Our Programs - Message From the Medical Director

John Hernried, MD - OTC Medical Director

John Hernried, M.D., F.A.C.P.

If you're considering a weight loss program, let me start by commending you on taking the first step toward improving your health. Here at OTC, I love being part of a team that will help you lose and maintain your weight. It's such a thrill when I can tell you, "Your blood pressure is like a teenager's again, you can now stop taking blood pressure pills." I look forward to hearing that you're training for a 5K run (perhaps something you never even considered before now) or going to the gym regularly, or even enjoying a walk around your neighborhood for the first time in many years.

But, you and I both know challenges lie ahead and I look forward to helping you with them. Part of my job is helping you realize that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed but not cured. "Perfection" in managing your weight is not the goal. Since perfection is unrealistic, OTC is here to help you "get back on track or start all over". This might sound hard, so I try to offer helpful tips to my patients such as:

Give us a call (at any hour) the next time you are stressed and feel like eating.
Let's make a plan together to anticipate difficult situations.
How about meeting with our exercise physiologist to determine a better exercise for you?
The medication you are currently taking for diabetes is known to cause weight gain. Let's try another one that doesn't cause hunger and weight gain.
I am so glad you came back now before you regained more weight. Being successful is about knowing when to ask for help.

I hope you will take advantage of OTC's experienced staff. We're all aware of the emotional and physical barriers you face and we're eager to help you acquire the skills necessary to overcome them so you too can "Rediscover Your Future".