Optional Online Pre-Course Workshops
Mind Body Approaches to Weight Management
Under the direction of Chika Anekwe, MD, MPH and Shalu Ramchandani, MD
Wednesday, October 29, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
ONLINE, LIVE STREAMING
Weight regulation involves intricate biological and physiological processes. Traditional methods for managing weight encompass advocating for physical activity, balanced nutrition, pharmacotherapy, and surgical interventions for eligible individuals. This workshop delves into the myriad ways in which chronic stress can influence weight regulation. Psychosocial stress, often underestimated, significantly affects self-care practices, thereby predisposing individuals to noncommunicable diseases such as obesity. Mind Body Medicine uses evidence-based effects of thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, and emotions to promote health and reduce stress.
In this course, you will explore:
- Epidemiological and pathophysiological evidence regarding obesity as a chronic disease and the mechanisms underlying body weight regulation.
- Biological targets and mechanisms involved in pharmacotherapeutic approaches to treating obesity.
- The significance of regular physical activity, nutritious diet, and restorative sleep in weight regulation.
- The detrimental effects of chronic stress on metabolism and weight regulation, manifested through maladaptive behaviors, altered self-regulation, and physiological changes.
- Personal testimonials illustrating the impact of the Benson Henry Institute’s Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) Program on patients’ ability to enhance their self-care practices.
Schedule: Weight Management
Live Streaming in US Eastern Daylight Time
Mind Body Approaches to Weight Management | |
Overview of Obesity: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacotherapy, and MedicationsDr. Chika Anekwe | 9:00-9:50 am |
Optimizing Weight Management: The Role of Physical Activity, Sleep, and NutritionDr. Shalu Ramchandani | 9:50-10:40 am |
| Break | 10:40-10:50 am |
Unpacking the Weight: How Chronic Stress Fuels Obesity and Mind-Body Strategies Fight BackPeg Baim, MS, NP | 10:50-11:30 am |
Panel Discussion: Patients’ Perspectives on Mind Body Techniques for Self-CareCourse Faculty | 11:30 am-12:00 pm |
Group Medical Visits to Guide Patients to Healthier Lifestyle Behaviors
Under the direction of Jacob Mirsky, MD, FACLM
Wednesday, October 29, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
ONLINE, LIVE STREAMING
Group medical visits—both in-office and online—are becoming increasingly popular tools in primary care and specialty practices to help patients make healthy lifestyle changes for:
- Symptom and chronic disease management
- Disease prevention
This special online pre-course workshop provides a practical, evidence-based introduction to group medical visits. Unique to this program is its immersive, fast-paced, 360-degree educational experience. You will learn about how group medical visits can promote health from four critical perspectives:
- Clinical
- Patient
- Provider
- Practice
EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Clinical Perspectives
- Types of conditions that are appropriate for group medical visits
- Considerations of population and cultural factors in running group medical visits
- Impact of group medical visits on patient outcomes
- Connection between stress and chronic conditions and its role of group medical visit
Patient Perspectives
- What a group visit looks like for a patient
- Patient perspectives on group medical visits
- Strategies for encouraging patients to join group medical visits
Provider Perspectives
- How a provider can run group medical visits in practice
- Impact of group medical visits on provider satisfaction and burnout
Practice Perspectives
- Length and structure of a group visit
- Strategies for training providers to run group medical visits
- Nuts and bolts of billing and documentation
- Staffing needed to support group medical visits
- Resources and references
Schedule: Group Visits
Live Streaming in US Eastern Daylight Time
Group Medical Visits to Guide Patients to Healthier Lifestyle Behaviors | |
Welcome and History of Group Medical VisitsDr. Jacob Mirsky | 1:00-1:25 pm |
Clinical Considerations and Benefits for Putting Group Medical Visits into PracticeDrs. Jacob Mirsky and Amy Comander | 1:25-2:00 pm |
Administration and Billing of Group Medical VisitsAnna Marie Baggett | 2:00-2:15 pm |
| Break | 2:15-2:30 pm |
Virtual Group Medical Visits in the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Healthy Lifestyle Program: Patient and Provider PerspectivesDrs. Jacob Mirsky and Chin Ho Fung | 2:30-2:55 pm |
Logistics and Tips for Running a Group Medical VisitDr. Katherine Rosa | 2:55-3:10 pm |
Q&A and Panel Discussion: Invaluable Lessons Learned Through Our Experience of Group Medical Visits Across MGHCourse Faculty | 3:10-4:00 pm |
PLEASE NOTE
- These programs will be recorded and made available online for registrants of each pre-course workshop to view at their convenience for 60 days
- These online pre-course workshops are only available to participants of THE HERBERT BENSON, MD COURSE in MIND BODY MEDICINE (October 30–November 1, 2025)
- To optimize the value of these workshops for each participant, registrations will be limited and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis
- To be assured a place in either program, early registration is advised
Workshop Directors
Chika V. Anekwe
MD, MPH
- Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
- Diplomate, American Board of Obesity Medicine
- Preventive Medicine and Obesity Medicine Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital
- President and Founder, New England Obesity Society
- Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
- Diplomate, American Board of Obesity Medicine
- Staff Physician, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
Jacob Mirsky
MD, FACLM
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
- Staff Physician, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine
- Medical Director, Division of General Internal Medicine Healthy Lifestyle Program, Massachusetts General Hospital