Obesity Medicine Association Names Katrina Crist Executive Director

New ED brings two decades of medical association leadership to vision for OMA

DENVER, Colo., Aug. 14, 2020 — The Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) today announced Katrina Crist as its new executive director effective September 14. Crist was most recently the chief executive officer for the Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology (APIC) and brings more than 23 years’ experience as an executive director and chief executive officer within the medical association sector.

“After an extensive nationwide search, the Board of Trustees enthusiastically selected Ms. Crist because of her proven experience in growing membership associations in an ever-changing external environment,” said Dr. Craig Primack, OMA president. “One thing this pandemic has shown us is that people with obesity are a higher risk for severe COVID infection. Treating Obesity comprehensively as a disease is more important now than ever. Ms. Crist has been successful with helping organizations leverage strategic opportunities for long-term, sustainable impact. We are confident that her breadth and depth of expertise will build on the momentum OMA has already achieved and lead us to greater visibility and influence.”

“Helping medical associations grow and thrive has been the source of the greatest opportunities and successes in my career. I’m honored to be entrusted with that same responsibility as OMA sits on the forefront of obesity medicine and strives to overcome obesity for patients and society,” Crist said. “This organization does tremendously important work. I’m excited to be a part of it and I look forward to helping further that impact.”

In addition to her nine years at APIC, where she worked to increase revenue by 30 percent, Crist has twice served as executive director for the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) and held the same role for the JDRF Center for Islet Transplantation out of Harvard Medical School in Boston. Crist’s second tenure at ASTS saw the membership double and revenue growth in excess of $9 million. Ms. Crist earned her MBA from Boston University and obtained her certification as an association executive from the American Society of Association Executives.

Crist joins OMA at a moment when it is imperative to offer resources to health care providers treating patients with obesity. In the years to come, she, along with the OMA Board of Trustees, staff, and membership will move the organization forward with an emphasis on education and advocacy for obesity treatment.

Questions and media inquiries may be directed to:
303-770-2526 or press@obesitymedicine.org.

About Obesity Medicine Association

The Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) is the largest organization of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare providers dedicated to preventing, treating, and reversing the disease of obesity. Members of OMA believe treating obesity requires a scientific and individualized clinical approach comprised of OMA’s four pillars of nutrition, physical activity, behavior, and medication. When personalized, this comprehensive approach helps patients achieve their weight and health goals. Visit obesitymedicine.org to learn more.

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