Obesity presents significant challenges, impacting not only physical health but also self-esteem, mental well-being, and social interactions. Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Weight Loss Clinic offers a comprehensive approach to weight loss, focusing on personalized care and long-term success. The clinic understands that losing weight is not merely about willpower but about utilizing all available tools and resources.
Personalized and Comprehensive Care
AHN Weight Loss Clinic is committed to helping individuals achieve their health and weight loss goals through personalized care and a focus on overall well-being. Recognizing that everyone faces unique obstacles in their weight loss journey, the clinic's team of weight loss specialists prioritizes patient safety and comfort.
Individualized Approach
AHN recognizes the unique needs of each patient. Losing weight is rarely easy, and there’s no quick fix. The clinic’s treatments provide the weight loss jump-start needed to maintain good habits in the long run.
Addressing Co-existing Conditions
The clinic is equipped to address the unique challenges that may accompany weight loss, such as diabetes. Patients are supported throughout their weight loss journey. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of serious health issues like diabetes and heart disease.
Treatment Options and Programs
AHN Weight Loss Clinic offers a variety of treatment options and programs tailored to individual needs, including medical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and surgical options.
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Medical Weight Loss
Medical weight loss options at AHN include:
- HMR Program (Health Management Resources): This meal replacement program involves consuming specific foods, such as protein shakes, on a structured meal schedule. Patients on the HMR program participate in regular in-person support group meetings. A physician will help determine the most suitable type of HMR diet.
- Weight Loss Medications: Different types of medications, including weight loss pills or injections, can aid weight loss by reducing hunger or balancing blood sugar levels.
- GLP-1 Agonists: A new class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists are designed to help people with diabetes or people with significant obesity reduce their BMI and get to a healthier weight.
Nutrition Counseling
Nutrition professionals provide one-on-one guidance to teach patients the basics of a healthy diet.
Bariatric Surgery
For individuals who require more intensive intervention, bariatric surgery may be considered after trying medication and diet changes. Free information sessions are available to learn more about bariatric surgery options and meet the weight loss specialists.
Initial Steps
Scheduling an appointment with a primary care provider (PCP) is the first step for those interested in weight loss. The PCP will review the patient's health history, discuss weight loss goals, and may refer the patient to a dietitian for guidance on diet and lifestyle changes.
Patient Satisfaction and Reviews
AHN Weight Loss Clinic values patient feedback and utilizes a third-party vendor, Press Ganey, to gather patient satisfaction information. Press Ganey is used by other hospitals and health systems and is trusted by government agencies, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This ensures that the ratings and comments provided are unbiased and come directly from patients who have seen the doctor.
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Gathering Patient Feedback
Surveys are distributed to patients who visit an AHN doctor in an office or clinic setting, provided they have not received a patient satisfaction survey within the last 90 days. AHN doctors encourage patients to share their feedback through the patient satisfaction survey to nurture a high-quality experience.
Benefits of Dependable Review Information
Having dependable review information readily available helps patients choose the doctor that is right for them based on their individual criteria. Ratings are based on responses to five questions about the doctor, measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. The Press Ganey Seal of Integrity ensures that the information is valid and objective.
Validation and Transparency
The measures have been tested in national validation studies to ensure reliability, predictive validity, and construct validity. All patient responses are 100% validated. Both positive and negative comments appear in their entirety on doctor’s profiles, with the exception of comments that are libelous, slanderous, profane, or those that risk patient privacy.
Inclusion Criteria
AHN doctors who see patients in an office or clinic and have a reliable number of completed patient surveys will have reviews included on their profile. Affiliated doctors who have privileges at Allegheny Health Network hospitals but are not part of Allegheny Health Network will not have reviews on their profile pages because they are not employed by Allegheny Health Network.
Encouraging Patient Feedback
AHN encourages all patients to share their experience with their doctors by filling out and returning the patient satisfaction survey sent after an appointment.
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Spotlight on a Top Doctor: Grace Ahn, MD
Grace Ahn, MD, FACP, FACR, RhMSUS, CCD, is a highly regarded physician at AHN. Dr. Ahn's impressive background and dedication to patient care make her a valuable asset to the clinic.
Education and Training
Dr. Ahn's educational journey began in her early teens. She attended the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar, majoring in music and minoring in Biology, earning her B.A. degree with Distinction in 2001. After graduation, she spent a year participating in basic research at the National Cancer Institute before enrolling at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, where she received her medical degree in 2006. Dr. Ahn completed her internship at Drexel/Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, PA. Her internal medicine residency was at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, where she served as Chief Resident. She remained at Northwestern for her rheumatology fellowship in Chicago, IL.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Ahn has received multiple scholarships and awards throughout her academic and medical careers, including Intern of the Month during residency and fellow teaching awards. She has been recognized as a “Top Doctor” by several publications, including Washingtonian Magazine, Arlington Magazine, and Northern Virginia Magazine, for multiple consecutive years.
Research and Publications
Dr. Ahn has been the first author and co-authored several articles and abstracts, and presented research at regional, national, and international conferences, including the American College of Physicians, the American College of Rheumatology, and Osteoarthritis Research Society International. She has had publications in medical journals, including an article on physical activity and systemic lupus erythematosus published in Arthritis Care & Research.
Expertise and Interests
Dr. Ahn is board-certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, and RhMSUS and is a member of the American College of Physicians and a fellow member of the American College of Rheumatology. Her areas of interest include musculoskeletal ultrasound, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout.
Personal Life
Dr. Ahn is married to a colon and rectal surgeon and has two children. She enjoys playing the piano, traveling, and spending time with her family. In addition to English, she is fluent in Korean.
Locations and Schedule
Dr. Ahn accepts patients at both the Fairfax, VA, and Rockville 5, MD, facilities. The minimum age group accepted is 18 years.
Weekly Schedule:
- Monday: Fairfax, VA
- Tuesday: Rockville 5, MD
- Wednesday: Fairfax, VA
- Thursday: Rockville 5, MD
Patient Testimonials
Patients have expressed high satisfaction with Dr. Ahn's care. One patient, Carmine V., shared, "I was very impressed with Dr. Ahn. This was my first appt & her exam was very detailed & thorough. She spent nearly 1 hr with me. I am most appreciative.”
Financial Resources
AHN understands the financial concerns associated with weight loss treatments and offers resources to help patients navigate cost and health insurance coverage.