For millions of Americans living with obesity, diabetes, or other metabolic conditions, navigating weight loss care can often feel fragmented, confusing, or short-lived. AdventHealth is addressing this challenge with a comprehensive, tailored approach that combines medical expertise, lifestyle support, and personalized guidance in one coordinated system — empowering patients to achieve lasting improvements in weight and metabolic health.
At the heart of this initiative is the Health Optimization Center, a dedicated medical practice designed to guide patients through modern weight management and metabolic care. The center offers a full spectrum of support, from lifestyle-based interventions and medical management to advanced therapies such as bariatric surgery, ensuring patients receive individualized care that fits their unique needs.
“Weight loss and metabolic health are not one-size-fits-all,” said Dr. Damon Tanton, executive medical director of the AdventHealth Metabolic Health Institute. “Patients deserve care that goes beyond fads and quick fixes, addressing the whole person — their physiology, habits, mental well-being, and long-term goals. Our Health Optimization Centers integrate the most effective weight loss and metabolic medications with personalized nutrition, behavioral health support, and lifestyle guidance to help patients achieve meaningful, lasting change.”
Unlike traditional programs that focus on a single intervention, the Health Optimization Center connects patients with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurse navigators, dietitians, behavioral health specialists, and fitness experts. Together, they create individualized care plans that may include medical weight management, diabetes care, nutrition coaching, physical activity guidance, stress management, and, when appropriate, surgical options.
Virtual visits, coaching, and educational resources are also available through the AdventHealth app, allowing patients to stay engaged and receive support from anywhere.
“The launch of the Metabolic Health Institute reflects our commitment to meet people where they are and care for what matters most to them,” said Margaret White, vice president of the Metabolic Health Institute. “By bringing these services together, we make it easier for individuals and families to access coordinated, compassionate care that supports long-term health and quality of life.”
The Metabolic Health Institute integrates AdventHealth’s Diabetes and Endocrinology program — ranked 20th nationally by U.S. News & World Report — with its Bariatrics and Weight Management program, creating a seamless experience for patients managing multiple, interconnected conditions.
The need for such a patient-centered model is pressing. Currently, only 36% of Floridians are at a healthy weight, and nearly 60% are projected to have obesity by 2030. More than 2 million adults in Florida — roughly one in nine — already live with diagnosed diabetes, placing additional strain on individuals, families, and the healthcare system.
