Dr. Darrell Doucette is a dual board-certified bariatric and general surgeon serving Huntsville, Alabama and the surrounding region. With over a decade of specialized training and clinical experience, Dr. Doucette combines surgical precision with a patient-centered approach to bariatric and general surgery care. His commitment to excellence extends beyond clinical practice to include research, education, community service, expert witness consulting, and thought leadership in bariatric surgery.

Dr. Doucette has performed over 3,000 weight loss surgeries throughout his career, demonstrating extensive clinical experience and mastery in bariatric surgical techniques.

Board Certifications and Credentials

Dr. Doucette holds prestigious board certifications demonstrating his commitment to excellence and ongoing professional development:

• American Board of Surgery
• American Board of Obesity Medicine

These dual certifications reflect Dr. Doucette’s comprehensive expertise in both surgical and medical approaches to obesity treatment, as well as his specialized training in minimally invasive surgery and advanced endoscopic procedures.

Committee Service

Dr. Doucette has contributed to professional and institutional committees:

• American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Membership Committee — Active member contributing to professional development and standards
• UMass General Surgery Residency Surgical Education Committee — Member
• UMass General Surgery Residency Work Hours Task Force — Member
• Crestwood Medical Center — Bariatric Committee Member
• Huntsville Hospital — Bariatric Committee Member

Research Experience and Publications

Dr. Doucette’s commitment to advancing bariatric surgery and surgical science extends to clinical research. His research background demonstrates his dedication to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement in patient outcomes.

Research Projects

University of Massachusetts Medical Center Department of Surgery, Worcester, Massachusetts
Research Technician — Dr. Richard Perugini (July 2011 – June 2014)

Conducted chart reviews and database analysis to determine outcome predictors for patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery. This research contributed to understanding factors that optimize patient outcomes in bariatric surgery.

University of Massachusetts Medical Center Division of Trauma and Critical Care, Worcester, Massachusetts
Research Technician — Dr. Timothy Emhoff (March 2012 – May 2012)

Reviewed charts and analyzed data to determine the appropriate criteria and process for initiation of the massive transfusion protocol at a Level I trauma center. This quality improvement project contributed to standardized protocols for trauma patient management.

University of Massachusetts Medical Center Division of Pediatric Surgery, Worcester, Massachusetts
Research Technician — Dr. Anthony DeRoss (September 2007 – November 2008)

Developed a radiographic method to measure pre-operative gastric volume in appendicitis patients in order to study and re-evaluate NPO (nothing by mouth) guidelines. This research contributed to evidence-based perioperative protocols.

University of Massachusetts Medical Center Division of Plastic Surgery, Worcester, Massachusetts
Research Fellow — Dr. Raymond Dunn (June 2004 – August 2004)

Involved in a project that carried out a temporal analysis of baseline cytokine levels in acute wound fluid of skin graft donor sites. This temporal data was compared to cytokine levels of select chronic wounds to investigate the biochemical disparities between normal wound healing and non-healing wounds.

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
Research Technician — Dr. Othon Iliopoulos (November 2002 – July 2003)

Engineered stable tumorigenic cell lines in order to validate a gene product as a molecular target for anti-cancer drug development. Maintained approximately 50-75 tissue culture cell lines, carried out and designed experiments to test various hypotheses, attended weekly lab meetings, and presented experimental results.

Vermont Forensic Laboratory, Waterbury, Vermont
Intern — Dr. Eric Buel (September 2000 – February 2001)

Carried out DNA quantification research developing a protocol for amplex red, learned quality control procedures, was introduced to Quantiblot human DNA quantitation, calibrated a new GC-MS instrument, prepared proposals, ran various experiments, analyzed data, and suggested possible improvements.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Zimmer M, Doucette D, Siddiqui N, Iliopoulos O. “Inhibition of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Is Sufficient for Growth Suppression of VHL-/- Tumors.” Molecular Cancer Research. 2004 Feb;2(2):89-95.PubMed: 14985465

Presentations and Posters

Dr. Doucette has presented his research and clinical expertise at regional and national conferences:

Podium Presentations

Doucette, D., Emhoff, T. (May 2011). “Transfusion Protocol at a Level I Trauma Center: A Quality Improvement Project.” Podium presentation at the 18th Annual NESS Surgical Resident and Fellow Research Presentation Day, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Poster Presentations

Doucette, D., Perugini, R. (April 2014). “The Powered Echelon Flex Endopath Stapler (EFPE) Leads to Less Postoperative Hemorrhage Following Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Evidence for an Unanticipated Benefit From the Powered Staple Device.” Poster presentation at the SAGES 2014 Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Doucette, D. (August 2004). “Characterization of Temporal Changes in Human Acute Wound Fluid.” Poster presented at the Division of Plastic Surgery, UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA.

Speaking Engagements and Thought Leadership

Dr. Doucette is a recognized expert in bariatric surgery and outpatient surgical best practices. He has been invited to present at national conferences and webinars, sharing his clinical insights with surgeons across the country:

• “Best Practices for Providing Outpatient Bariatric Surgery” – Webinar (March 2022)
• “Strategies and Best Practices for Outpatient Bariatric Surgery” – Webinar (May 2022)
• “Best Practices for Providing Outpatient Bariatric Surgery” – Webinar (March 2023)
• “Best Practices for Providing Outpatient Bariatric Surgery” – Webinar (November 2023)

Volunteer Experience and Community Service

Dr. Doucette is committed to serving his community and addressing unmet health needs. His volunteer experience reflects his dedication to public health, medical education, and service to underserved populations.

Albert Schweitzer Fellowship

Fellow — Boston, Massachusetts (2004 – 2005)

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship strives to develop leaders in service by providing community service fellowships for graduate students in health-related fields who are dedicated to addressing unmet health needs in their local areas. During his time as a fellow, Dr. Doucette’s project focused upon helping the homeless population at the People in Peril (PIP) shelter in Worcester. The principal activities of his project included determining the health insurance status of PIP shelter patrons, helping those without health insurance obtain it, and volunteering at PIP shelter health clinics.

UMass Medical School Surgery Interest Group

Co-Leader — Worcester, Massachusetts (2003 – 2005)

Familiarized UMass medical students with the field of surgery by setting up interactive suturing and laparoscopic workshops, hosting seminars and discussions with faculty, arranging student shadowing in the operating room, and organizing the Surgical Advisor program.

Mustard Seed Soup Kitchen

Co-Leader — Worcester, Massachusetts (2003 – 2005)

Organized and helped UMass volunteers serve dinner to 150-200 indigent people in the Worcester community five times per semester, providing direct service to vulnerable populations.

Epworth Free-Care Clinic

Volunteer — Worcester, Massachusetts (2003 – 2004)

Volunteered under supervision in the clinic program, which provides medical services to the underserved and uninsured populations in the greater Worcester area.

Massachusetts Medical Society Committee on Violence

Member and Student Representative — Waltham, Massachusetts (2006 – 2007)

The committee provides educational assistance, advice, and counsel to the Society and its leadership on matters relating to the intervention and prevention of violence, with a particular emphasis on family violence, school violence, and sexual assault. During the 2006-2007 presidential year, the committee assisted the Society in establishing educational programs/materials and policies aimed at prevention, detection, and intervention for various forms of violence and abuse. The committee also worked with the Boston Public Health Commission regarding a proposal for a safe bed policy for violence victims at Boston hospitals and collaborated with the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention and the Injury Prevention and Control Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on suicide prevention initiatives.

Department of Public Health Community Immunity Day

Volunteer — Worcester, Massachusetts (2007)

Administered influenza vaccine to patients under the auspices of the Worcester Department of Public Health and the Worcester Medical Reserve Corps in order to promote health, strengthen the public health infrastructure, and improve emergency preparedness.

Boston University Outreach Van Project

Volunteer — Boston, Massachusetts (2001 – 2002)

The Outreach Van provides basic health care to the homeless and medically underserved populations in the Boston area. The Outreach van offers medical services and supplies as well as food, clothing, and blankets on a weekly basis.

Hospital Privileges and Affiliations

Dr. Doucette maintains privileges at three major Huntsville-area hospitals and a surgery center:

• Crestwood Medical Center — Huntsville, AL
• Madison Surgery Center— Madison, AL
• Huntsville Hospital — Huntsville, AL
• Madison Hospital — Madison, AL

These affiliations ensure that surgical procedures are performed in accredited facilities with comprehensive support services, including anesthesia, nursing, and post-operative care.