The OAC is honored to welcome two new members to the OAC National Board of Directors. Liz Paul and Robyn Pashby, PhD, bring their personal experience and dedication to improving the lives of people living with obesity and join the Board in directing the OAC and its activities, setting long-term goals for the association and ensuring that all programs and initiatives are in the interest of individuals affected by obesity.

Liz Paul, a non-profit professional and obesity advocate from Mankato, Minn., has lived with obesity her whole life and uses this first-person experience to advocate against weight bias and stigma and to fight for access to obesity treatments and care for all. In her professional life working with youth, she works to create safe spaces for children to have positive experiences with the outdoors and move their bodies regardless of their size and ability. Liz is a member of the OAC and serves OAC’s Membership, Development, and Inclusivity and Diversity Committees.

Dr. Robyn Pashby is a clinical health psychologist, a passionate member of OAC, and someone who has both personal experience with and a family history of obesity. Dr. Pashby has spent the last 15 years incorporating mental health care into obesity treatment in a variety of multidisciplinary settings, and most recently in her own behavioral health group practice. She loves seeing individual clients and has led numerous groups over the years, including ongoing support groups to help people manage binge eating and to adjust to life after bariatric surgery. When not in session with a client, Dr. Pashby is working to reduce both mental health and weight bias by educating other psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, personal trainers, physical therapists, and other clinical healthcare workers on how these biases harm their patients.

“We are truly excited to have both Liz and Dr. Pashby join the OAC Board. We are continually working to understand and represent all individuals affected by obesity. Having the expertise of both Liz and Dr. Pashby only further increases our strength as an organization. For the past 17 years, the OAC has led the way in providing science-based education, advocating for access to care and stopping weight bias, and most importantly, offering valuable support. We look forward to continuing these efforts in 2022 because the best is yet to come,” said Patricia Nece, JD, OAC Chair.

The OAC would also like to recognize both Pam Davis, RN, CBN, MBA; and Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA, for their continued dedication to the OAC National Board of Directors. Both Pam and Ted will rotate off the Board after many years of service and leadership due to meeting their term limits. Both served as Chair of the OAC, led various OAC Committees and helped guide the organization. “We are extremely grateful for Pam and Ted’s service to the OAC. While I know they will no longer be on the board, I also know that they will continue to support the organization in many other ways through their vast experience in this cause,” said Joe Nadglowski, OAC President and CEO.

The remaining OAC National Board of Directors are as follows: Patricia Nece, JD, Chair; Kristal Hartman, Vice Chair, Nikki Massie, MA, Secretary; Ahn Vu Pham, Treasurer, Sarah Bramblette, MSHL; Nina Crowley, PhD, RDN, LD; Sunil Daniel, MD; FTOS; Debe Gau, Scott Kahan, MD; Rob Portinga, Lloyd Stegemann, MD, FASMBS; Michelle Vicari, and Melinda J. Watman, BSN, MSN, CNM, MBA.