Calendar
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Event Description
Please join Cathryn Williams, Psy.D.; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Student Counseling Services at UMass Chan Medical School and Anna Whelan MD FACOG; Assistant Professor, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at UMass Memorial Health for a compelling conversation on the systemic challenges and opportunities in caring for individuals living with overweight and obesity. This session will explore how weight stigma—often embedded in medical education and healthcare delivery—impacts patient outcomes, provider attitudes, and institutional practices.
Through the lens of equity and person-centered care, our speakers will unpack the implications of bias, the importance of inclusive language, and strategies for fostering respectful, evidence-based care. Participants will be invited to reflect on how centering marginalized experiences can reshape clinical training and promote healing environments for all body sizes that will lead to advancing dignity, compassion and justice in healthcare. All are welcome!