Why do so many healthcare providers still view obesity as a lifestyle choice rather than a complex chronic disease—and how can we change that? In this Echo Episode, Dr. Andrea Austin interviews Dr. Katherine Saunders about her journey from pre-med influences to pioneering obesity medicine at Weill Cornell and co-founding FlyteHealth. They explore obesity's scientific underpinnings, the impact of weight bias, practical advice for EM physicians in brief encounters, common weight-promoting medications, the value of bariatric surgery, and emerging tools like genetic testing and AI-driven algorithms. Katherine emphasizes empathy, permission-based discussions, and multidisciplinary approaches to treat obesity as the root cause of over 200 comorbidities. You’ll hear how they: Debunk obesity myths perpetuated in medicine, framing it as a chronic disease requiring medical intervention beyond "eat less, exercise more"Provide strategies for EM docs to discuss weight compassionately in 5 minutes, including asking permission, using neutral language, and offering resources without judgmentDiscuss weight-promoting factors like medications (e.g., progesterone-focused birth control), stress, genetics, and sleep apnea, plus the role of bariatric surgery and anti-obesity medsHighlight innovative obesity care through FlyteHealth's telehealth platform, AI algorithms for personalized treatment, and collaborative post-surgical managementIf you're a physician encountering obesity-related issues in acute care or seeking better ways to support patients, this episode delivers empathetic insights and actionable tools for transformative care. About the Guest: "Obesity isn't just a lifestyle problem, it's a complex chronic disease we can now treat effectively." – Dr. Katherine Saunders Dr. Katherine Saunders, MD, FTOS is a leading obesity medicine expert, co-founder and executive vice president of FlyteHealth, and clinical assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree Phi Beta Kappa/Summa Cum Laude from Dartmouth College and her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College, where she became a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her residency at New York-Presbyterian and was the first obesity medicine fellow at Weill Cornell's Comprehensive Weight Control Center. Board-certified in internal medicine and obesity medicine, she hosts the Weight Matters podcast, speaks internationally, and has been recognized as a top influencer in wellness. 📍 Connect with Katherine LinkedIn: Katherine (Heyman) Saunders, MD, FTOS Flyte Health Website: https://www.flytehealth.com Flyte Medical (for patients): https://www.joinflyte.com 📚 Resources + Mentions American Board of Obesity MedicineWeight Matters Podcast (hosted by Dr. Katherine Saunders and Dr. Louis Aronne)Rhythm Pharmaceuticals (genetic testing and treatments for obesity mutations)Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell MedicineRevitalized: A Guidebook to Following Your Healing Heartline by Dr. Andrea Austin🔑 Top 3 Key Takeaways Treat obesity as a disease: Shift from blaming lifestyle to recognizing biological factors like genetics, medications, and set points—use evidence-based interventions like anti-obesity meds and surgery for lasting results.Communicate with compassion: In acute settings, ask permission to discuss weight, use neutral terms like "excess weight," avoid assumptions, and gently offer resources to build trust and reduce stigma.Address multifaceted causes: Identify contributors like stress-induced cortisol issues, progesterone-heavy birth control, or sleep apnea; collaborate with specialists and leverage tools like AI algorithms for personalized, multidisciplinary care.🩺 About the Host: Dr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out. With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart. 💫 About the Show: Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible. Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done. Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimagining systems built on burnout and hierarchy. This is a space for truth-telling, for asking better questions, and for reconnecting with the reason we all got into medicine in the first place: to make it better. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—with heart. Follow Your Heartline and transform healthcare today! 🎓 Upcoming Events & Opportunities 🔥 Recalibrate: Group Coaching for PhysiciansStarting 2026, I’ll be co-leading Recalibrate with psychologist and coach Sharee Johnson. This 6-month group coaching program supports physicians in rediscovering mindfulness, meaning, and wholehearted practice. I'm an alum myself—this program transformed my career. Learn more and enroll here, and please share with colleagues who may benefit. AAWEP St. Lucia Retreat | March 5–8, 2026For women EM physicians. Sun, connection, and reflection in a stunning setting.Heart of Medicine in Uluru, Australiao Join us for this incredible one of a one-of-a-kind event in the heart of Australia at one of our most spectacular locations—Voyagers Resort in Central Australia in 2026. o Learn from some of the world's medical leaders in compassionate care, and how heart-centered healthcare can empower and heal healthcare workers and their patients. o For: Doctors, Nurses, Allied Health Clinicians, Healthcare Leaders, Coaches and Supervisors of Medics, Patient Advocates and all healthcare workers. o When: 29-31 July 2026 Where: Voyages Ayers Rock Resort, Central Australia Women in Medicine Summit | Chicago, Sept 24-26, 2026—------------------------------- 🎧 Thanks for tuning into Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare! 🌟 Learn more and book a free discovery call today at andreaaustinmd.com/coaching. Stay connected and keep making a difference: ✅ Subscribe to the Heartline newsletter for insights into reclaiming your well-being as a healthcare professional, improving teams around you, and transforming the system. 📱 Follow us on social: Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube 📚Discover Dr. Austin’s book Revitalized: A Guidebook to Following Your Healing Heartline. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
