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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.

Sometimes the career you were meant to have is one you never knew existed. For Kia Mitchell, MD, DABOM, that realization came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before then, she rarely spent time on social media but, during the shutdown, found herself reconnecting with colleagues online. One day, she came across a post from a fellow physician celebrating their new board-certification in obesity medicine.

Medicare coverage of GLP-1s for weight loss indications will occur under the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Model, rather than the BALANCE Model, through December 31, 2027. Eligible Medicare beneficiaries will continue to have access to covered GLP-1 medications nationwide with a fixed $50 copay through the extended Bridge Model. While the Bridge Model was originally scheduled to end December 31, 2026 – to be replaced by BALANCE on January 1, 2027 – CMS extended the Bridge Model to allow for ongoing coverage of GLP-1 medications given the delay of the BALANCE model. The extension of the Bridge Model will enable eligible Part D beneficiaries across the country to access covered GLP-1 medications through December 2027, regardless of their Part D plan sponsors’ participation decisions. CMS’ announced changes to Medicare coverage of GLP-1 medications are not expected to affect Medicaid coverage of the medications under the BALANCE model.

For Omosefe Ogbeifun, MD, MPH, medicine has always been about making a lasting difference. "For me, I’ve always been passionate about serving people. I feel healthcare gives me the opportunity to improve the health of people but also creates a positive, long-lasting impact in the lives of people" That passion is what first drew her to primary care. She enjoyed the continuity of care and the relationships she built with patients over time.