Inaugurated in 2020, the Colorado Obesity Medicine Training Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus stands as a testament to groundbreaking innovation in medical education. This visionary program, initiated by Dr. Dan Bessesen, marks a pivotal moment in the start of obesity medicine as a distinctive specialty.
The establishment of the Obesity Medicine Fellowship Council (OMFC) in 2018 marked the beginning of a new era for obesity medicine. Since starting, their mission has remained unwavering: advancing access to gold-standard obesity care through the training of well-qualified physicians specializing in obesity medicine. The OMFC actively supports Obesity Medicine fellowship programs across the country, offering assistance in various capacities. Learning about the new council and the support they were offering, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus applied for grant funding from the OMFC to develop an obesity medicine fellowship program. After being accepted in 2020, The Obesity Medicine Fellowship program at CU Anschutz was born.
Operating within the walls of the CU Anschutz Health & Wellness Center (AHWC), the program encompasses a comprehensive curriculum. The AHWC serves as a focal point, offering a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to treating adult patients with obesity. Fellows also benefit from exposure to specialty clinics associated with Children’s Hospital Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, and the Surgical Weight Loss Center at University Hospital, giving fellows the opportunity to work and train in different ranges of clinical environments.
"We are crafting a new specialty of medicine that is going to have a huge impact on the whole country. It's remarkable to be a part of. Obesity medicine will keep on evolving drastically... we are proud to be involved in building the foundation." — Dr. Dan Bessesen, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes
The fellowship provides training in diverse aspects of weight management, including lifestyle-based therapy, pharmacotherapy, and endoscopic treatments. The program curriculum also extends to cover pre- and post-operative assessment and management for both adult and pediatric patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Fellows gain broad exposure to assessing and treating various health conditions related to obesity, while also developing skills in interviewing, counseling, and promoting behavior change in patients with obesity.
Functioning as a highly regarded training program, the fellowship is supervised by nationally acclaimed experts in obesity research and the clinical management of patients with obesity. Operating each year from July 1 to June 30, the program begins interviewing applicants in September and chooses their fellows by December. Currently in its fourth year, the program accepted Dr. Victoria Lu as their fellow for the 2023/2024 year, who will be passing the torch down to Dr. Gil Hebert, the upcoming fifth fellow.
Dr. Gil Hebert |
Hebert, who is set to start the fellowship this July, says following a career in obesity medicine is his dream. Having a selection of dozens of programs to choose from in the country, Hebert expresses why he chose the fellowship here in Colorado. He shares, “Choosing CU Anschutz for my fellowship training was an easy decision…This is one of the more established programs in the country and I had one of those gut feelings that this is where I should train.”
Acknowledging the imperative need to prepare upcoming medical professionals with proficiency in treating obesity, the Colorado Obesity Medicine Training Program seamlessly combines theoretical instruction with hands-on patient interactions. In a field saturated with various new weight loss medications, the program plays a crucial role in nurturing the development of obesity medicine as a distinct specialization in healthcare. The demand for adept physicians in this area is evident, particularly as patients actively pursue viable solutions for managing obesity.
Dr. Dan Bessesen, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Director of the AHWC, and Program Director for the fellowship, prides the fellowship on its personalized approach. Unlike most fellowships, the Colorado Obesity Medicine Training Program distinguishes itself through its customization. Dr. Bessesen states, "We customize our program for our fellows, tailoring the training to their specific interests within the discipline of obesity medicine." The fellowship provides its fellows with numerous electives, from sleep medicine to behavioral health, allowing fellows to train in an area they express most interest in.
Kristy Truesdale, the Fellowship Coordinator, also emphasizes the uniqueness of the CU Anschutz program in its individualized structure. Setting itself apart from the other fellowships, this program offers fellows the opportunity to train in various clinics and settings. Truesdale notes, “Giving fellows the opportunity to work in numerous different environments helps shape their learning and provides them with hints of what type of setting they would like to work in once they finish the fellowship."
When asked about the program's goals, Dr. Bessesen envisions a revolutionary future, stating, "We are crafting a new specialty of medicine that is going to have a huge impact on the whole country. It's remarkable to be a part of. Obesity medicine will keep on evolving drastically... we are proud to be involved in building the foundation."
The Colorado Obesity Medicine Training Program at CU Anschutz represents not just a training initiative but a pioneering effort in shaping the trajectory of obesity medicine. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, it stands at the forefront of advancing medical practices to address the complexities of obesity in the evolving world of healthcare.
For more information on the fellowship, please visit the website or email Kristy Truesdale for further assistance.