The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) is taking a bold step forward in addressing obesity, a complex disease, with the addition of Dr. Andrea M. Stark, DO, FACP, to its Department of Internal Medicine.

An accomplished researcher, author, educator, lecturer, and mentor, Stark brings a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to care that reflects the latest advances in the field.

"There are fewer than 8,000 physicians in the U.S. board-certified in obesity medicine, despite the fact that over 40% of adults live with obesity," said Stark, who sees patients at two UTMB Health clinics in League City. "I pursued this field so that I could offer evidence-based, compassionate care."

Since arriving at UTMB Health this summer, Stark has been committed to establishing a practice that specializes in treating patients with obesity, emphasizing personalized care that acknowledges each individual's unique experience and needs.

"My training entailed rigorous clinical exposure to obesity medicine treatments-both FDA-approved treatments and clinical research trials-in addition to multispecialty clinical rotations," she said. "These rotations included diverse specialties such as bariatric surgery, nutrition, exercise physiology, sleep medicine, endocrinology, and eating disorder psychology, providing a comprehensive foundation in obesity care."

Stark earned her doctor of osteopathic medicine from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her internal medicine residency, including a year as chief resident, at West Virginia University-Charleston/Charleston Area Medical Center. She relocated to the Houston area to begin her obesity medicine fellowship at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

After completing her fellowship, Stark was inspired to join UTMB Health by the institution's proactive approach to health, including its 2024 designation as a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) Center of Excellence, under the leadership of Dr. Sarah Samreen.

"Reading about this work and knowing that there is a multidisciplinary team working together to help patients battling the disease of obesity, it made me excited to advance these efforts," Stark says. "The first thing we consider for every patient is always lifestyle modification … But then we may look at other interventions, including medical and surgical options. There are a number of factors that determine the right path, and no two patients are exactly alike."

These factors include their body mass index (BMI) and comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, GERD, fatty liver disease, and osteoarthritis, as well as the patient's lifestyle and history of previous weight loss attempts.

The clinic has a licensed professional counselor on staff to support patients' mental health through their weight loss journeys. Studies have shown that mental health care is foundational to safe, effective, and sustainable weight loss treatment - ensuring patients are emotionally prepared, less likely to experience complications, and supported in long-term behavior change.

Stark emphasizes that patients choose to address obesity for a wide range of deeply personal and medical reasons. For many, the decision is not solely about weight, but about reclaiming their health, improving their quality of life, and preparing for other medical procedures that may be safer or more effective once obesity is managed.

"Obesity is a complex, chronic disease," she says. "Not a personal failure."

For an appointment, call 800-917-8906 or schedule online.