopic surgeon in the region.

He and his wife, a family physician and bariatric medical specialist, opened their own clinic in Fayetteville in August 2009. They now serve patients from throughout Arkansas and surrounding states.

“Being able to bring an advanced surgical procedure to this population, with no deaths and few complications, is way ahead of national statistics,” Roller said.

Obesity is every bit as deadly a disease as cancer, he said, “and our weight-loss surgery patients are some of the sickest out there.

“They tell me we gave them their lives back,” he said. “It’s extremely gratifying.”

He’s also proud to be the first official general surgeon for the Razorbacks.

Roller sponsors lots of activities at the New School, which his two daughters attend, and he’s eagerly awaiting the birth of his third child in October.

An avid golfer, he’s introducing his daughters to the sport.

He tells others thinking of starting a business to trust themselves to make it happen.
“Don’t settle for the status quo, and do not be intimidated,” he said.