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For Stephen Finney, MD, DABOM, FAAFP, the most powerful tool in obesity medicine isn't a medication or a treatment plan; it’s building long-lasting relationships with patients and watching them celebrate the moments they never thought were possible.

Despite loving her role, she always felt she could make a greater impact on her patients — then she discovered obesity medicine. Persondek became board-certified in obesity medicine. Today, she practices obesity medicine full-time at her own multidisciplinary clinic, where she and six physicians (along with psychologists, dietitians, physical therapists, health coaches, and fitness professionals) work together to help patients improve their health through comprehensive obesity care. Looking back, she says obesity medicine wasn't simply another specialty. Long before she began treating patients with obesity, she had her own journey with the disease. "But I continued to struggle with losing weight." When the opportunity to become board-certified in obesity medicine became available, she saw it as more than professional development. Today, her practice reflects every aspect of the four pillars of obesity treatment. Patients have access to physicians specializing in obesity medicine, behavioral health support, physical therapy, nutrition counseling, health coaching, group fitness classes, and even cooking demonstrations designed to help patients develop practical, sustainable skills. "It really needs to touch on all of the pillars of the [Obesity Medicine Association (OMA)] to capture the fullest scope of treatment," she said. Those moments remind her why she calls obesity medicine "positive medicine." Creating a Place to Belong When asked what accomplishments make her most proud, she doesn't mention awards or certifications; she talks about her clinic. Instead of simply receiving treatment, her patients find encouragement, education, and people who understand their experiences. By combining her own lived experience with evidence-based medicine and a comprehensive team approach, she has created a community where patients feel understood, supported, and empowered to reclaim their health.

For Nisha Kuruvadi, DO, DABLM, DABOM, moving to San Diego, California meant more than just returning to her hometown; it meant having the opportunity to provide care for the community that raised her.

Sometimes, the most meaningful moments in medicine have nothing to do with a diagnosis. For Jonathan Fero, FNP-C, one patient encounter made him realize the importance of obesity care.

When Jacqueline Chan, MD, DABOM, FAAP, FOMA, introduces herself, she often jokes that people remember her best as "Jacqui Chan." "It's easier to remember that way," she laughed. But for the families she cares for, she's remembered for something far more meaningful. As a pediatrician, pediatric endocrinologist, and obesity medicine specialist, Dr. Chan helps her young patients build healthier futures while changing the way pediatric obesity is understood and treated within her community.

From an early age, Venkata Sushma Chamarthi, MD, DABOM, knew medicine was the path she wanted to pursue. Long before she entered medical school, she knew she wanted to become a physician. Although no one in her family had worked in healthcare, she never questioned the path she wanted to take.

Norfleet is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine. Norfleet built her career in primary care, obesity medicine was personal before it became professional, as she had struggled with her weight for most of her life. "I understood how hard it is not only to lose weight, but also to keep the weight off." At the same time, she cared for patients with many of those same struggles. A colleague encouraged her to attend a local obesity medicine meeting in St. I didn't know this existed!" She immediately began asking herself: "How can I be a primary care physician, knowing that every day I get questions about weight, and I do not know the science behind it? Not only for my patients—but for myself." That curiosity led her to the Obesity Medicine Association. She became board-certified in obesity medicine and has attended every OMA conference since. Norfleet, obesity care is about more than helping her patients within an office visit. "The climate of medicine now is we only have 15 minutes to talk to our patients," she said. Weight Liberation also allows her to reach patients she may not be able to meet in person. Whether speaking to one patient or hundreds of clinicians, her goal of helping others better understand obesity as a chronic disease remains at the forefront. It has also taught her an important lesson: "When I was advocating on Capitol Hill, I realized many of the representatives just didn't understand what obesity was." Helping the policymakers understand the science and the human stories behind the disease has become one of her greatest priorities. I just want to talk to my patients." Rather than talking at patients, she focuses on talking with them. She believes meaningful care begins by understanding who patients are, what challenges they face, and what they hope to achieve. As the OMA celebrates Member Appreciation Month, her story is a reminder that changing obesity care requires more than science alone.

For Tahera Azharuddin, MD, DABOM, FAAFP, medicine has always been about people. Long before she became board-certified in family medicine, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine, she experienced healthcare in a very personal way. After experiencing her father’s journey with cancer, she witnessed firsthand the emotional, physical, and psychological toll that illness takes on an entire family.

To Orlando Malate, DNP, MBA, APRN, PMHNP-BC, his patients are more than just a diagnosis. Whether he's caring for patients in a psychiatric setting or educating future healthcare professionals, Malate works hard to truly understand a patient before developing a treatment plan.