Care Team Spotlight: Maritza Jerome, DO - Obesity Medicine

The Obesity Medicine Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School was launched in 2025 to provide advanced subspecialty education for physicians preparing for careers in the rapidly expanding discipline of obesity medicine. The one-year program trains one physician each year, preparing graduates for roles as clinicians, clinician-educators, or research leaders dedicated to improving care for people living with obesity.

Inaugural fellow, Dr. Maritza Jerome, helped to shape the program and will join the UMass Chan faculty in October of 2026.

From Family Medicine to Obesity Medicine

Dr. Jerome is a board-certified family medicine physician who has cared for patients with chronic disease in underserved communities. Her interest in obesity medicine began while practicing in a rural community health center, where patient questions about weight-loss medication led her to explore the science, treatment options, and emerging therapies in the field.

As newer GLP-based medications became more widely used, she learned more about obesity medicine as its own subspecialty. After attending her first Obesity Medicine Association conference in 2023, she decided to pursue fellowship training to better care for patients who often face complex health challenges, limited treatment access, and weight stigma.

Building a New Fellowship Program

When Dr. Jerome interviewed with Drs. Amin Sabet and Nina Rosano, she was drawn to their commitment to building a meaningful fellowship program. After visiting UMass Chan and meeting the faculty, she saw an opportunity for strong mentorship, professional growth, and collaboration.

As the first fellow, Dr. Jerome helped establish the program’s foundation and hopes to continue working with Drs. Rosano and Sabet as the fellowship and medical weight-loss program grow.

Training Physicians in a Rapidly Evolving Field

Obesity medicine is a growing field shaped by new medications, expanding research, and a better understanding of obesity as a complex, chronic disease. The fellowship prepares physicians to provide individualized care that may include medication, surgery, nutrition support, behavioral health, physical activity, and long-term follow-up.

The program also exposes fellows to a multidisciplinary model of care through the medical weight-loss clinic, which brings together specialists from endocrinology, nutrition, psychology, exercise physiology, hepatology, pediatric endocrinology, and bariatric surgery.

This team-based approach helps patients receive care that reflects the many factors that can contribute to obesity, including genetics, hormones, environment, trauma, medications, medical conditions, and access to care.

Educating the Next Generation

The fellowship also supports education across UMass Chan. Endocrinology residents and fellows rotate through the department, and medical students receive obesity-focused lectures. Regardless of specialty, trainees gain a better understanding of obesity and how to care for patients with more knowledge, compassion, and evidence-based support.

Dr. Jerome also trains family medicine residents in Fitchburg and sees education as an important part of her future career.

Addressing Weight Stigma

A major part of obesity medicine is correcting the misconception that obesity is simply a matter of willpower. Obesity is a chronic disease that deserves medical treatment, just like diabetes, heart disease, or other long-term conditions.

Dr. Jerome is passionate about helping patients feel heard, respected, and supported. Many people living with obesity have gone years without meaningful help from family, friends, or even the medical community. The medical weight-loss team works to create a safe and compassionate environment where patients can receive care without stigma.

Pediatric and Adult Care

Although Dr. Jerome enjoys caring for adults with obesity, she entered the fellowship with a goal of strengthening her ability to care for children and adolescents. She is especially interested in helping younger patients receive support earlier in life, before obesity-related health complications progress into adulthood.

Her fellowship experience has strengthened her interest in academic medicine, research, and caring for both pediatric and adult patients after training.

Message to Patients

The medical weight-loss clinic is committed to listening to patients’ experiences, understanding their challenges, and helping them move forward with individualized, evidence-based care.

The goal is to put the patient first and support each person through the next step in their weight-loss journey.