Dr. Joanna Bailey, M.D., a practitioner at Tug River Health Association, Inc. has been certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) as an ABOM diplomate.  Dr. Bailey is one of the few of ABOM diplomates in the state of West Virginia.  ABOM diplomates are physicians who undergo rigorous training in obesity medicine and an extensive examination process to achieve this designation.
The American Board of Obesity Medicine serves the public and the field of obesity medicine by maintaining standards for assessment and credentialing physicians. Certification as an ABOM diplomate signifies specialized knowledge in the practice of obesity medicine and distinguishes a physician as having achieved competency in obesity care.
Currently, there are more than 4,100 ABOM diplomates throughout the United States and Canada.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 42 percent of U.S. adults cope with obesity, which is associated with a higher risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke and other musculoskeletal and vascular problems. Obesity has been officially recognized as a disease by the American Medical Association since 2013.
Dr. Bailey said “n Southern WV, we have so many patients who have obesity related chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease.  Working daily to treat conditions caused by underlying obesity without addressing the cause of the problems is futile and after years had become frustrating.  In 2018, Tug River obtained funding from WVU and the Higher Education Policy commission that made it possible for me to pursue training to treated the chronic disease of obesity.  It is truly rewarding to see my patients, and their chronic conditions getting better with this treatment!  Receiving board certification and recognition of my heart work and expertise in this field is the icing on the cake that my patients are no longer eating! “