The Obesity Medicine Fellowship program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine attracts bright and highly motivated individuals who desire a career dedicated to the practice of obesity medicine. Our trainees gain the knowledge and expertise required for successful careers in either academic or private practice settings.

The Obesity Medicine Fellowship accepts one fellow each academic year, with the goals of developing strong clinical competency, acquiring research experience, and preparing to sit for the American Board of Obesity Medicine certification exam. 

The one year fellowship encompasses all areas of obesity medicine including: 

  • Medical therapies for obesity treatment across the lifespan
  • Dietary interventions for obesity treatment
  • Pharmacotherapy for obesity treatment
  • Behavioral aspects of obesity treatment
  • Role of exercise in obesity treatment
  • Management of long term weight loss maintenance
  • Management of obesity related comorbidities
  • Surgical treatment of obesity
  • Management of nutritional deficiencies following bariatric surgery
  • Pediatric obesity medicine

The fellow’s schedule is divided evenly between clinical care (50%) and research (50%). Research time may also include education and administrative duties. Clinical training involves exposure to a diverse group of patients with varying stages of obesity and the full spectrum of obesity related comorbidities. Fellows see patients in outpatient consultations and outpatient continuing care at our various Weight Management Center sites. 

Why Train at Wake Forest?

The Weight Management Center at Wake Forest delivers exceptional obesity treatment using a highly comprehensive approach. Fellows merge onto our team that includes medical providers, surgical providers, dietitians, exercise specialists, psychologists and behaviorists. Our fellow  benefits tremendously from working closely with all team members, each of whom brings extensive knowledge and experience while demonstrating a strong passion for this unique and dynamic field of medicine. Furthermore, our program allows fellows to incorporate innovative technology, including telehealth, when treating patients with obesity. 

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is well-known for its research in diabetes, lipid metabolism, women's health and minority health care, with investigation spanning the spectrum from genetic and biochemical to epidemiological and public health. 

Wake Forest University School of Medicine ranks in the top third nationally for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding and combines academic excellence with a warm, supportive environment for learning and for living. 

Program Goals

Our fellowship program in Obesity Medicine is innovative, personable, and strongly oriented to patient care. Our highest value is excellence in patient care, and education is always the first priority.
Specific areas of faculty interest and research include:

  • Anti-obesity pharmacotherapy
  • Population health
  • Health services research
  • Health disparities
  • Telehealth 
  • Insulin resistance and prediabetes
  • Weight regain following bariatric surgery
  • Medical education

Conferences

  • Nutrition rounds (monthly)
  • Journal Club (quarterly)
  • Medical team meetings (monthly)
  • The Obesity Society meeting (annually) 
  • The Blackburn Course in Obesity Medicine (annually)