Workshops

This session does not confer CME credit.

This workshop offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of the pervasive impact of weight stigma while gaining practical strategies to reduce bias in professional and public settings. Participants will explore the current global landscape of weight stigma, including new research on the risks of generative AI in perpetuating harmful stereotypes, providing timely insights into an emerging challenge. What sets this session apart is its emphasis on translating knowledge into action: attendees will leave equipped with evidence-based approaches to foster respectful, inclusive communication and contribute to systemic change. In addition, the program will connect participants to a new international community dedicated to ending weight stigma, extending the impact of this session far beyond the conference and empowering professionals to drive lasting progress toward equity and inclusion.

This session is a joint collaboration between The Obesity Society (TOS) and the European Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ECPO) www.eurobesity.org.

Behind every career in obesity research lies a personal story of resilience. In this powerful and inspiring symposium, leading voices from industry, clinical practice, academia and government share their formative experiences that shaped their paths—and how these personal challenges inform the way they lead, mentor and innovate today.  Panelists will reflect on navigating setbacks, burnout, identity, and growth in the context of their professional lives, offering candid insights on how vulnerability, perseverance, and purpose intersect in the field of obesity.  This session aims to foster connection across career stages and sectors, encouraging open dialogue about the human side of scientific success. Join us for a rare opportunity to hear from accomplished leaders as they share not just what they do- but WHY they keep going.  Each speaker will also be available at round table discussions after the panel has finished.  Attendees will be able to sit with and ask pertinent questions as they face unprecedented times in the fields of obesity healthcare.

John Batsis is an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Division of Geriatric Medicine and the Department of Nutrition. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Obesity Medicine. Dr. Batsis earned his undergraduate degree from McGill University and his Medical Degree from Trinity College, Dublin, in 2002. He completed residency and fellowship training at Mayo Clinic. His research examines the links between obesity, sarcopenia, and functional impairment in older adults, with over 200 publications. Funded by the National Institute of Health, he focuses on improving wellness for older adults using remote monitoring technologies and mobile health solutions. Dr. Batsis is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, the American Geriatrics Society, and The Obesity Society. He serves on editorial boards for the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and the Journal of Gerontological Medical Sciences, and is chair-elect of the Clinical Research Section at The Obesity Society.

Jaime Almandoz, MD, MBA, is Medical Director of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Weight Wellness Program and is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Almandoz is board-certified in Obesity Medicine, Endocrinology, and Internal Medicine. He graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Almandoz completed an Internal Medicine Residency and Endocrinology Fellowship training at the Mayo Clinic and a fellowship in Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases at UT Southwestern.

Dr. Shoemaker earned her medical degree at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. She completed a residency in Preventive Medicine at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center and a fellowship in Obesity Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Shoemaker’s interests center around population health with an emphasis on prevention, nutrition, and weight loss initiatives, and she has delivered multiple presentations on these and related topics.

Dr. Robyn Pashby is a clinical health psychologist and founder of Health Psychology Partners, a group health psychology practice in Washington, DC. She serves on key committees and boards dedicated to advancing patient-centered care at the intersection of psychology, disordered eating, obesity, and related chronic disease. She also holds a faculty appointment as a Research Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine.

Liz Paul, 45, is a wife, mom of two, non-profit professional, and obesity advocate from Mankato, MN. She has lived with obesity her whole life, and for much of her life, she believed what those closest to her told her – that her weight was her fault and her problem to fix. It wasn’t until later that she learned about the reality of obesity as a disease and the impact that weight bias and stigma have on people seeking care and support. Liz now uses her own first-person experiences to advocate against weight bias and stigma and for access to obesity treatments for all people. Liz is a Board member of the Obesity Action Coalition and serves on the membership and mental health committees. When she isn’t advocating for people living with obesity, she is active in Cub Scouts, choir, church, and supporting her children’s many activities!

TOS Clinical Practice Committee invites you to an immersive, interactive workshop designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and strategies needed to manage unique clinical dilemmas in obesity treatment. This interdisciplinary session brings together experts from various fields, including nutrition, endocrinology, psychology, and obesity medicine, to provide a holistic approach to treatment. Gain insights into the latest research, best practices, and collaborative techniques that will enhance your ability to deliver effective, patient-centered care. Whether you’re a clinician, dietitian, or therapist, this workshop will empower you with the tools to address complex cases and improve patient outcomes. Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your expertise and transform lives through integrated care!

Dr. Ariana M. Chao, PhD, CRNP, FNP-BC, RN, is an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing with a joint appointment in the School of Medicine. She serves as the Director of Research at the Healthful Eating, Activity and Weight Program at Johns Hopkins, where she also practices clinically as an obesity medicine nurse practitioner. She is internationally recognized for her leadership in obesity treatment. Her program of research is focused on the development of innovative treatments for obesity and related eating behaviors that improve physical and mental health.

Dr. Purnell is a Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, OR, USA, with board-certification in both Endocrinology and Obesity Medicine. His research interests include understanding the causes and consequences of obesity, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes in humans.

Dr. Dimpi Desai is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, specializing in diabetes and obesity management. She underwent fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania, spent a few years as faculty at Baylor College of Medicine, and currently serves as faculty at Stanford University. Her clinical practice and research endeavors are dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of diabetes and obesity.

Dr. Angela Ritten has been a Family Nurse Practitioner since 1996. She received her DNP from the University of Central Florida in 2013 and the Duke/Johnson & Johnson Nursing Leadership Fellowship in 2020. During her tenure as faculty with the University of Central Florida, she designed and tested weight management interventions for adoption in primary care practices. Currently, she is the chief clinical officer at Inshore Health LLC, a primary care practice for persons with Obesity. Publications related to obesity include: Fit Living in Progress – Fighting Lifelong Obesity Patterns (FLIP-FLOP) and Unmet needs in obesity management: From guidelines to clinic.

Dr. Thomas George is a family nurse practitioner delivering evidence-based, personalized care for people with obesity. His doctoral work focused on translating obesity research into effective clinical practices for primary care. He is a Fellow of the Obesity Medicine Association, Clinic Director at Wellspring Weight and Wellness, adjunct professor of pathophysiology at Northwest Nazarene University in Boise, and former assistant professor at Frontier Nursing University. endeavors are dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of diabetes and obesity.