Obesity is a complex disease influenced by multiple factors, requiring targeted, evidence-based care. Physicians specializing in obesity medicine are at the forefront of this evolving field, offering comprehensive treatment strategies that address the biological, behavioral, and environmental factors contributing to weight gain.
A new addition to UTMB’s Department of Internal Medicine, Andrea M. Stark, DO, FACP, aims to advance the standard of obesity management and improve long-term health outcomes through clinical excellence and patient-centered care.
“My training entailed rigorous clinical exposure to obesity medicine treatments – both FDA-approved treatments and clinical research trials – in addition to multispecialty clinical rotations,” Dr. Stark says.
These rotations included diverse specialties such as bariatric surgery, nutrition, exercise physiology, sleep medicine, endocrinology, and eating disorder psychology – providing a comprehensive foundation in obesity care.
Dr. Stark earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine Residency, including a year as Chief Resident, at West Virginia University-Charleston/Charleston Area Medical Center. She relocated to the Houston area to begin her Obesity Medicine Fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center (UT Health) in Houston.
“There are fewer than 8,000 physicians in the U.S. board certified in obesity medicine, despite the fact that over 40 percent of adults live with obesity. I pursued this field so that I could offer evidence-based, compassionate care,” she says. “Obesity is a complex, chronic disease, not a personal failure, and it’s important to understand the science and the solutions.”
After completing her fellowship, Dr. Stark joined UTMB’s Department of Internal Medicine, where she now leads efforts to expand obesity care. She is an accomplished researcher, author, educator, lecturer, and mentor, recognized with such honors as Fellowship in the American College of Physicians (FACP).
She was inspired to join UTMB by the institution’s proactive approach to health, including its 2024 designation as a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) Center of Excellence, under the leadership of Dr. Sarah Samreen.
“Reading about this work and knowing that there is a multidisciplinary team working together to help patients battling the disease of obesity, it made me excited to advance these efforts,” Dr. Stark says.
Since arriving at UTMB this summer, Dr. Stark has been committed to establishing her obesity medicine practice at League City Campus. She is part of a dedicated clinic that specializes in treating patients with obesity, emphasizing personalized care that acknowledges each individual's unique experience and needs.
“The first thing we consider for every patient is always lifestyle modification,” she says. “But then we may look at other interventions, including medical and surgical options. There are a number of factors that determine the right path, and no two patients are exactly alike.”
These factors include their body mass index (BMI) and comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, GERD, fatty liver disease, and osteoarthritis; as well as the patient’s lifestyle and history of previous weight loss attempts.
The clinic has a licensed professional counselor on staff to support patients’ mental health through their weight loss journeys. Studies have shown that mental health care is foundational to safe, effective, and sustainable weight loss treatment – ensuring patients are emotionally prepared, less likely to experience complications, and supported in long-term behavior change.
Dr. Stark emphasizes that patients choose to address obesity for a wide range of deeply personal and medical reasons. For many, the decision is not solely about weight, but about reclaiming their health, improving their quality of life, and preparing for other medical procedures that may be safer or more effective once obesity is managed.
She encourages providers across specialties to refer to obesity medicine for evidence-based care focused on improving long-term health outcomes. The current referral in Epic is "Referral Bariatric Surgery,” with Dr. Stark named in the provider field. In the future this will change to "Referral Weight Management" with her name available to select in a drop-down menu.
 | Andrea Stark, DO, FACP, sees patients for obesity medicine at the UTMB Health League City Campus. Learn more about obesity medicine services at UTMB Health. |