March 21, 2026
WOS/ASMBS 2026 Spring Symposium
Obesity Care:
The Bridge to Health
Bringing together leading experts in obesity medicine, bariatric surgery, women’s health, pediatrics, and nutrition for a full day of evidence-based education and collaboration.
Explore the latest advances in obesity treatment, hormone health, medications, surgery, and nutrition through…
Expert lectures
Interactive case discussions
And focused breakout sessions
This event is designed for clinicians across disciplines, this symposium equips you with practical tools, real-world strategies, and meaningful connections to help bridge gaps in care and improve outcomes for patients living with obesity.
Join Us for Our 4th Annual Spring Symposium
The Keynote Address:

Obesity Care: Where We've Been & Where We're Going
Presented by:
Lydia Alexander, MD, MFOMA, DABOM
Immediate Past President, Obesity Medicine Association; Chief Medical Officer, Enara Health. Board-certified obesity, lifestyle, internal medicine physician, and medical chef integrating nutrition, metabolic health, and evidence-based obesity care.
Date and Time:
March 21, 2026
8:00 am – 4:20 pm
Location:
Cedarbrook Lodge
18525 36th Ave. South
Seattle, WA 98188
Registration:
Cost: $180
$150 for WOS & ASMBS
Student and Clinician in Training Rate Available

CME Credits:
5.25 AACME credits*
*The Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.
The Obesity Medicine Association designates this live activity, Washington Obesity Society 2026 Spring Symposium: “Obesity Care: The Bridge to Health”, for a maximum of 5.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.
“This was a wonderful experience. So many great things: the presentations, networking, establishing new connections, continuing education information, exhibits and food/refreshments. Wholesome experience to see a group of healthcare providers coming together to identify obesity as a chronic disease and to see a movement away from the stigma of obesity.”
BOOK YOUR LODGING BY FEB 18TH TO GET OUR GROUP RATE DISCOUNT
The beautiful Cedarbrook Lodge gives you access to a lush 18-acre retreat, placing you amid a true urban oasis, and convenient access to our symposium held here.
$239.00 per night
“WOS consistently brings in outstanding national speakers. The quality of education is exceptional.”
“Everything I learned was directly applicable to caring for patients in my clinical practice.”
Conference Agenda:
7:30-8:15
Sponsored Breakfast
8:00-8:30
Registration, Networking, Exhibits
8:30-8:45
Welcome & Presidential Addresses—WOS & ASMBS WA Chapter Presidents
8:45-9:30
Keynote Address:
Obesity Care: Where We’ve Been & Where We’re Going
Lydia Alexander, MD, MFOMA, DABOM
9:30-10:15
The Hormone-Obesity Connection in Menopause
Kimberly Sampson, MD, MSc, FACOG, DABOM, DACLM, MSCP, FOMA
10:15-10:25
WOS Awards Ceremony
10:25-10:50
Refreshments & Exhibit Hall Break
10:50-11:35
The Role of Obesity Medications Before & After Bariatric Surgery
Tammy Kindel, MD, PhD, FACS, FASMBS
Discover More
Presenter Bio:
Tammy Lyn Kindel, MD, PhD, FACS, FASMBS is an academic bariatric surgeon-scientist with specific clinical development experience in adolescent bariatric surgery, revisional bariatric surgery, and metabolic surgery in advanced heart failure patients. Dr. Kindel is the clinical director of the MBSAQIP accredited bariatric surgery program at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin and vice chief of the division of surgical research in the department of surgery. Her research interests involve GI mediated mechanisms for cardiovascular disease remission after metabolic surgery funded by the National Institutes of Health.
11:35-11:50
Morning Q & A Discussion Panel
Lydia Alexander, MD, MFOMA, DABOM; Kimberley Sampson, MD, MSc, FACOG, DABOM, DACLM, MSCP, FOMA; Tammy Kindel, MD, PhD, FACS, FASMBS
11:50-1:00
Sponsored Lunch (12:00-12:40)
Networking & Exhibit Hall
1:00-1:45
Break-out Sessions:
How to Prescribe Obesity Medications
Stefanie Deeds, MD, FACP, DABOM
Discover More
Presenter Bio:
Stefanie A. Deeds, MD, FACP, DABOM is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and an ABOM Diplomate with board certifications in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. She is the founder of Deeds Health, a direct primary care and obesity medicine practice in Seattle, WA, dedicated to preventative care, weight management, and holistic health. She served as Chief Resident in the Primary Care Track at the University of Washington. Her leadership roles have included serving as the Director of the Primary Care Innovation Lab and Women’s Health Medical Director at the VA Puget Sound and holding various leadership positions within the Northwest Region Society of General Internal Medicine. Dr. Deeds has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and research, with a focus on improving patient quality of care.
Optimizing Body Composition in Obesity Treatment
Sandra Christensen, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC, MFOMA, FAANP
Discover More
Presenter Bio:
Sandra Christensen MSN, ARNP-BC, MFOMA, FAANP is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and holds the Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine from the Obesity Medicine Association. She is the founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Integrative Medical Weight Management in Seattle, Washington. Ms. Christensen is a Master Fellow of the Obesity Medicine Association and a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Obesity Medicine Association and is a founding member and current President of the Washington Obesity Society. Ms. Christensen is an Associate Editor of the journal Obesity Pillars and authors peer-reviewed articles on the topic of obesity. She authored the book, “A Clinician’s Guide to Discussing Obesity with Patients.” Ms.Christensen was named the 2022 Obesity Medicine Association Clinician of the Year and was named America’s Top NP 2024.
Pediatric Obesity: Starting the Conversation
Allison LaRoche, MD
Discover More
Presenter Bio:
Allison LaRoche, MD, is a primary care pediatrician and pediatric endocrinologist at Swedish Medical Group. Since 2019, she has maintained a unique dual practice: providing general pediatric care in Edmonds and specializing in obesity medicine at the Swedish Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic’s Resilience Program in First Hill. Dr. LaRoche earned her medical degree from Duke University before completing her residency and fellowship training at the University of Washington. Her clinical focus centers on pediatric metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, and motivational strategies to help families establish lifelong healthy habits.
1:50-2:35
Break-out Sessions:
The Nutrition Rx: Evidence-Based Nutrition for Obesity Treatment
Mikel Bryant, MS, RDN, CSOWM, CD, LDN
Discover More
Presenter Bio:
Mikel Bryant, MS, RDN, CSOWM, CD, LDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist with 11 years of clinical experience and a board-certified specialist in obesity and weight management. Mikel spent over five years at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, where she served as a clinical dietitian and Instructor in Nutrition. Her work included developing and standardizing obesity and bariatric nutrition education, contributing as a subject matter expert on multidisciplinary committees, and mentoring dietetic interns and healthcare professionals. She currently serves as a Senior Dietitian in Learning & Development at Sensibly Sprouted private practice, where she leads the advancement of evidence-based weight management care, mentors dietitians and dietetic interns, and supports continuing education initiatives.
The Latest Advances in Obesity Medicine & Bariatric Surgery
Wudeneh Mulugeta, MD, MPH, DABOM & Sara Martin del Campo, MD, MS, FACS, FASMBS, DABOM, DABS-FPMBS
Discover More
Presenter Bio:
Wudeneh Mulugeta, MD, MPH, FACP, DABOM is an academic physician at Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) triple board-certified in Obesity Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Preventive Medicine. Dr. Mulugeta brings over a decade of experience from Harvard Medical School, where he served as an Instructor in Medicine. He is recognized for developing innovative, multidisciplinary obesity practice within primary care. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on obesity and presented his work at national and international conferences. An Associate Editor for Obesity Pillars and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, he remains at the forefront of clinical guidelines and medical education in the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Sara E. Martin del Campo, MD, MS, FACS, FASMBS, DABOM, DABS-FPMBS is a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeon with Providence Swedish Weight Loss Services. Dr. Martin del Campo is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon. She has earned a Focused Practice certificate in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery from the American Board of Surgery, and she is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Her expertise includes advanced laparoscopic, robotic, and endoscopic surgical techniques in general and bariatric surgery. She has studied clinical outcomes in surgery and has authored multiple peer reviewed publications in the field, and she continues to participate on committees of many national societies including the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. She is the 2024-2026 President of the Washington State Chapter of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and has been named a Top Doctor by the Seattle Met 2020-2025.
Treatment Approaches to Pediatric Obesity
Jacob J. Stuppy, DO, MS
Discover More
Presenter Bio:
Jacob J. Stuppy, DO, MS is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine and a pediatrician at Seattle Children’s Hospital, with primary appointments in the Divisions of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and General Pediatrics. He completed a Pediatric Physician-Scientist Residency and a Pediatric Obesity Medicine Fellowship at the University of Minnesota. His clinical and research interests focus on pediatric obesity, metabolic dysfunction, hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and the use of pharmacologic therapies to improve cardiometabolic outcomes in children and adolescents. Dr. Stuppy is actively involved in interdisciplinary clinical care, trainee education, and translational research aimed at improving outcomes for youth with complex obesity.
2:35-2:50
Refreshments & Exhibit Hall Break
2:50-3:30
Interactive Case Discussions:
Implementing an Obesity Treatment Plan
Lydia Alexander, MD, MFOMA, DABOM
Menopause & Obesity Care
Kimberley Sampson, MD, MSc, FACOG, DABOM, DACLM, MSCP, FOMA
Bariatric Surgery & Obesity Medications
Tammy Kindel, MD, PhD, FACS, FASMBS
Discover More
Presenter Bio:
Tammy Lyn Kindel, MD, PhD, FACS, FASMBS is an academic bariatric surgeon-scientist with specific clinical development experience in adolescent bariatric surgery, revisional bariatric surgery, and metabolic surgery in advanced heart failure patients. Dr. Kindel is the clinical director of the MBSAQIP accredited bariatric surgery program at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin and vice chief of the division of surgical research in the department of surgery. Her research interests involve GI mediated mechanisms for cardiovascular disease remission after metabolic surgery funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Pediatric Obesity Management
Allison LaRoche, MD
Discover More
Presenter Bio:
Allison LaRoche, MD, is a primary care pediatrician and pediatric endocrinologist at Swedish Medical Group. Since 2019, she has maintained a unique dual practice: providing general pediatric care in Edmonds and specializing in obesity medicine at the Swedish Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic’s Resilience Program in First Hill. Dr. LaRoche earned her medical degree from Duke University before completing her residency and fellowship training at the University of Washington. Her clinical focus centers on pediatric metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, and motivational strategies to help families establish lifelong healthy habits.
3:35-4:05
Ask the Experts Panel Discussion
Lydia Alexander, MD, MFOMA, DABOM; Kimberley Sampson, MD, MSc, FACOG, DABOM, DACLM, MSCP, FOMA; Tammy Kindel, MD, PhD, FACS, FASMBS; Jacob Stuppy, MD, Mikel Bryant, MS, RDN, CSOWM, CD, LDN
4:05-4:20
Wrap Up & Evaluations
“This was a very well organized symposium. Topics were interesting and appropriate. The speakers were amazing and their talks were engaging and overall great experience.”
Register for the WOS/ASMBS Joint 2026 Spring Symposium
Our Cederbrook Lodge group rate discount ends on Feb 18th.
Don’t miss out, register today!
Registration Options:
General Registration
$180
WOS & ASMBS Members
$180 $150 Save $30
Clinician in Training / Student
$50
Not a member of WOS? Bundle membership and save!
Now only $240 (Save $40 total!)