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Kara Mayes, MD

Chief Medical Officer at Ilant Health

Insights & ideas

Kara Mayes emphasizes that physicians often learn important clinical developments directly from patients, describing how a patient's question about a new weight-loss medication first drew her into obesity medicine [1]. She argues that weight management deserves dedicated clinical attention because patients often struggle despite trying many diets and exercise plans, and she frames obesity treatment as an opportunity to focus on wellness rather than just treating acute disease [1]. She notes that weight management is largely absent from standard medical school and residency training, requiring physicians to pursue independent study, CME pathways, and board certification through the American Board of Obesity Medicine, which she points out is not an ABMS-recognized subspecialty but still offers a meaningful credentialing route [1].

She also advocates for integrating weight management into primary care structures, describing her role in embedding a dedicated weight and wellness clinic within a primary care department so referring physicians could offer patients specialized support [1]. She stresses building a broader care team, including dietitians and exercise physiologists, rather than managing weight loss alone, and describes her own career shift from full-spectrum family medicine to dedicating herself entirely to obesity medicine as reflecting her conviction that this focused, longitudinal approach to patient health is more fulfilling and effective [1].

Experience

  1. Chief Medical Officer
    Ilant HealthJun 2024 to Present
  2. Medical Director
    Mercy Clinic Weight and WellnessJan 2017 to Aug 2024
  3. Family Physician
    Mercy ClinicJul 2012 to Sep 2021
  4. Resident
    Mercy Family MedicineJul 2009 to Jun 2012
  5. Student
    Saint Louis University School of MedicineJul 2005 to May 2009

Education

Media & appearances

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