The committee enrollment period continues through Oct. 15 for the 2015-2016 committee term. Committees are a great way to get more involved, collaborate on projects that further the association's initiatives, and take the first step toward holding a leadership position. Both new and returning committee members must complete an application to participate on a committee during the coming year. Submit your completed application to membership@obesitymedicine.org before Oct. 15 to be considered; we will notify accepted candidates by Oct. 30.

Canadian Medical Association recognizes obesity as a disease

Today the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) announced its decision to formally recognize obesity as a chronic disease. In a statement, CMA president Dr. Cindy Forbes said, "It is important for health care providers to recognize obesity as a disease so preventive measures can be put in place and patients can receive the appropriate treatment." With this announcement, we can continue to strengthen our partnership with the Canadian Obesity Network and work together to ensure that health care providers in North America know how to prevent, treat, and reverse the disease of obesity. 

At the annual awards ceremony that took place at Overcoming Obesity 2015, Dr. Ethan Lazarus was awarded the Obesity Medicine Clinician of the Year. This award is one of OMA's most prestigious honors, and it was highly deserved by Dr. Lazarus. Here, he shares his story about getting involved in obesity medicine and thanks those who've helped along the way.

Dear OMA,
     I was incredibly surprised and honored at the OMA awards ceremony on Oct. 3 in Washington, D.C., to be the recipient of the OMA Clinician of the Year Award.
     Words cannot express my appreciation for this recognition. Nevertheless, I'd like to try.
     I first joined OMA in 2004 to learn how to treat patients affected by weight medically. Today, my center treats 1,000 patients per month to help them to live longer, healthier lives, free to do the things they want to do. None of this would be possible without the OMA.
     While I originally joined to learn how to practice obesity medicine, these days my goals are different. First, now that obesity is recognized as a disease, it's time we treat it like one. I'd like to see all health care providers receive basic training regarding obesity and be able to provide accurate information to their patients affected by weight. I'd like to see obesity receiving the same type of compassionate care as other medical problems like diabetes and depression. And I'd like to work towards reducing weight bias.
     Second, I'd like to see improved physician satisfaction. Our ever changing and growing health care system leaves many physicians feeling lost and unsatisfied with their profession. I felt this way before I joined the OMA. Now, I love my work. Learning to manage obesity with patients has enhanced my life as a physician and resulted in a very high level of job satisfaction for me. I hope to share this with others because the practice of medicine should be a joy.
     I gladly serve OMA because it works towards both of these objectives.
     There are several people I need to thank in recognition of this award.
     First, I'd like to thank the OMA board of trustees and executive committee. Had they not asked me to represent OMA at the American Medical Association (AMA), I would not have been able to influence the AMA on the important resolutions they have passed regarding obesity as a disease, coverage of obesity care services, and obesity education. Further, I want to thank Dr. Carolynn Francavilla for her work as the AMA alternate delegate, and my father, Dr. Jeremy Lazarus, for his guidance on how to get things done at the AMA.
     Second, I'd like to thank the OMA staff. Their endless support makes it possible for me to be as involved as I am without it becoming overwhelming. You do a fabulous job!
     Third, I'd like to thank the OMA membership. Thank you for letting me serve you first on the board of trustees and now as your secretary/treasurer. You have placed your trust in me; now let me serve you by continuing to advance the objectives of patient care and physician satisfaction. Without your support, I would not be in a position to make a difference on all these matters.
     And finally, I need to thank my family. My beautiful wife Aimee for putting up with my grueling travel schedule. My older kids, Zoey (8) and Zachary (6), for still loving me even though I've missed this entire soccer season. And my baby, Sean (1), for not completely destroying the house during my trips. Without your support, daddy couldn't be doing all these things!
     I will proudly display this award in a prominent spot in my new clinic.
     Thank you! 

Last week at Overcoming Obesity 2015, we sent 11 attendees out to Capitol Hill for a day to meet with legislative staff and garner support for the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, which would provide coverage of anti-obesity medications and allow reimbursement for non-primary care clinicians treating patients for obesity under Medicare. The 11 participants met with 18 different Senate offices to encourage more senators to co-sponsor the bill. The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act currently has 103 co-sponsors in the House and 10 co-sponsors in the Senate.

The Obesity Treatment Foundation thanks all who supported us during the cocktail party and silent auction fundraiser at Overcoming Obesity 2015 last week. The fundraising event raised more than $16,000, which helps us support our mission to advance obesity treatment through clinical research and education. During the event, we also announced the winner of the poster contest; Dr. Suzanne Cuda took the prize for her poster, titled "Do Decreases in Visceral Adipose Tissue Correlate with Physiologic or Metabolic Improvements in Children with Severe Obesity?" Start preparing your abstract for next year -- abstract submission opens June 1!