Preventive medicine physician, National Center for Weight and Wellness, Washington, DC, US

Career Highlights

Obesity medicine
Preventive health

“There are many myths and misinformation surrounding obesity that come from a variety of sources (the media and society). Through my work, I aim to demystify the topic and reduce shame for my patients. By empowering them with the information they need and working together with them to find the best treatment plan that works for their body, we are able to achieve great results, which is very fulfilling.”

— Dr. Scott Kahan

Career Highlights

Obesity medicine
Preventive health

— Dr. Scott Kahan

Career

National Center for Weight and Wellness – Director, since 2011
George Washington University School of Public Health – Faculty, since 2010
Strategies to Overcome and Prevent Obesity Alliance – Medical director, since 2010
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health – Faculty, since 2007
Johns Hopkins University – Physician, since 2005
Scientific peer reviewer for over 30 academic journals and research associations

Education

Johns Hopkins University – Residency in public health and general preventive medicine, 2005–2008
Johns Hopkins University – Master of Public Health, 2007
Franklin Square Hospital Center – Residency in internal medicine, 2003–2004
Medical College of Pennsylvania (now Drexel University College of Medicine) – Degree in medicine, 2002
Columbia University, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science – Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering, 1997

Awards and achievements

Certified obesity medicine specialist and nutritionist
Recipient of numerous awards, including Clinician of the Year in 2017 by The Obesity Society, Healthcare Provider Advocate of the Year in 2016 by the Obesity Action Coalition, the Patients’ Choice award as one of Washington DC’s best physicians from 2010 to 2018, Outstanding Contribution Gratitude Award by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Weight Management DPG, and #1 Preventive Medicine Physician in Washington, DC, by rateMDs.com
Published 14 books and over 60 papers in peer-reviewed journals
Columnist for HuffPost, with publications in many other newspapers, including USA Today, The Washington Post, and The New York Times
Scientific peer reviewer for over 30 academic journals and research associations
Frequent speaker at conferences
Advisor to the White House, several surgeons general, members of the US Congress, US Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, numerous governmental agencies, national and local advocacy groups, and public health initiatives

Academic memberships

Member of several committees, including the Professional Practice Committee for the American Diabetes Association, Advocacy and Public Outreach Core Committee for the Endocrine Society, and The Obesity Society Council

Interviews, appearances and press

” Medical Clinics of North America, vol. 102, no. 1, pp. 49–63.,

09 Jan 2018

Guideline Recommendations for Obesity Management.

Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 360–65.,

04 Oct 2016

Obesity and Government.

Medical Clinics of North America, vol. 100, no. 6, pp. 1341–56.,

02 Nov 2016

Nutrition Interventions for Obesity.

Johns Hopkins University Press,

26 Nov 2014

Health Behavior Change in Populations.

Flo articles reviewed by Dr. Scott Kahan