Harvard The Blackburn Course in Obesity Medicine 2026

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• Target Audience: internists, bariatric surgeons, pediatricians, dietitians, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and pharmacists
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1. Overview

Education to Optimize Your Care of Adult, Adolescent, and Pediatric Patients with Obesity

Treating Obesity 2026: The Blackburn Course in Obesity Medicine is an online course, using live streaming, electronic Q&A, and other remote learning technologies.

This course delivers practical strategies to optimize the management of obesity and its many complications, and provides the most up-to-date approaches to obesity prevention and treatment.

Highlights of the 2026 program include:

Update on using the newer GLP-1 based therapies

Comprehensive evaluation of the patient with obesity

Precision medicine and dietary approaches to obesity and metabolic disorders

Medical, endoscopic, and surgical options for the treatment of obesity

Effective counseling and motivation techniques

Medical and surgical treatment of children and adolescents with obesity

Emerging strategies and therapies for genetic obesity

A guide to virtual care, group visits, private and academic practice models

Enhancing communication about obesity with patients, referring providers, payers, and the public

Addressing obesity bias, stigma, and disparities in care

Presented by experts in medicine, surgery, pediatrics, nutrition, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and psychology from the country’s leading obesity treatment centers, this course covers critical topics in the prevention and treatment of obesity and related disorders. It gives clinicians the knowledge to:

Identify, evaluate and manage patients with high-risk obesity

Provide lifestyle-based therapies for obesity, including nutritional, physical activity, and behavioral approaches

Apply effective counseling and behavioral modification techniques

Apply current pharmacological approaches to the treatment of obesity

Assess patients for their need and appropriateness for bariatric surgery and determine surgical options

Pathophysiology of obesity

Obesity comorbidities

Pediatric patient management

Genetic and syndromic obesity

Nutrition and exercise assessment and intervention

Intensive lifestyle and behavioral therapy

Anti-obesity pharmacotherapy

Bariatric surgery

360-Degree Education

Patient Care. Reimbursements. Challenging Cases.

Treating Obesity 2026 provides education about obesity, its causes and consequences, and the most effective tools and strategies for its prevention and treatment. Unique to this program is a 360-degree educational experience, where attendees:

Hear from authorities in medicine, pediatrics, nutrition, surgery, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and mental health about strategies to optimize care for your patients with obesity

Learn how to build and maintain a successful Obesity Medicine practice in varied clinical settings, including primary care, multidisciplinary obesity care center, and Obesity Medicine specialty private practice

Understand the adverse effect of obesity on the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases related to obesity

Become more effective at strategic communication with payers, employers, and other policymakers about the benefits and value of targeted obesity treatment

Get feedback and guidance on your own challenging cases from experienced Obesity Medicine clinicians

Interact directly with faculty during panel discussions and interactive question and answer sessions

2. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, participants will gain the knowledge to:

Identify, evaluate, and manage patients with high-risk obesity.

Provide lifestyle-based therapies for obesity, including nutritional, physical activity, and behavioral approaches.

Apply effective counseling and behavioral modification techniques.

Apply current pharmacological approaches to the treatment of obesity.

Assess patients for their need and appropriateness for bariatric surgery and determine surgical options.

3. Target Audience Who Should Participate:

Physicians

Nurse Practitioners

Physician Assistants

Pharmacists

Dietitians …and other health professionals who want to learn the latest approaches to the prevention and treatment of obesity and its complications.

Best for internists, bariatric surgeons, pediatricians, dietitians, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and pharmacists.

4. Topics

Sunday, June 7, 2026

This one-day program helps prepare registrants for the ABOM certification exam.

All times listed in Eastern Time.  Live Streaming

Welcome and Introduction Drs. Amandeep Singh and Angela Fitch

Approach to the Patient with Obesity Dr. Chika Anekwe

Nutritional Assessment and Therapy Dr. Gregory Curtis

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Exercise Dr. Jennifer Mulligan

Panel Discussion / Q&A Drs. Anekwe, Curtis, Mulligan, and Fitch

Break

Practicing Obesity Medicine with Professionalism Dr. Amanda Powell

Pediatrics 1: Patient Assessment Dr. Vibha Singhal

Pediatrics 2: Patient Management Dr. Jennifer Rosenblum

Lightning Round 1 Dr. Wesley Dutton

Panel Discussion / Q&A Drs. Powell, Singhal, Rosenblum, Dutton, and Fitch

Break

Pharmacotherapy Dr. Mehmet Burak

Bariatric Endoscopy Dr. Amandeep Singh

Bariatric Surgery Dr. Karan Chhabra

Panel Discussion / Q&A Drs. Burak, Singh, Chhabra, and Fitch

Break

Behavioral Assessment and Therapy Dr. Mark Gorman

Genetic and Syndromic Obesity Dr. Angela Fitch

Obesity Comorbidities Dr. Wesley Dutton

Lightning Round 2 Dr. Sreevidya Bodepudi

Panel Discussion / Q&A Drs. Gorman, Fitch, Dutton, and Bodepudi

Pathophysiology of Obesity 1 Dr. Angela Fitch

Pathophysiology of Obesity 2 Dr. Paul Copeland

Pathophysiology of Obesity 3 Dr. Angela Fitch

Monday, June 8, 2026

Introduction

Welcome and Introduction

Course Directors

2026 Blackburn Lecture: State of Obesity in 2026

Dr. Robert Kushner

Roundtable Discussion with Keynote Speaker

Drs. Robert Kushner and Steven Heymsfeld

Break

Approach to Treatment

Clinical Approach to the Patient with Obesity

Dr. Ethan Lazarus

Standards of Care for Obesity Treatment

Dr. Kimberly Gudzune

Body Composition

Dr. Grant Tinsley

Obesity and Mental Health: Shared Complexity, Mechanisms and Responsibilities

Dr. Robin Pashby

Panel Discussion: Approach to Treatment

Drs. Fitch, Tinsley, Lazarus, and Pashby

Break

Pharmacotherapy

Obesity Pharmacotherapy

Dr. Leslie Golden

Combination Treatment for Obesity Management

Dr. Sreevidya Bodepudi

Pharmacodynamics and Medication Dosing in the Patient with Obesity

Dr. Christina Chow

A Patient’s Perspective

Dr. Angela Fitch

Panel Discussion: Pharmacotherapy

Drs. Golden, Bodepudi, Chow, and Fitch

Self-Paced Study

Time for self-paced study of any of the pre-recorded sessions, including the following:

Staging, Assessment and Treatment of Obesity

Dr. Daniel Bessesen

Patient-Centric Treatment of Obesity

Dr. Sean Wharton

Complex Genetic Obesity Syndromes

Dr. Sadaf Forroqi

Patient Case Presentations Highlighting Delivery of Care 1

Dr. Jennifer Mulligan

Patient Case Presentations Highlighting Delivery of Care 2

Dr. Jennifer Mulligan

Patient Case Presentations Highlighting Delivery of Care 3

Dr. Sreevidya Bodepudi

Beyond BMI: Obesity Staging and Guidelines Based on the Treatment of Obesity

Dr. Timothy Garvey

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Introduction Day 2

Course Directors

Exercise and Dietary Considerations

Key Exercise Recommendations for Weight Loss and Maintenance

Dr. John Jakicic

The Updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Dr. Christopher Gardner

This session not eligible for AAFP credits

Time-Restricted Eating

Dr. Krista Varady

Dietary Strategies for Weight Loss

Dr. Chika Anekwe

Culinary Medicine Programs

Dr. Michelle Hauser

Panel Discussion: Dietary Considerations

Drs. Jakicic, Gardner, Varady, Anekwe, and Fitch

Break

Individualization of Care

The New Fundamentals of Obesity Care

Dr. Carolynn Francavilla-Brown

Genetics and the Future of Obesity Treatment

Dr. Jesse Richards

Lipodistrophy

Dr. Lindsay Fourman

Panel Discussion: Individualization of Care

Drs. Francavilla-Brown, Richards, Fourman, and Fitch

Break

Precision Care

Precision Medical Treatment of Obesity

Dr. Andres Acosta

Precision Lifestyle Treatments for Obesity

Dr. Andrew Chan

The Future State of Obesity Care

Dr. Deborah Horn

Patient Case Presentations Highlighting Precision Delivery of Care

Dr. Florence Porterfield

Panel Discussion: Precision Care

Drs. Acosta, Chan, Horn, Porterfield, and Fitch

Self-Paced Study

Time for self-paced study of any of the pre-recorded sessions, including the following:

Circadian Influences and Lifestyle Interventions

Dr. Frank Scheer

A Dietitian’s Approach to a Patient with Obesity

Abeer Bader, RD

Tailoring Obesity Care Based on Genetic Differences

Dr. Ruth Loos

Research into Tailoring Obesity Care

Dr. Elizabeth Speliotes

Using Technology to Deliver Personalized Metabolic Care

Dr. Eran Segal

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Introduction Day 3

Course Directors

Models of Delivering Care

Cooperative Integrated and Virtual Care Models

Dr. Florencia Halperin

Delivering Effective Obesity Care in Private Practice

Dr. Shirly (Shalu) Ramchandani

Dr. Leigh Perreault

Optimizing Outcomes: Success of a Pharmacist-Driven GLP-1 Program

Dr. Amanda Powell

Group Visit Models

Dr. Jacob Mirsky

Panel Discussion: Models of Delivering Care

Drs. Halperin, Ramchandani, Perreault, Mirsky, Fitch, and Singh

Break

Pediatrics

Assessment of the Pediatric Patient with Obesity

Dr. Marisa Censani

Use of Anti-Obesity Medications in Pediatric Patients

Dr. Vibha Singhal

Bariatric Endoscopy and Surgery in the Pediatric Patient

Dr. Cornelia Griggs

Panel Discussion: Obesity in the Pediatric Population

Drs. Censani, Singhal, Griggs, and Fitch

Break

Endoscopic and Surgical Approaches to Treating Obesity

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty, POSE, and TORe

Dr. Barham Abu Dayyeh

Gastric Balloons and Duodenal Resurfacing

Dr. Amandeep Singh

Update on Bariatric Surgery

Dr. Richard Peterson

Nonsurgical Management of the Postbariatric Surgery Patient

Dr. Angela Fitch

Panel Discussion: Endoscopic and Surgical Approaches to Treating Obesity

Drs. Abu Dayyeh, Singh, Peterson, and Fitch

Self-Paced Study

Time for self-paced study of any of the pre-recorded sessions, including the following:

Providing Virtual Obesity Care

Drs. Katherine Saunders and Leon Igel

Optimizing Obesity Care in Private Practice: Strategies for Success

Dr. Carolynn Francavilla-Brown

Advancing Obesity Care in Academic Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities

Drs. Lauren Oshman and Dina Griauzde

Multi-Disciplinary Weight Center Case Study: Massachusetts General Hospital

Dr. Angela Fitch

Multi-Disciplinary Weight Center Case Study: Geisinger

Dr. Christopher Still

Multi-Disciplinary Weight Center Case Study: University of Colorado

Dr. Adam Gilden

Implementation Science in Cardiometabolic Health: State of the State and Future Strategies

Dr. Alexander (AJ) Blood

Thursday, June 11, 2026

Introduction Day 4

Course Directors

Disparities and Stigma in Obesity Care

Addressing Healthcare Disparities in Obesity Treatment

Dr. Jamy Ard

Ensuring Equal Access to Care for All Patients: A North Carolina Story

Dr. Sarah Ro

Stigma and Bias in Treating Obesity

Joe Nadglowski

Panel Discussion: Disparities and Stigma

Joe Nadglowski and Drs. Ard, Ro, and Fitch

Break

Considerations in the Patient with Obesity

The Unbearable Lightness of Weight and Age

Dr. Beverly Tchang

The Intersection of Metabolic Disease and Mental Health

Dr. Christopher Palmer

Considerations for the Patient with Obesity Prior to a Procedure (with Patient on GLP-1, Colonoscopy Considerations)

Dr. Rodney Voisine

Panel Discussion: Considerations in the Patient with Obesity

Drs. Tchang, Palmer, Voisine, Fitch, and Singh

Break

Diseases in the Patient with Obesity

Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease

Dr. Harold Edward Bays

Sleep Health and Sleep Apnea

Dr. Jeremy McConnell

Obesity and Cancer

Dr. Justin Brown

MASLD/MASH Updates and Treatment Landscape in 2026

Dr. Nadege Gunn

Obesity and Diabetes

Dr. Paul Copeland

Panel Discussion: Diseases

Drs. Bays, McConnell, Gunn, Copeland, Fitch, and Singh

Self-Paced Study

Time for self-paced study of any of the pre-recorded sessions, including the following:

Caring for All Patients

Dr. Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa

Equity in Obesity Care

Dr. Wesley Dutton

Diagnosis and Staging of MAFLD/MASH

Dr. Kathleen Corey