Welcome

A little about me

I grew up in the United States and did my medical training there. Along the way I married a Newfoundlander, which drew me north, and we eventually settled in Nova Scotia with our three children.

Most of my weeks outside the clinic are spent at their activities: Irish dance, gymnastics, and volleyball. When I find time of my own, I run, spend summer days at Kejimkujik, and travel when I can.

How I think about obesity care

It is a real pleasure to care for people living with a condition that is so often misunderstood, by society and, just as often, by the people who live with it. That is why I think the first step is simply understanding what obesity actually is. That understanding can shift how you feel about yourself, and it opens the door to treatments that have strong evidence behind them.

Obesity is a real, chronic, complex, and relapsing disease, and we have three main ways to treat it: behaviour change, medical therapy, and, for some people, bariatric surgery. We will work out together which combination fits your health and your goals.

Where to start

There is a fair bit here, and you do not need to read all of it before we meet. The first two below are the best place to begin; the others are there when they become useful to you.

If you have private insurance

Two of the most effective medications are Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide). If you have private drug coverage, it is worth asking your plan whether either is covered before your visit. Your insurer will usually ask for a Drug Identification Number (DIN). The DIN for the full maintenance dose of each is below; if you are still building up to it, your pharmacist can give you the exact one for your current dose.

These numbers identify the product to your insurer. They are not a prescription, and coverage decisions rest with your plan.

There is no need to prepare anything special. Come as you are, bring your questions, and I look forward to meeting you at your consultation.