Susan Reeds, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, WashU Medicine Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipid Research, has carved out a unique and impactful career path in weight management and obesity care. After completing her residency in 2000, Dr. Reeds spent more than 14 years in primary care at Barnes-Jewish in O’Fallon, Missouri. However, as electronic medical records and practice demands evolved, she sought a new direction—one that aligned with both her professional interests and personal circumstances.
A Shift Toward Weight Management
At the time of her transition, there were few structured weight management programs available. The only existing option was an evening weight management program in need of a dedicated physician. With her husband working in endocrinology and closely collaborating with Dr. Samuel Klein at the Center for Human Nutrition, Dr. Reeds found an opportunity to step into this role.
What began as an evening clinic evolved into something much larger. Recognizing the growing need for structured, evidence-based weight management, Dr. Reeds helped establish an outpatient weight management clinic, offering dedicated care to individuals struggling with obesity.
Recognizing the Gaps in Primary Care
Dr. Reed’s background in primary care gave her insight into the obstacles physicians face in providing optimal obesity care. “The structure of a typical primary care practice can make it challenging to dedicate sufficient time to weight management,” she explained. Moreover, she raised the concern that the requirement to address BMI at every visit, even when not the primary focus, could interfere with establishing strong patient rapport.
“Patients with obesity have historically had difficult experiences in healthcare settings,” she said. “They may avoid necessary care and routine screenings because they feel dismissed or stigmatized, even when seeking treatment for unrelated conditions.” Dr. Reeds’ dedicated approach allows her to build trust and develop personalized weight management strategies tailored to each patient’s needs.
A Multi-Faceted Approach to Patient Care
Today, Dr. Reeds sees patients at Barnes West County, with a combination of in-person and telemedicine visits. Her patients are referred from a variety of specialties, including primary care, sleep medicine, gastroenterology, and endocrinology, as well as through community physician referrals. “There are very few specialized medical weight management providers, so we serve a broad range of patients,” she explained.
Her approach begins with comprehensive patient assessments, including:
- Medical history review, often tracing weight-related challenges back to childhood
- Identifying potential genetic factors contributing to obesity
- Evaluating lifestyle changes, including life events, job transitions, or medications that may have impacted weight
- Screening for comorbidities such as insulin resistance, sleep apnea, and fatty liver disease
- Working together with the bariatric surgery and bariatric endoscopy programs
Breakthroughs in Medical Treatment
One of the most significant advancements in obesity care has been the development of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as tirzepatide (Zepbound), which have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in weight reduction. “We are approaching bariatric surgery-level weight loss with these medications,” Dr. Reeds noted. However, insurance coverage remains a major hurdle. Many insurers do not cover weight loss medications unless a patient has another condition such as sleep apnea or diabetes, despite the well-documented health benefits of obesity treatment.
“The reality is, obesity is a chronic medical condition—just like high blood pressure or diabetes,” she said. “We now have life-changing treatments, but many patients struggle to access them due to insurance restrictions.”
Despite these challenges, Dr. Reeds and her team work tirelessly to navigate insurance barriers and explore affordable treatment alternatives for patients.
Read this WashU Medicine study that identifies benefits, risks linked to popular weight-loss drugs.
Expanding Education and Awareness
As part of the Endocrinology Division, Dr. Reeds is involved in medical student, resident and fellow education, helping to challenge misconceptions and reduce stigma around obesity care. One initiative includes bringing in patients to share their experiences, reinforcing the importance of compassionate, evidence-based treatment.
“There’s still so much misinformation out there,” she said. “Many people assume weight loss is just about ‘willpower,’ when in reality, genetics, metabolism, and medical conditions all play significant roles.”
Rebuilding the Weight Management Program
Dr. Reeds remains involved with WashU’s evening weight management program, serving as a medical director. Having faced some hurdles due to COVID-19 and location changes, the program is being updated and reinvigorated. The comprehensive, multidisciplinary program includes:
- Medical assessments
- Psychological evaluations
- Nutritional counseling
- Weekly group sessions
This program is designed to provide patients with long-term support and help them integrate healthy lifestyle changes into real life,” Dr. Reeds explained. “It’s one thing to give advice in a clinical setting, but real-life implementation is where people need the most support.
– Dr. Susan Reeds
Joining the team are Hani Soudah, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine (who served as a mentor as Dr. Reed transitioned from primary care to specializing in obesity medicine) and Veronica Kim, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine. While newer to WashU, they bring established expertise to patient care within these programs. Dr. Soudah contributes specialized knowledge in obesity treatment, including developing educational curricula for medical trainees and contributing to clinical guideline development.
Looking Ahead
As obesity rates continue to rise, the need for dedicated specialists in weight management has never been greater. Dr. Reeds hopes to expand the field, encourage more physicians to specialize in obesity care, and ensure that patients receive the comprehensive, stigma-free treatment they deserve.
“Obesity is a chronic disease, not a personal failing,” she emphasized. “We have the tools to help patients achieve better health—our challenge is making sure they can access them.”
With her unwavering commitment to patient care, education, and advocacy, Dr. Susan Reeds is helping to shape the future of the WashU Metabolic Weight Management Center, one patient at a time.