This week, host Karli Burridge speaks with her colleague, Dr. Anthony Auriemma, about how Dr. Auriemma has grown the obesity medicine program at Ascension to 10 locations in the Chicagoland area, as well as about the launch of the Illinois Obesity Society, and how it has grown to one of the biggest and most active State obesity organizations in the country. Dr. Auriemma taps into his JD degree, as he summarizes the steps that organizations must take to successfully start a non-profit, and provides tips and pearls on growing an organization. Dr. Anthony Auriemma graduated Cum Laude from Hope College before receiving his Doctor of Medicine Degree at Loyola University, Chicago. He also earned a Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. As you can tell, he’s a real slacker. Dr. Auriemma completed his residency in Family Medicine at Hinsdale Hospital where he served as Chief Resident. He is Board Certified in both Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine, and serves as Medical Director for Ascension Weight Loss Solutions, which is where I work with him clinically. He is a Board member and Fellow of the Obesity Medicine Association, and also serves as an alternate delegate at the American Medical Association representing the Obesity Medicine Association.  He was the recipient of OMA’s Dr. Vernon B Astler award in 2022, and he is a founding member and past president of the Illinois Obesity Society, which was founded in 2019, and which is currently one of the largest and most active state obesity organizations in the country. Support the showThe Gaining Health Podcast will release a new episode every Wednesday, alternating between interviews with experts and "What's Up Wednesday" scientific updates.For a roadmap for developing an obesity program, editable forms and templates, patient education materials, and more, check out Gaining Health If you are loving this podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon