Program Description: 

The APC Lecture Series is designed to enhance clinician competence, improve performance, and positively impact patient outcomes. Participants will gain competence by applying evidence-based guidelines and introducing them into day-to-day practice. The series promotes a culture of continuous improvement, peer-to-peer education, and patient-centered practice that integrates safety, quality, and best practices into daily clinical workflows.

Target audience: 
  • Physicians
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Physician Assistant
Learning objectives: 
Participants who engage in this educational intervention will be able to:
  • Analyze the biologic mechanisms—specifically metabolic adaptation and the defense of body weight—that contribute to obesity and weight regain following weight loss to guide patient expectations.
  • Evaluate how environmental, behavioral, metabolic, sleep, mental health, and medication-related factors drive the development and persistence of obesity during patient assessments.
  • Apply a structured clinical framework during patient evaluations to systematically assess obesity phenotypes, related complications, treatment barriers, and contraindications to therapy.
  • Compare the clinical efficacy, indications, and mechanisms of lifestyle interventions, anti-obesity pharmacotherapies (including incretin-based and off-label strategies), and metabolic/bariatric surgery to determine the most appropriate treatment pathways.
  • Design individualized, evidence-based obesity treatment plans that incorporate strategic medication selection, titration and maintenance schedules, referral pathways, and long-term follow-up workflows.
Faculty & credentials: 
Activity Director(s):
Sara Zuiches, PA-C
ThedaCare
 
Planning Committee:
Blair Rathjen, PA-C
ThedaCare
 
Presenter:
Benjamin Duffy, DO
ThedaCare
 
 
In accordance with the ACCME® Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, Standard 3, all persons in control of content must disclose any relevant financial relationships. It is the policy of the Medical College of Wisconsin to identify, mitigate and disclose the absence or presence of all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies held by the speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this accredited continuing education. The following in control of content had no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 
  • Sara Zuiches
  • Blair Rathjen
  • Benjamin Duffy

Contact

Name: 
Kelly Johnson
Email: 
[email protected]

ACCME Accreditation Statement:
The Medical College of Wisconsin is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA Credit Designation Statement:
The Medical College of Wisconsin designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Hours of Participation for Allied Health Care Professionals:
The Medical College of Wisconsin designates this activity for up to 1.00 hours of participation for continuing education for allied health professionals.

Session date: 
08/14/2026 - 9:45am to 10:30am CDT
Location: 
Encircle Health
2500 E. Capitol Drive
3rd Floor Conference Room
Appleton, WI 54911
United States
See map: Google Maps
Add to calendar: 
  • 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
    AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
  • 0.75 Hours of Participation
    Hours of Participation credit.
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