Shannon Aymes, MD, MPH

I became a doctor because I knew at a young age, I had a scientist’s brain. Being a clinician-educator allows me to be a scientist while also spending time with patients and trainees. I am trained as an internal medicine physician with a focus on preventive medicine. This means that I do not just think about medical care and health at the individual level, but also at the population level. My clinical work focuses on treating the disease of obesity through medications and lifestyle. I particularly like helping people get to a place where they have a better quality of life, no matter what the number on the scale says. My approach to patient care involves throwing out the old thoughts that weight is just a reflection of one’s personal choices and about how many calories they eat or how much they exercise. The human body is very complex, and addressing weight requires a comprehensive approach. Many of my patients have been the victims of weight bias and stigma. I want to create a clinical experience that lets them be seen and heard in a safe, welcoming environment. When I am not at work, I enjoy being outdoors with my family and dogs, camping, traveling, and reading and watching science/speculative fiction.