Megan Bell, MPAS, PA-C
February 28, 2025
By: Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
Categories: Healthy Living, TMH Physician Partners
We’re spotlighting Megan Bell, MPAS, PA-C, the physician assistant who works alongside Joey Jarrard, MD, playing a crucial role in every step of our bariatric patients’ journeys.
In the operating room, Megan assists Dr. Jarrard by managing the robotic surgical system while he operates from the console. Outside the OR, she rounds on post-op patients, conducts consultations, and sees patients for follow-ups. She also has her own clinic days for initial and post-operative visits.
Her path to medicine was unexpected—Megan originally trained at FSU to be an opera singer before realizing her passion lay elsewhere. Megan shifted to medicine, inspired by her father, Greg Laffitte, PA-C.
Megan earned her Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University in 2012, followed by her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Charleston in 2015. She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine—an achievement held by fewer than 150 PAs nationwide.
She moved back to Tallahassee in 2018 and joined TMH’s bariatric program, drawn to building long-term relationships with patients and seeing them transform their lives to become healthier.
Megan takes a holistic approach to care, focusing on patient safety, thorough medical history, and personalized treatment. The advancements made in surgery over the last few years with the assistance of robotic surgical systems continues to inspire Megan to ensure the best, evidence-based outcomes for patients.
“I want my patients to know that I genuinely care about them and will do everything in my power to keep them safe and ensure they have the best experience,” said Megan. “That’s why I love TMH—since we’re a nonprofit organization, our care is focused on giving people what they need to be healthy, and not profit.”
