Being a primary care provider is one of the best ways to help patients manage their medical conditions and improve their health, and I love it. I am also committed to helping patients manage their weight because so many medical conditions are directly related to excess weight.
I study weight loss interventions for minority and low-income populations. My goal is to study, develop, and disseminate weight loss interventions that are effective, affordable, and accessible to the general population. Most of my research involves the Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a low-cost, national, nonprofit weight loss program. My research has shown that people who participate in the TOPS program for at least one year can lose up 5-7% of their initial weight and maintain the weight loss for up to seven years. This is good news because most people who lose weight tend to gain it back.
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below. Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.
This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.