Dr. Amy Coopersmith
Amy Coopersmith, DNP, ARNP, is a nurse practitioner at Florida Coast Weight Loss Center, helping patients in Orlando, Jacksonville, and Daytona Beach to successfully navigate a path to better health. Dr. Coopersmith is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who received her Master’s degree in Nursing at the University of San Diego and went on to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Florida.
Dr. Coopersmith has more than 20 years of experience in the medical field, and her expertise is backed by multiple certifications in nutrition and specialized training in cosmetic procedures. She also served in the United States Army Nurse Corps, achieving the rank of Major before moving on to work as a primary care nurse practitioner.
In addition to working with bariatric patients at Florida Coast Weight Loss Center, Dr. Coopersmith also leads Amethyst Wellness in Palm Coast, Florida, where she provides customized medical aesthetics, anti-aging, and lifestyle treatments to enhance well-being.
Julie Yencha, Practice Manager
Born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, Julie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Seton Hill University. She moved to the east coast of Florida shortly after college and not only fell in love with the area but also with the people who reside here. Although she did not follow in the footsteps of a long line of nurses in her family, Julie’s compassion and commitment to patient care are immeasurable.
Julie has spent the majority of the last 30 years functioning as an office manager and is excited about using this experience to help enhance the lives of our patient community. Julie is faith-driven and strives to make a difference in the lives of the people she serves.
Outside of the workplace, Julie enjoys spending time outdoors, going to rock concerts, and most of all, spending quality time with family and friends.
Meet Sally Winkler — Your Compassionate Patient Navigator
Originally from Eastern North Carolina, Sally discovered her love for teaching at an early age. She earned an advanced degree in Special Education from the University of North Carolina and the University of Virginia. Sally spent a decade in the classroom—educating and inspiring students across North Carolina, California, and Florida.
After teaching, Sally devoted herself to raising her three energetic sons. Between carpools, sports practices, and early-morning routines, she also found time to give back—volunteering weekly with her local educational foundation and serving as a mentor in the community.
An early-morning fitness enthusiast, Sally leads by example—cheering on bootcamp classmates at 5 AM and returning home to prepare nutritious breakfasts for her family. Her passion for physical activity and wholesome living is also evident in her school programs that promote student fitness and healthy nutrition.
Now as your Patient Navigator, Sally combines her teaching expertise, community spirit, and supportive nature to guide patients on their weight loss surgery journey. Her goal? To provide encouragement, clear information, and a caring hand that helps you feel confident and empowered at every step.
Candy Peterson, NASM CPT & Primal Health Coach
Candy is a Florida native who grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. Her introduction to healthcare started after high school, when she became a registered respiratory therapist. Over the years, Candy developed a passion for health and fitness, later realizing she could pass this passion on to others. It became evident that beyond fitness, nutrition was central to a person’s overall health and wellness.
Candy is a NASM-certified personal trainer with additional certifications in corrective exercise and performance enhancement. She is also a certified Primal Health Coach and nutritionist, and she runs our educational programs. The Finish Strong program is specifically designed for post-op patients while the ReSet-ReWire-ReYou program is designed for patients who do not desire surgery or who have had surgery in the past but did not receive the education needed to produce long term success. These programs are tailored to each individual.
Candy is married and a boy mom to 3 great kids. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, paddle boarding and golfing.
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The surgeons at Florida Coast Weight Loss Center have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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