The Nutrition and Weight Management Program at Boston Medical Center is an integral part of the Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and Weight Management. The Center offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services for nutritional disorders and weight management for adults age 18 and older. .cta2{background-color:#f4efd9;} @media (max-width:768px) { .ctaThumb{padding:15px;} .cta2{background-color:#fff;} } Obesity is a chronic and complex disease with multiple therapeutic options. The Medical Weight Management Team supports all people seeking comprehensive care for obesity. We include a team of obesity medicine physicians, bariatric surgeons, endocrinologist, nurse practitioners, clinical social worker, and registered dieticians who specialize in a comprehensive, knowledgeable, empathetic, and personalized approach to each patient. Our commitment is to long term meaningful weight loss success .We incorporate the spectrum of interventions including lifestyle interventions, medically supervised weight loss plans with pharmacotherapy and weight loss surgery. Our commitment is each individual and their needs; providing care without exception. [Learn more about who we are and what we do](/transforming-lives-your-guide-boston-medical-center-obesity-medicine-clinic) ### Nutrition and Weight Management - [Contact Us](#contact-us) - [Programs and Services](#programs-and-services) - [Our Team](#our-team) - [Patient Resources](#patient-resources) - [Provider Resources](#provider-resources) - [Free Virtual Patient Orientation Session](#free-virtual-patient-orientation-session) - [Research Overview](#research-overview) - [Education and Training](#education-and-training) ## Contact Us [617.638.7470](tel:617.638.7470) Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Fax: 617.638.7449 ## Programs and Services [### Medical Nutrition Therapy A national leader in the field, the BMC Nutrition and Weight Management staff is dedicated to promoting healthy weight through medical nutrition therapy (MNT). MNT manages a variety of diseases by combining nutrition diagnostic, therapy, and counseling services. It goes beyond basic nutrition education. This holistic care model helps patients reach their goals through customized eating plans, behavioral support, and exercise. ](/nutrition-and-weight-management/medical-nutrition-therapy) [### Medical Weight Management The BMC Medical Weight Management team provides a multidisciplinary approach to managing obesity with evidence-based compassionate care. Using a shared decision-making approach with the patient, we provide a personalized plan for weight loss and improvements in metabolic health such as hypertension, diabetes, and increased cholesterol. ](/nutrition-and-weight-management/weight-management) [### Weight Loss (Bariatric) Surgery Comprehensive bariatric and weight management surgery, including gastric bypass and sleeve procedures, to support lasting weight loss and improved health. ](/departments/weight-loss-bariatric-surgery) [### Malnutrition and Nutrition Support At Boston Medical Center we have a group of highly trained clinicians, including Physicians, Dietitians, and Nurse Practitioners, who evaluate patients with feeding difficulties and gastrointestinal conditions that affect the ability to consume or absorb nutrients. ](/malnutrition-and-nutrition-support) ## Our Team ### Providers ### [Asem H. Ali, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/asem-h-ali-md) Endocrinologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/8af97b75-7c93-481e-9b72-a6e1c27e77ad/Asem-Ali_840_2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Ivania M. Rizo, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/ivania-m-rizo-md) Endocrinologist; Director of Obesity Medicine ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/a7e4fac7-3328-4c4a-82c2-0a62e14f443e/Ivania-Rizo?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Samar Y. Hafida, MBCCh](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/samar-y-hafida-mbcch) Endocrinologist and Weight Management Specialist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/1a5554a6-8883-4038-b131-686cacae1501/Samar-Hafida?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Eric Nolen-Doerr, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/eric-nolen-doerr-md) Endocrinologist and Weight Management Specialist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/2b8fc025-1132-458f-a402-bd26eb9ecd13/Eric-Nolen-Doerr-2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Kavita Sharma, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/kavita-sharma-md) Weight Management and Nutrition Specialist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/737f67e1-823b-4dba-b25e-a9a8eb9abfe9/Kavita-Sharma-MD-Endocrine?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Joelle Sulistio, MSN-FNP](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/joelle-sulistio-msn-fnp) Nurse Practitioner ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/15198397-4d2c-4e80-b24d-d2ddc9841a81/Joelle-Sulistio-2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Denise H. Wong, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/denise-h-wong-md) Endocrinologist and Weight Management Specialist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/4a8c0b03-4f0c-4598-bbc7-084187e57698/Denise-Wong_449_2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) Catherine Lobo Galo, NP Kristen Spain, NP Tina Yiu, NP ### Registered Dietitians Joanne Keaveney Jessica Peters Sarah Veber ### Research Support Staff Astrid Atakov Castillo Robert Seitter Asya Sullivan ## Patient Resources To be seen by a member of our team you will need a referral from your primary care physician (PCP) with a medical diagnosis. If your PCP is located on the BMC campus or at an associated community health center using Epic, referrals to the Nutrition and Weight Management Center can be placed through Epic. Otherwise, referrals can be faxed to the BMC Referral Center at (617) 638-6756. Our office will contact you upon receipt of the referral. Your health insurance may cover or partially cover medical nutrition therapy; however, some insurance plans do not cover visits with a dietitian or will only cover visits for patients with a specific diagnosis. Please contact your insurance company to learn details about your specific coverage. Please do not hesitate to contact our clinic at (617) 638-7470 for assistance with the referral process. [### Nutrition and Weight Management Patient Information Important referral and insurance information for new patients of the Nutrition and Weight Management program. ](/nutrition-and-weight-management/patient-information) ## Provider Resources [### Referring a Patient to the Nutrition and Weight Management Program New patient referral and intake information for referring providers, both within and outside of BMC. ](/nutrition-and-weight-management/refer-patient) ## Free Virtual Patient Orientation Session For most weight management patients, the first appointment will be a virtual group class taught by one of the Registered Dietitians. The class will introduce eating strategies to help you make sustainable lifestyle changes. Following the virtual class, patients will meet with an obesity medicine specialist and dietitian individually to assess immediate and long-term nutrition needs and create an individualized plan. This plan will take into account any potential medical issues, as well as personal lifestyle choices. Subsequent appointments will be scheduled as needed to assess progress, provide support and additional counseling, or to modify the plan. ## Research Overview Our weight management and nutrition team is actively engaged in research including obesity and fatty liver disease and therapies for short bowel syndrome. We provide many opportunities for patients to participate in clinical trials. ## Education and Training Our Nutrition and Metabolic Disease fellowship is a one year training program focusing on obesity medicine and clinical nutrition support. The training applies evidence-based medicine while supporting continuity and access to care for a diverse population. Fellows will have training in the multifaceted management of obesity including lifestyle based therapy, pharmacotherapy, and pre- and post-operative assessment and management of adult patients accessing bariatric surgery treatment. Additionally, they will gain experience in nutrition support care that includes inpatient and outpatient management of malnutrition, enteral nutrition, and total parenteral nutrition (TPN). We invite you to [learn more about our program](https://www.bumc.bu.edu/endo/educational-activities/obesity-medicine-fellowship/).