Obesity is a complex, chronic condition that intersects with metabolic health, hormones, cancer risk, and overall well-being — yet it is often misunderstood and oversimplified. In this panel discussion, Drs. Nina Crowley, Leslie Golden, Renee Rogers, and Robyn Pashby will bring multidisciplinary perspectives to the evolving science of obesity care. Together, they will explore current treatment approaches, including nutrition, lifestyle interventions, behavioral health, and medical management, while addressing common misconceptions and emerging strategies for long-term success. Designed to encourage thoughtful dialogue, this session will provide practical insights and a more comprehensive understanding of obesity and its role in women’s health.
Nina Crowley, PhD, RD, is a nationally recognized expert in obesity care and body composition with 20 years of experience as a practicing dietitian and former bariatric program director. Deeply rooted in the dietetics profession, she has held leadership roles in local, state, and national dietetic associations. As Director of Clinical Education and Partnerships at seca, she leads collaborations to advance metabolic health education. Nina serves on the Board of Directors for the Obesity Action Coalition and hosts In the Know with Nina, a podcast exploring body composition, GLP-1 therapies, and patient-centered care.
Leslie Golden, MD, MPH, DABOM, is a dual board-certified physician in Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine and the founder and CEO of Weight In Gold Wellness, a multi-provider medical practice delivering comprehensive, evidence-based obesity and cardiometabolic care across Wisconsin. Her clinic integrates medical treatment, nutrition therapy, coaching, and behavioral support for both children and adults — a model that reflects her commitment to care grounded in science, empathy, and sustainability.
Dr. Golden serves as Chair of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Advocacy Committee, President of the Wisconsin Obesity Society, and was elected to the OMA Board of Trustees in 2025. That same year, she received the Dr. Vernon Astler Award for her leadership in advancing OMA's presence in media, government, and the medical community. A national speaker and health policy advocate, she has been recognized as a Top Obesity Medicine Specialist by Women in Medicine. She draws on her own lived experience with obesity to bring both clinical depth and personal insight to her work.
Renee J. Rogers, PhD, FACSM, is a Senior Scientist at the University of Kansas Medical Center and an expert in bio-behavioral healthy lifestyle intervention in obesity and chronic disease, with a focus on engagement strategies that promote long-term adherence. Her formal training spans Exercise Physiology, Behavior Change, and Weight Management, and her research and translational work bridges the patient experience — behavioral considerations — with the biological changes resulting from medical treatments and lifestyle interventions for obesity.
Dr. Rogers chairs the ACSM Strategic Health Initiative for Behavior Change and the Health & Fitness Summit. Her current research examines the role of exercise and body composition alongside contemporary obesity treatments, including GLP-1 therapies. She is a regularly invited speaker at major conferences, including the ADA Clinical Conference and The Obesity Society, and has provided expert commentary for outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, and Prevention.
Robyn Pashby, PhD, is a licensed clinical health psychologist and an internationally recognized expert in the psychological and behavioral treatment of weight and weight-related chronic conditions. As founder of Health Psychology Partners, she leads a team specializing in comprehensive, patient-centered psychological treatment grounded in science and compassion.
With nearly two decades of experience, she holds national leadership roles with The Obesity Society, the Obesity Action Coalition, and the American Diabetes Association. She serves as a Research Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Dr. Pashby is a published author; her book "The New Food Fight" was released in 2025. She frequently appears in major media outlets such as the NYT and NPR, translating complex research at the intersection of mental health and metabolic health into practical, accessible insights for clinicians, patients, and policymakers worldwide.