Awards Committee 3.14.24

First page Table of contents 1 Next page Last page

OMA Award Descriptions: Awards are presented at the Obesity Medicine Annual Conference to obesity medicine clinicians whose outstanding achievements are deserving of special recognition.

OMA Award Page: https://obesitymedicine.org/membership/become-a-member/awards/

Dr. Peter G. Lindner Award:

• Presented in honor of Dr. Lindner, a gifted teacher, who worked with the scientific community to further the mission of OMA and achieve recognition of its members. Dr. Raymond E. Dietz Meritorious Service Award: • In honor of Dr. Dietz, a pioneer, this award recognizes an individual who has made continuing contributions to OMA. Dr. Vernon B. Astler Award: • Recognizes the efforts of a member to advance OMA’s place and purpose to the media, government, and/or medical community, as did Dr. Astler in helping guide OMA to secure a seat in the American Medical Association House of Delegates. Steelman-Seim Educator Award for Excellence in Academics: • Bestowed upon a member exhibiting excellence in advancing the cause of health care through education and teaching. Dr. William H McCarthy Clinician of the Year: • Recognizes a clinician who has done the most to advance the field of obesity medicine and OMA. Committee Leadership Award:

• Recognizes outstanding contributions by one or more individuals who worked on a committee-driven project and furthered an initiative on behalf of OMA.

OMA Award Nominees 2024

Steelman-Seim Educator Award for Excellence in Academics Candidate Designation Nicholas Pennings DO, FOMA, FACOFP Steven Teoh (x2) MD Rajeev Kurapati MD, MBA Edmond "Trey" Wickham MD, MPH

Dr. Vernon B. Astler Award

Candidate Angela Fitch Emily Weaver

Designation

MD, FOMA, DABOM BSN, RN, AGPCNP

Dr. Raymond E. Dietz Meritorious Service Award Candidate Designation Angela Golden

DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FOMA

Justin Tondt

Courtney Younglove

MD, FOMA, DABOM, FACOG

Dr. Peter G. Lindner Award

Candidate

Designation

Shagun Bindlish (x6)

MD FACP DABOM

Committee Leadership Award

Candidate

Designation

Christopher Weber Rebecca M. Andrick

MD, FAAP, FACP, CSCS, FOMA, DABOM

DO MD MD

Mitzy Rubin

Verlyn Warrington

Dr. William H. McCarthy Clinician of the Year

Candidate

Designation

Kerry Traugott Alex Bonnecaze Rita Kathawa

DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

MD, board certified in Endocrine and ABOM

MD, MA

Verlyn Warrington

MD MD MD

Rita Kathawa

William H. McCarthy

Dr. Raymond E. Dietz Meritorious Service Award

Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to the community or the nominee's affiliations within the community:

Nominator

Nominee

Nominee's Credentials Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to OMA and the field of obesity medicine:

DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FOMA

Angie has been an active, contributing member of OMA for several years. She chaired the CME Overview Committee, and was a contributing member of the Algorithm and NP/PA Committees. She currently serves in the Education Working Group. She has been faculty for the Board Review Course and contributed to updating the curriculum. She writes and updates MOC questions. She is a frequent speaker at OMA conferences.

Angie is a frequent speaker at local and national conferences. She has been an education planner and faculty for several obesity education projects at AANP and several other organizations. She has served on numerous advisory boards for industry and educational organizations. With the onset and landslide of denials coming in for reimbursement for care rendered in obesity medicine, Dr. Younglove has written hundreds of local appeals for her own patients in her own clinic. These have been 12-15 page documents outlining the need for care and giving reference to scientific data reinforcing the need for people to receive care for the disease of obesity. She has been a guest speaker at local and national groups gathered to improve the healthcare environment in America and specifically to include the coverage for patients seeking treatment of obesity. Locally, she has supported community efforts at improving access to care and raising awareness of the scope of the disease of obesity. She is an active member in her local Chamber of Commerce helping to put a spotlight on her weight management clinic and further raise awareness of metabolic dysfunction and it's impacts on both a local and global

Angela Golden

Sandra Christensen

Dr. Younglove did a phenomenal job at moderating the 2023 Fall OMA conference in San Antonio. She was well organized, well spoken, knowledgeable, and genuine. She is the most upbeat individual I have ever met with a hard to-contain passion for treating the disease of obesity and beating it. She strives to learn every aspect of treating this disease and she is forging a path forward aimed at treating the root cause of obesity and reversing the underlying pathophysiology from the start. She has sat on OMA committees and given her time to bettering the environment for both patients and providers. Justin has done an extraordinary amount of work on the Obesity Algorithm for the past 2 years. He's also associate editor of Obesity Pillars. Thats on top of speaking at conference and being an active participant on other committees.

MD, FOMA, DABOM, FACOG

Maribeth Orr

Courtney Younglove

Michelle Freshwater

Justin Tondt

I believe Justin has been involved in teaching clinicians in training at his institution, introducing the next generation to the practice of obesity medicine.

Steelman-Seim Educator Award for Excellence in Academics

Nominator

Nominee

Nominee's Credentials Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to OMA and the field of obesity medicine:

Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to the community or the nominee's affiliations within the community:

Dr Wickham is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism. He has devoted the last 18 years of his life to the evidence-based and compassionate care of youth and adults with obesity and became board certified in obesity medicine in 2015. In 2012, he founded the Healthy Lifestyles Center, a comprehensive pediatric obesity treatment and research center, at Childrenâ€™s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Through the center, he has conducted extensive research to further the understanding and treatment of childhood obesity and has changed countless lives of children and their families. He is a revered educator having won numerous teaching awards and educates trainees at all levels (medical students, residents and fellows). He has spent countless hours developing and is Program Director of Virginiaâ€™s first pediatric obesity medicine fellowship program, now in its second year. He is a highly sought after lecturer speaking at the local, regional and national levels. His lecture, â€œWords Matterâ€ , encourages providers to consider how they communicate with patients, particularly those with obesity. He has numerous publications in the field of obesity as well as a book chapter. Although an OMA member for only the past two years, he has been a member of The Obesity Society for many. He has been heavily involved in the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) where he is currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and has been on the Certification Exam Item and Form Review Committee and Job Task Analysis (JTA) Committee. His work with the JTA is foundational to the field as we move to clarify what it means to practice obesity medicine. He was on the Obesity Task Force for the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Commissionerâ€™s Work Group on Obesity Prevention and Control for the Virginia Department of Health. He was recently selected as the Champion for Healthy Lifestyles for the Virginia Chapter of the AAP. Dr. Steven Teoh's contributions to the Obesity Medical Association (OMA) and the field of obesity medicine have been invaluable. His dedication to education and teaching has significantly advanced the cause of healthcare in combating obesity. Dr. Steven has supervised numerous students pursuing their Master of Science degrees, providing them with comprehensive guidance and mentorship in the field of obesity medicine. Moreover, his mentorship extends beyond academia, as he has mentored three individuals in the Obesity Medical Association (OMA) and five in the Academy of Family Physicians Malaysia (AFPM) Advanced Training in Family Medicine (ATFM) program. Through these mentorship initiatives, Dr. Steven has not only nurtured future leaders in obesity medicine but has also fostered a culture of excellence and innovation within the medical community. Furthermore, Dr. Stevens's prolific research output and publications have significantly contributed to the body of knowledge in obesity medicine. His role as a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) and speaker in various healthcare forums and talks has further disseminated crucial information and insights to healthcare professionals and students alike. Additionally, Dr. Steven's leadership in running the obesity clinic at a university hospital in Penang, Malaysia, underscores his commitment to providing comprehensive care and support to individuals struggling with obesity. His efforts in patient care, coupled with his educational initiatives and research endeavors, highlight his exemplary contributions to OMA and the field of obesity medicine. Moreover, Dr. Steven's unique position as one of the few primary care physicians in Malaysia with fellowship training in bariatric medicine is noteworthy. He has been instrumental in introducing and creating awareness of such fellowship programs to fellow PCPs in Malaysia. By advocating for specialized training in bariatric medicine, Dr. Steven is not only enhancing the capabilities of primary care physicians in addressing obesity-related concerns but also expanding the scope of obesity medicine within the healthcare landscape of Malaysia. Dr. Rajeev Kurapati's contributions to the field of obesity medicine, particularly through education and authorship, mark a significant impact on both the medical community and public discourse surrounding obesity, health, and body positivity. His multifaceted approach, combining direct patient care with the education of medical students, residents, and broader audiences, reflects a deep commitment to improving understanding and treatment of obesity in a holistic and compassionate manner. Educator in the Hospital Setting: In the hospital setting, Dr. Kurapati (as a Hospitalist) has played a pivotal role in educating medical students and residents about the complexities of obesity. By integrating the latest research and clinical practices, he has provided these future healthcare professionals with a nuanced understanding of obesity that goes beyond traditional views. His teachings emphasize the multifactorial nature of obesity, including genetic, environmental, psychological, and social determinants, thereby equipping his students with the knowledge to approach obesity with a comprehensive and empathetic strategy. Dr. Kurapati's educational efforts extend to patients, where he has been instrumental in shifting the narrative from blame to understanding. By educating patients about the science of obesity and the myriad factors that contribute to it, he empowers them to take charge of their health in an informed and self-compassionate way. This patient education is crucial in a hospital setting, where individuals often encounter the medical system at vulnerable points in their lives. Author of "The Book of Body Positivity" Dr. Kurapati's authorship of "The Book of Body Positivity" further amplifies his contributions to obesity medicine and the broader societal conversation about body image, health, and wellness. This work critically examines the failures of current measures to control the so-called obesity epidemic and proposes thoughtful solutions toward a healthier future for individuals and the planet. By critiquing the current practice of medicine and the fragmented science centered around weight and health, Dr. Kurapati challenges prevailing narratives that oversimplify obesity and its solutions. His book serves as an astute guide for readers to navigate the complex interplay between individual health and societal factors, advocating for a more integrated and compassionate approach to health and wellness. "The Book of Body Positivity" not only contributes to the academic and professional discourse on obesity but also reaches out to a broader audience, fostering a more inclusive and understanding conversation about body image and health. Through this work, Dr. Kurapati has positioned himself as a thought leader in the movement towards a more empathetic and holistic approach to obesity and health care. Dr. Rajeev Kurapati's dual role as an educator and author represents a significant contribution to the field of obesity medicine. By challenging traditional paradigms and advocating for a more compassionate and comprehensive approach to understanding and treating obesity, he has influenced both the next generation of healthcare professionals and the broader public. His work underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of obesity, promoting body positivity, and working towards a healthier future for all individuals, irrespective of their weight. Dr. Pennings has made considerable efforts to advance awareness about Lipedema, a chronic condition characterized by a symmetrical buildup of often-painful adipose tissue in the legs, and sometimes arms and trunk, that is resistant to diet interventions and exercise. Lipedema is commonly confused with and misdiagnosed as obesity. Dr. Pennings participated in several presentations at the UIP/AVLS Conference in Miami in September 2023, including: The Epidemic of Obesity and the Implications of Sedentary Behaviors in Patients, Expand on Using GLP and GIP Receptor Agonists in Lipedema, Obesity Surgery and Lipedema, and Medications for Lipedema Treatment: GLP and GIP Receptor Agonists for Lipedema. He has also been featured on OMA's podcast with Dr. Karen Herbst, titled: Clinical Conversations: Recognizing and Treating Lipedema. Dr. Steven Teoh is a distinguished figure in obesity medicine. His significant contributions to the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) and the field at large include leading Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions such as conferences, workshops, and webinars, where his expertise has had a broad impact both locally and internationally. Recognized as an authority in obesity treatment, Dr. Teoh's profound knowledge and practical approaches have made him a respected voice in the field. His commitment extends to OMA, where as a committee member and my mentor, he has inspired many, including myself, to join and engage actively. His mentorship, marked by consistent in-person and virtual meetings, has been instrumental in providing invaluable guidance. Dr. Teoh's approachability and support for learning, evidenced by his willingness to answer questions and review work, demonstrate his commitment to creating a supportive educational environment, significantly contributing to the professional growth of those around him. Presentations, abstracts and peer reviewed articles (numerous pages) can be furnished upon request. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=edmond+wickham

As Co-director of the Healthy Lifestyles Clinic, he has done extensive community outreach through programs like fruit, vegetable and flavored water tastings, cooking classes and the development of a community garden. He has served as an advisor for Fit4Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving childrenâ€™s health and wellness in the Richmond region.

Susan Wolver

Edmond "Trey" Wickham MD, MPH

Beyond his contributions to OMA and the field of obesity medicine, Dr. Steven Teoh has made significant impacts on the community and his affiliations within it. As a primary care physician, Dr. Steven is deeply invested in improving the health and well-being of the community he serves. His leadership in running the obesity clinic at a university hospital in Penang, Malaysia, directly benefits the local community by providing accessible and specialized care for individuals grappling with obesity-related issues. Moreover, his involvement in mentoring students and healthcare professionals not only fosters professional development but also strengthens the healthcare infrastructure within the community. By sharing his expertise and knowledge, Dr. Teoh empowers others to make meaningful contributions to healthcare delivery and education. Furthermore, Dr. Steven's active participation in community outreach programs and initiatives demonstrates his commitment to promoting health awareness and education beyond the confines of the clinic or academic settings. Whether through conducting health talks, CMEs or participating in health screenings, Dr. Steven actively engages with the community to address prevalent health concerns and promote preventive measures. In addition, it's crucial to note that access to anti-obesity medications is limited in government facilities in Malaysia, with availability near none. However, by operating his obesity clinic in the university hospital, Dr. Steven has made it possible for some patients to attain these medications. While self-paying patients may have fewer hurdles in accessing these medications elsewhere, government workers often face challenges. Dr. Steven has facilitated numerous subsidy requests, ensuring that patients, regardless of their financial circumstances, can access essential anti-obesity medications, thereby significantly impacting their journey towards healthier lifestyles and improved well-being. His efforts in facilitating access to AOM reflect his commitment to equitable healthcare access and his dedication to serving the needs of all members of the community.

MD, Masters in Family Medicine, Fellowship in Bariatric Medicine

KAREN CHRISTELLE

STEVEN TEOH SOOHUAT

Dr Rajeev Kurapati served as the medical director of integrative oncology at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Northern Kentucky. Triple-board certified, and specializing in obesity and lifestyle medicine, Rajeev is also the award-winning author of three booksâ€”Unbound Intelligence (2014), Physician: How Science Transformed the Art of Medicine (2018) and Burnout in Healthcare (2019). His writing has appeared in Slate, Cincinnati Enquirer, Aging America, Journal of Medical Economics, Mind Body Green, Life Hack and Millennial Magazine. He lives in Cincinnati.

Rajeev Kurapati

MD, MBA

Dr. Pennings was part of the committee for establishing the Standard of care for Lipedema in the United States; the first national consensus paper on the condition, published in 2021. He has offered thoughtful input and feedback on educational materials for clinicians in the field surrounding Lipedema, including the best ways to engage with obesity medicine providers to ensure Lipedema is properly diagnosed. Dr. Pennings also participated in Lipedema Foundation's 2023 Lipedema Awareness Month campaign to bring attention to the under-diagnosed condition. He has proven himself to be an invaluable ally to the Lipedema community.

Courtney Mascio, OT/L, CLT Dr. Nicholas Pennings

DO, FOMA, FACOFP

Dr. Steven Teoh established a pioneering obesity medicine clinic at Universiti Sains Malaysia, an initiative that has been recognized by our university's medical faculty. Additionally, he extended his expertise to private healthcare by initiating a visiting service at a private hospital, making obesity treatment more accessible. Dr. Teoh's advocacy for better access to AOMs has recently achieved a significant milestone. Thanks to his efforts, our university's health benefits for staff and their dependents now include coverage for AOMs, markedly enhancing the healthcare provisions available to us.

Shazwany Md Noor

Steven Teoh

Dr. Peter G. Lindner Award

Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to the community or the nominee's affiliations within the community:

Nominee's Credentials Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to OMA and the field of obesity medicine:

Nominee

Nominator

OMA Contributions

Editorial Board-Obesity Pillars Active, engaged committee member-CME, Outreach, Speakers Bureau Contributed to education review & OMA educational products Reviews conference speaker proposals Regularly mentors new OMA members on an ongoing basis and at conferences Faculty for Fundamentals & Board Review courses, conference speaker, webinar presenter Author of two OMA CPS

Board member of ADA-Spearheaded several educational projects that emphasize treating obesity first and the relationship between obesity & diabetes Faculty for numerous obesity education programs, both national and international Presented OMA CPS on Obesity & Diabetes to an international organization Novo Advisory Board Speaker at local conferences Provides obesity education to other clinicians in her clinical practice site

MD, FACP

Shagun Bindlish

Sam Christensen

Associate Editor Obesity Pillars; CME committee, Outreach committee, Speaker Bureau; OMA mentor, faculty - taught obesity medicine in numerous programs / locations, often introducing obesity as a topic in venues where it wasn't previously discussed. Advocates for obesity treatment in the USA and Abroad

Shagun Bindlish

Kirsten Tychonievich

MD, FACP

She educates others locally, nationally and internationally regarding diabetes, obesity, lifestyle medicine and nutrition. She has been active in the American Diabetes Association, the American college of physicians, and others.

To say that Dr. Bindlish's professional education and influence in the fields of obesity/diabetes is international in nature is an understatement! Her work reflects a desire to share information and improve the lives of individuals across the globe. From physician colleagues, to trainees, to other healthcare disciplines and most impressively, to the general public, Dr. Bindlish's reach is seemingly endless. As Board Member and Faculty at the ADA, Dr. Bindlish has elevated the understanding of the relationship of the 2 diseases, promoting a better understanding of how physiology can exacerbate the complexity of the interplay of the two diseases; but more importantly how understanding physiology can streamline treatments, improve health and quality of life.

Within OMA, Dr. Bindlish's reach and enthusiasm is boundless....she serves as a reviewer and author for Obesity Pillars. In addition, Dr. Bindlish has given service to several standing and ad hoc Committees where her dedication to education is evident. Mentoring the next generation of practitioners is reflected in her leadership and involvement with the OMA Mentorship program. Dr. Bindlish is a Champion of best practice and care of patients with obesity and her service to this goal brings credit to the OMA and it's goals in an ongoing manner. It is my sincere honor to nominate Dr. Shagun Bindlish for the Dr. Peter G. Lindner Award.

Nancy Browne

Shagun Bindlish

MD, Dipl, ABOM, ACLM

Shagun has outstanding contribution to Obesity Medicine in the community and other organizations. 1. Board Member of American Diabetes Association- Introduced Diabesity and started various projects in the community in collaboration with ADA to bring awareness about TREAT OBESITY FiRST and CONNECTING THE DOTS: Diabetes and Obesity 2. Faculty: Introduced Obesity Medicine in the Diabetes Fellowship Program and taught fellows, Pharmacists, residents, and medical students about Obesity medicine at Touro University. 3. Faculty at University AT sea: One of the major contributions of bringing Obesity medicine to National and International audiences during CME at cruise ( this program is considered unique as the obesity medicine focus was not present before). 4. DiaBeters non-profit organization in Africa- Contributed Webinars and educational articles about Diabetes and Obesity for patient education- connecting with an international audience. 5. Romanian Society of Lifestyle Medicine: Introduced Obesity management from the Obesity Medicine Association Perspective and presented the CPS Statement about Diabetes and Obesity in the Romanian conference. 6. In India - Collaborated with British Medical Journal and introduced obesity medicine to Indian health care providers and specialists and contributed to building modules and also did a round table to discuss the connection of diabetes and obesity. 7. Advocacy work for American College of Physicians: Two Years in a row advocated about challenges of Diabetes and Obesity and represented California state to the legislators regarding the bill to ease the process of making medications affordable and also ease the process of Prior authorization.

8. Started introduction of the role of continuous glucose monitors in Obesity medicine and was invited by the Washington Obesity Society to talk about CGM in Obesity management. 9. Within her organization: One Medical: Lead of chronic disease management program IMPACT helping health care providers navigate through Obesity management. 10. Paper publication about Lipodystrophy in a renowned journal.

Shagun has been a very active member of OMA and contributed in various ways to the organization by: 1. Serving as Associate editor for Obesity Pillars of Medicine Journal for the past 1 year and published two CPS statements with Dr. Bays. 2. Committees - She has been a very engaging committee member since she joined and has served in the Outreach committee, CME committee, and Speaker beaureu committee. Reviewed the CME educational content and course material, blogs, articles, and videos for the outreach committee. 3. Mentorship- has mentored up to 5 members during meetings and also offline and maintained continued relationships to help mentors in getting ABOM certification and starting obesity medicine practice 4. Teaching: Taught fundamentals course, participated in webinars, and also board review course. 5. Reviewed the abstracts with the CME committee for the speaker proposals.

11. Volunteer teaching in the religious community about the importance of prediabetes and early recognition of obesity for prevention. 12. Educational Health Fair and engagement of Safeway and Albertson workers about Health equity and the importance of healthy eating. 13. Worked with Organization in London and conducted webinars about Childhood obesity prevention by Music. 14. Educational lectures to Primary care women Physicians about new weight loss drugs in California. 15. Advisory Board Novo Nordisk: Obesity Non -promotional Round table conference.

Karlijn Burridge

Shagun Bindlish

Outstanding contribution to Obesity Medicine in the community and other organizations. 1. Board Member of American Diabetes Association- Introduced Diabesity and started various projects in the community in collaboration with ADA to bring awareness about TREAT OBESITY FiRST and CONNECTING THE DOTS: Diabetes and Obesity 1. Faculty: Introduced Obesity Medicine in the Diabetes Fellowship Program and taught fellows, Pharmacists, residents, and medical students about Obesity medicine at Touro University. 2. Faculty at University AT sea: One of the major contributions of bringing Obesity medicine to National and International audiences during CME at cruise ( this program is considered unique as the obesity medicine focus was not present before). 3. DiaBeters non-profit organization in Africa- Contributed Webinars and educational articles about Diabetes and Obesity for patient education- connecting with an international audience. 4. Romanian Society of Lifestyle Medicine: Introduced Obesity management from the Obesity Medicine Association Perspective and presented the CPS Statement about Diabetes and Obesity in the Romanian conference. 5. In India - Collaborated with British Medical Journal and introduced obesity medicine to Indian health care providers and specialists and contributed to building modules and also did a round table to discuss the connection of diabetes and obesity. 6. Advocacy work for American College of Physicians: Two Years in a row advocated about challenges of Diabetes and Obesity and represented California state to the legislators regarding the bill to ease the process of making medications affordable and also ease the process of Prior authorization.

7. Started introduction of the role of continuous glucose monitors in Obesity medicine and was invited by the Washington Obesity Society to talk about CGM in Obesity management. 7. Within my organization: One Medical: Lead of chronic disease management program IMPACT helping health care providers navigate through Obesity management. 8. Paper publication about Lipodystrophy in the renowned journal.

Have been a very active member of OMA and contributed in various ways to the organization. 1. Serving as Associate editor for Obesity Pillars of Medicine Journal for the past 1 year and published two CPS statements with Dr. Bays. 2. Committees - Been a very engaging committee member since I joined and served in the Outreach committee, CME committee, and Speaker beaureu committee. Reviewed the CME educational content and course material, blogs, articles, and videos for the outreach committee. 3. Mentorship- has mentored up to 5 members during meetings and also offline and maintained continued relationships to help mentors in getting ABOM certification and starting obesity medicine practice 4. Teaching: Taught fundamentals course, participated in webinars, and also board review course. 5. Reviewed the abstracts with the CME committee for the speaker proposals and the frequent educational content for accuracy and as per current guidelines.

9. Volunteer teaching in the religious community about the importance of prediabetes and early recognition of obesity for prevention. 10. Educational Health Fair and engagement of Safeway and Albertson workers about Health equity and the importance of healthy eating. 11. Worked with Organization in London and conducted webinars about Childhood obesity prevention by Music.

12. Educational lectures to Primary care women Physicians about new weight loss drugs in California. 13. Advisory Borad Novo Nordisk : Obesity Round table conference that was non promotional.Â

Shagun Bindlish

Self

MD FACP DIPL ABOM

Dr Bindlish has been making efforts with the state capital of California, so that patient suffering with obesity can received adequate access and treatment. Dr. Bindlish regularly conducts webinars, has been a speaker at multiple conferences and does community education on diabetes and obesity

Dr. Bindlish has been an excellent mentor. She made sure to contact during every conference she even made a group for Mentees to offer her support. She has helped me guide how to navigate community outreach in my city.

Anila Chadha

Shagun Bindlish

MD`

Committee Leadership Award

Nominator

Nominee

Nominee's Credentials Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to OMA and the field of obesity medicine:

Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to the community or the nominee's affiliations within the community:

Has served on the OMA Advocacy Committee for the past several years. She has been a panelist on the Advocacy Committee's webinar Getting Anti-Obesity Medications Covered: A Primer In Patient Advocacy

She has been a staunch advocate for the coverage of AOMs in Pennsylvania. She volunteered as a consultant with the Pennsylvania DHHS Medicaid program and was instrumental in crafting language regarding the coverage of AOMs in Pennsylvania by this entity. This language includes standard FDA BMI criteria, but also makes provision for the treatment of those patients with normal weight, metabolic obesity. This is the only medical assistance program that recognizes that obesity is not solely BMI centric. As the result of this work, she was invited to and was subsequently appointed to the Pennsylvania DHHS P&T committee as well as the PA Drug Utilization Review Board. She continues to have input in regards to anti-obesity medications as supply has represented a challenge. She has been invited to speak at the American Association of Medicaid Pharmacists in Fargo ND in August 2024. (ii) Advocacy in the state of CT â€“ testified along with Chris Gallagher before the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus to garner their support for Senate Bill 977. The bid for support was successful. She joined a delegation petitioning the Governor of CT to sign the bill. This bill allowing access to AOMS for Medicaid in CT was passed. (iii) Advocacy in the state of NY for Medicaid coverage of AOMs â€“ she also has a practice in this state (iv) Chair of the PA Advocacy group â€“ currently working on getting AOM coverage for state employees in PA; will be speaking at an OAC organized legislative briefing at the Pennsylvania Capitol in March 2024 in this regard. (iv) Advocacy in education â€“ advocated for, and in partnership with primary care residencies at Guthrie, established a required rotation in Obesity Medicine for family medicine 3rd year residents; in addition to elective rotation opportunities for students and primary care residents (v) Advocated for and in partnership with FM residency established an Obesity Medicine tract where resident will have a longitudinal experience in Obesity Medicine over the 2nd and 3rd years. The tract also allows for conference and review course funding, and preparation of the resident to take ABOM certification by the completion of residency. This innovation was presented as a poster at the most recent Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. (vi) Ongoing education and obesity initiatives in primary care network of her organization She started the center for best health program at wellstar medical group in 2015, she designed multidisciplinary program, made all the physicians realize the importance of treating obesity as chronic disease, today we have 6 centers across metro Atlanta.

As Director of Obesity Medicine within the Guthrie Medical Group provided the local community with access to best clinical practices in obesity care Participated in community wide activities, webinars and health fairs to increase food intelligence and positive lifestyle changes to decrease community obesity burden Local media on nutrition and obesity Established and oversees a community garden which functions as a outdoor classroom for community members, a modality to involve schools in nutrition and gardening as well as environmental science; teaching nutrition to the community and donating food to local pantries, school back pack programs and food insecure patients

Hosts annual festival showcasing the areaâ€™s farmers and vendors of wellness services Mobilized community to participate in activities to increase physical activities at all ages. Works with schools in regards to nutrition curriculum and oversees program which provides clinical sports nutrition to local school athletes Extra curricular lectures on obesity to pre-clinical interest groups at the Geisinger School of Medicine Facilitates community support groups â€“ diabetes and obesity

Vivienne Rose MD

Verlyn Warrington MD MD

She helped several primary care physicians help understand the importance of treating cause of various chronic diseases. Due to her hard work and dedication thousands of patients got benefited. She definetly made a huge impact in the community .

Nandini sunkireddy

Mitzy Rubin

Dr. Weber's title across the state of WI is as follows: **Bariatric Medical Director--Ascension Wisconsin

**Obesity Medicine Director--Ascension Columbia St Mary's Bariatric Center **Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics--Medical College of Wisconsin

MD, FAAP, FACP, CSCS, FOMA, DABOM

Dr. Weber has been involved (& continues to be) intimately involved in the Bariatric Medical-Surgical (BMS) Committee since its inception, having chaired the committee for the past two years (1/2022-12/2023). He is a subject matter expert in combined BMS programs, & he offers deep insights to his colleagues on the BMS Committee.

He is highly regarded both inside & beyond the OMA having served as a faculty presenter & moderator for OMA Conferences, & he is active in his community as well. Dr. Weber is a kind, collaborative, & supportive leader & he embodies a spirit of collegiality & professionalism for all whom work with him.

Teresa Fraker

Christopher Weber

Dr. Andrick helped "train up" committee members to be effective advocates on the local and national level providing sample resources to comitte members and patience when bringing new members up to speed.

Rebecca M. Andrick

Provided exceptional leadership as Chair of the Adovacy Committee pushing for better recognition and treatment of obesity as a disease on the individual state level and national level.

Anthony Auriemma

Dr. William H. McCarthy Clinician of the Year

Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to the community or the nominee's affiliations within the community:

Nominator

Nominee

Nominee's Credentials Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to OMA and the field of obesity medicine:

Dr. Rita Kathawa is an Obesity Medicine specialist. She is a dual board certified physician in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. As a bariatrician, she is an expert in the diagnosis, treatment and overall medical management of obesity and weight related comorbidities. She utilizes FDA approved medications along with lifestyle modifications and surgical referral when appropriate. Additionally, she works closely with bariatric surgeons to help augment surgical weight loss results and avoid/treat weight regain in the setting of bariatric surgery. Dr. Rita Kathawa completed her undergraduate and graduate training in Nutritional Sciences at Wayne State University. She earned her MD degree at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and completed residency at Ascension Health. She then pursued additional post graduate training in the field of Obesity Medicine through Harvard Medical School. She is an active public speaker on various radio shows and podcasts on Obesity Medicine for her highly regarded expert opinion. She is a researcher for clinical trial studying MC4R pathway via Rhythm Pharmaceuticals. Her collaboration with healthcare providers in the Detroit Metropolitan Area help to contribute in bridging the healthcare gap and the care needed for patients her community.

Dr. Rita Kathawa is successful mentor to students and a wonderful employer. She cultivates a learning environment in her practice that is unmatched. She volunteers her time with a focus on education to various organizations within her community. She is also an active member of the Chaldean American Association for Health Professionals and is a trusted healthcare leader within. She has built a reputation in the Detroit Metropolitan Area as a go-to provider for Weight Loss Management guidance and consistently leads innovation in Obesity Medicine.

Rana Papale

Rita Kathawa MD

Has served on the OMA Advocacy Committee for the past several years. She has been a panelist on the Advocacy Committeeâ€™s webinar Getting Anti-Obesity Medications Covered: A Primer In Patient Advocacy

vivienne rose

Verlyn Warrington MD MD

Dr. Kathawa has filled a great need within our community in providing obesity medicine services to patients who have been struggling to find solutions. She has collaborated with other physicians from many other specialties (cardiology, dermatology, neurology, OBGYN, gastroenterology, family medicine and internal medicine) to provide care to patients across all ages, genders, ethnicities and socio-economic statuses. She is involved in a podcast to educate patients on various treatment options for obesity. Dr. Kathawa is highly respected and regarded within the community as evident by her Google reviews. OMA would be privileged to have Dr. Kathawa as their clinician of the year as she has been an ambassador in this field within our community. Single-handedly developed protocols , clinical guidance and developed the medical treatment division of our local Metabolic and weight management setting. Dr. Bonnecaze coordinated the opening and development of the center with the surgical group and local health system to create a multidisciplinary approach to treating Obesity

Dr. Kathawa has been a pioneer of obesity medicine treatment in the Metro Detroit area. She is evidence based and participates in clinical trials one of which is via Rhythm Pharmaceuticals to study clinical implications of MC4R pathway. She has also started a non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) clinic and collaborates with gastroenterologists in the area. Additionally, she was a guest speaker for Grand Rounds at our hospital system-Ascension Health Warren, MI site.

Jolian Kathawa

Rita Kathawa

MD, MA

MD, board certified in Endocrine and ABOM Excellent clinician and champion for Obesity patients. Medical director for our local Metabolic and Weight loss center

Julie Baugher

Dr Alex Bonnecaze

Muhammad Haitham AlmidaniMD MBA Dr.SC William H Mc Carthy

great clinical Physician

Worked with OMA for good time

Dr. Kerry Traugott went to Washington State University (Go Cougs!) for her undergraduate degree in General Biology and worked in Intensive Care prior to attending Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, KY for her Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Dr. Traugott completed a fellowship in urgent care at MultiCare Health Systems in Tacoma, WA. She then went on to work at Yale Health Systems in Connecticut for a short period of time before settling into a family practice at Harrison Health Partners in Bremerton, WA. At this time she became more interested in obesity medicine and developed her unique patient curriculum. Dr. Traugott and her partner moved to Spokane a couple of years later to be closer to family. She has a certificate of advanced education from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Obesity Medicine Association in medical weight management. She is board certified in Family Practice from the American Nurse Credentialing Center.

Member of: HIMSS, OMA, Obesity Society, AANP, ARNPs United WA State, GLMA Dr Traugott works with local like-minded clinicians to provide true wrap around care and holistic care for her patients. These include body work, pelvic floor, mental therapies, physical therapy, fitness, OBGYN and other support staff. She is a fierce advocate for her patients, honoring their stories and intuition, building bridges of care back where others have failed patients before. She meets her patients where they need to be, whether it's in person, hybrid or remote care and monitoring and creates community amongst patients with cooking classes and events. The accountability, teaching and positive habit forming behaviors make the difference in longer success and results.

Tiffany Mackie

Dr Kerry Traugott

DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Dr. Vernon B. Astler Award

Nominator

Nominee

Nominee's Credentials Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to OMA and the field of obesity medicine:

Explain any significant contributions by the nominee to the community or the nominee's affiliations within the community:

The President of the OMA typically is on call to respond to press requests and support the OMA with outreach. In her term, however, interest from the media increased significantly. We used to have a media request every week or two. In 2023, we typically are fielding 2-3 requests per week. Dr. Fitch is not the only one to handle these requests, but she was often our first call. Thanks to her timely responses and diligence in responding to media requests, we have seen repeat requests from multiple outlets throughout the year. Her support in elevating the work of the OMA through the media has help built a momentum we hope to continue. Emily is in her 2nd year of membership on the OMA Advocacy Committee, & has been a stalwart for AOM access for the patients she serves in NC. In particular, she worked closely with the Advocacy Committee through Chris Gallagher & the OAC to draft a letter in addition to providing testimony in the fall of 2023 to assist with the NC State Health Plan (NCSHP) in being a leader for the patients she & other NC clinicians serve with the disease of obesity.

If the nominating committee is interested in presenting Dr. Fitch with this award, the marketing team would be happy to dig into the data of the number of articles in which Dr. Fitch was our spokesperson and provide examples of publications/instances from 2023 to support the nomination. Emily is sought after in her home state to speak on both clinical as well as advocacy-related issues, & she was instrumental in her work for advocacy-related work as published in this article: https://www-wral com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.wral.com/amp/21234068/

Katy Rudzinski

Angela Fitch

MD, FOMA, DABOM

Teresa Fraker

Emily Weaver

BSN, RN, AGPCNP

Thank you for your leadership on the Advocacy Committe as well as the service & expertise you provide to your patients as well!

Page 2 Page 3 Page 4-5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9

Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online