Obesity in the Black Community: Weighing the Complexity Above Statistics

Kathi Earles, MD, MPH
Dr. Kathi A. Earles is a highly respected speaker, writer, and educator on obesity who is passionate about dismantling the health disparities impacting minority communities. A dually board-certified pediatrician and diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine with a master of public health, Dr. Earles has a unique perspective in medicine due to her three decades of medical experience spanning academia to industry. Specifically, she brings a wealth of knowledge regarding diabetes and how focusing on the prevention and treatment of obesity can mitigate diabetes and other obesity-related comorbidities. Previously, Dr. Earles the Assistant Director of the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) Pediatrics Residency program, where she was instrumental in developing the curriculum and establishing the program from its inception. Currently, she is the Senior Obesity Medical Liaison for Novo Nordisk, Inc. (NNI), where she educates healthcare providers on the pathophysiology, comorbidities, treatment, and prevention strategies of obesity. Before her current position, she was a Senior Diabetes Medical Liaison for 11 years with NNI. In addition, Dr. Earles plays an integral role in the development, initiation, and analysis of numerous Phase 3 clinical trials, which have been invaluable in the approval process of many life-saving medications.
Dr. Earles graduated from Howard University College of Medicine and subsequently received a Master’s in Public Health from the University of California/Los Angeles. She has received many recognitions and awards, including ＂Leading African American Physician＂ by Black Enterprise Magazine. Her many authored publications include ＂A Call to Action: Addressing Obesity in the African American Community,＂ published in the National Medical Association journal. She resides with her family in Atlanta, Georgia, and is a passionate multimedia artist and community leader.
Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, DABOM, FOMA

Dr. Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, MD, is an accomplished physician and dual board-certified obesity specialist. She has gained recognition as a bestselling author and multimedia writer, featured in esteemed publications such as Forbes and the Wall Street Journal. Dr. Bollie is a regular contributor to Medscape.com and serves on the Endocrinology Editorial Board, further demonstrating her expertise in the field. She founded Embrace Your Weight & Wellness, a venture to address disparities in personalized obesity care. In addition to her medical practice, Dr. Bollie is a wellness coach and has maintained her weight loss for eight years. Her book, ＂Embrace You: Your Guide to Transforming Weight Loss Misconceptions Into Lifelong Wellness,＂ has received numerous accolades, including being recognized as Healthline.com’s ＂Best Weight Loss Book of 2022＂ and listed among Livestrong’s ＂Top 8 Weight Loss Books of 2022.＂ Dr. Bollie has created culturally tailored obesity content for national organizations like Black Health and BlackDoctor.org, and she actively contributes to the Black Physicians Healthcare Network as a local leader. She is a trustee on the Obesity Medicine Association Board, contributing to shaping the future of obesity medicine and health in the Black community.

Tiffani Bell-Washington, MD, MPH, FAPA, DABOM, DABLM,
Dr. Bell Washington is a Harvard Trained Public Health expert and Quadruple Board-Certified Physician who specializes in Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Lifestyle Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. In 2020, Dr. Bell Washington received the Outstanding Teaching Faculty of the Year Award in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Wake Forest School of Medicine and the National Medical Association’s Post-Graduate Section’s ＂Top Physician under 40＂ Emerging Leader award. In 2022, Dr. Bell Washington was selected to be a 40 under 40 ＂Leader in Minority Health ＂by the National Minority Quality Forum, a Nutrition obesity research center at Harvard Diversity Scholar, and A Fellow of the Network for Emotional Well-being, research for Emotional and Physical Health. Dr. Bell has been featured in many publications, including ＂Disparities in Access and Quality of Obesity Care.＂