Treating Obesity 2026:
The Blackburn Course in Obesity Medicine
- Continuing Education
This course delivers practical strategies to optimize the management of obesity and its many complications, and provides the most up-to-date approaches to obesity prevention and treatment.
- Live Online
This program uses state-of-the-art streaming technology to present sessions online in real time. Participants can attend from any location, and can interact with faculty via live chat.
Additionally, all sessions will be recorded and made available to participants for online through October 17, 2026 (through the end of the ABOM exam dates).
All live streaming and recorded sessions are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and other relevant credits. (Note: Evaluations must be completed within 30 days in order to receive CME credit.)
This is the full course tuition for Treating Obesity 2026; a $100 early registration discount is available.
This course offers three registration options:
- Treating Obesity 2026 (June 8-11)
- Obesity Medicine Board Review (June 7)
- Both Treating Obesity 2026 and Obesity Medicine Board Review (June 7-11)
Discounts apply when you register for both Treating Obesity and the Board Review.
Please view the tables below.
Early Registration Deadline:
Continuing Education
Earn up to:
» 67.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
» 67.50 ABIM MOC points
» 67.50 ANCC contact hours
» 67.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits
» 67.50 ACPE CPE credit hours
» 67.50 ECME Credits®
» 26.50 credits of Risk Management Study
» Commensurate credits through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
» Participation in both Treating Obesity 2026 and the Obesity Medicine Board Review fully satisfies the CME requirement to register for the ABOM certification exam.
4 Days, + optional 1-day Board Review
This 4-day course, which is among the highest-rated Harvard Medical CME courses, presents state-of-the-art strategies for managing your patients with obesity. The course also offers an optional full-day pre-course Obesity Medicne Board Review.
On This Page
Overview
Education to Optimize Your Care of Adult, Adolescent, and Pediatric Patients with Obesity
Treating Obesity 2026: The Blackburn Course in Obesity Medicine is an online course, using live streaming, electronic Q&A, and other remote learning technologies.
Effective treatment of patients with obesity is an important part of modern medical practice. This course delivers practical strategies to optimize the management of obesity and its many complications, and provides the most up-to-date approaches to obesity prevention and treatment.
Highlights of the 2026 program include:
- Update on using the newer GLP-1 based therapies
- Comprehensive evaluation of the patient with obesity
- Precision medicine and dietary approaches to obesity and metabolic disorders
- Medical, endoscopic, and surgical options for the treatment of obesity
- Effective counseling and motivation techniques
- Medical and surgical treatment of children and adolescents with obesity
- Emerging strategies and therapies for genetic obesity
- A guide to virtual care, group visits, private and academic practice models
- Enhancing communication about obesity with patients, referring providers, payers, and the public
- Addressing obesity bias, stigma, and disparities in care
Presented by authorities in medicine, surgery, pediatrics, nutrition, endocrinology, gastroenterology and psychology from the country’s leading obesity treatment centers, this course covers critical topics in the prevention and treatment of obesity and related disorders. It includes didactic lectures and panel discussions to improve participants’ ability to care for patients with obesity. In addition, an Obesity Medicine board review is offered for participants preparing for the American Board of Obesity Medicine board examination.
This course is designed to give health care providers the knowledge to:
- Identify, evaluate and manage patients with high-risk obesity
- Provide lifestyle-based therapies for obesity, including nutritional, physical activity, and behavioral approaches
- Apply effective counseling and behavioral modification techniques
- Apply current pharmacological approaches to the treatment of obesity
- Assess patients for their need and appropriateness for bariatric surgery and determine surgical options
Obesity Medicine Board Review
One day prior to the start of Treating Obesity 2026, on June 7, 2026, we offer a comprehensive one-day review course to help candidates prepare for the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) certification examination. This course is taught by diplomates of the ABOM, and reviews all the major basic, diagnostic and treatment concepts required for the exam, including:
- Pathophysiology of obesity
- Obesity comorbidities
- Pediatric patient management
- Genetic and syndromic obesity
- Nutrition and exercise assessment and intervention
- Intensive lifestyle and behavioral therapy
- Anti-obesity pharmacotherapy
- Bariatric surgery
- Click here for full agenda
Participation in both Treating Obesity 2026 and the Obesity Medicine Board Review fully satisfies the CME requirement to register for the ABOM certification exam.
Discounts apply when attending both the Board Review and Treating Obesity 2026.
360-Degree Education
Patient Care. Reimbursements. Challenging Cases. Global Perspectives.
Fewer than 5% of patients with obesity undergo proper clinical evaluation for this disorder in a clinical setting. Treating Obesity 2026 provides education about obesity, its causes and consequences, and the most effective tools and strategies for its prevention and treatment.
Unique to this program is a 360-degree educational experience, where attendees:
- Hear from authorities in medicine, pediatrics, nutrition, surgery, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and mental health about strategies to optimize care for your patients with obesity
- Learn how to build and maintain a successful Obesity Medicine practice in varied clinical settings, including primary care, multidisciplinary obesity care center, and Obesity Medicine specialty private practice
- Learn about the increasing global burden of obesity-associated disease
- Understand the adverse effect of obesity on the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases related to obesity
- Become more effective at strategic communication with payers, employers, and other policymakers about the benefits and value of targeted obesity treatment
- Get feedback and guidance on your own challenging cases from experienced Obesity Medicine clinicians
- Interact directly with faculty during panel discussions and interactive question and answer sessions
- Prepare for the American Board of Obesity Medicine board examination
In addition to being live streamed, all sessions of the course and the board review will be recorded and placed in the online course library, enabling registrants to view the programs for which they registered at their convenience. Recordings will be available for viewing through October 17, 2026 (the end of the ABOM exam dates). All live streaming and recorded sessions are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and other relevant credits. (Note: Evaluations must be completed within 30 days in order to receive CME credit.)
Developed and Offered By:
Continuing Education courses are developed by faculty from Harvard Medical School's teaching hospitals and accredited by Harvard Medical School. This course is offered by Massachusetts General Hospital.
Who Should Participate
Health care professionals with an interest in the latest approaches to the prevention and treatment of obesity and its complications, including:
- Physicians
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physician Assistants
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Dietitians
- Mental Health Professionals
Schedule
This program is among the highest-rated Harvard Medical School CME courses.
All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.
Please note that program changes/substitutions may be made without notice.
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Obesity Medicine Board Review
This one-day program helps prepare registrants for the ABOM certification exam.
Click here for complete schedule
9:00 am - 7:20 pm
Monday, June 8, 2026
Introduction
Welcome and Introduction
Course Directors
9:00-9:10 am
2026 Blackburn Lecture: State of Obesity in 2026
9:10-10:10 am
Roundtable Discussion with Keynote Speaker
10:10-10:40 am
Break
10:40-11:00 am
Approach to Treatment
Clinical Approach to the Patient with Obesity
11:00-11:40 am
Beyond BMI: Obesity Staging and Guideline-Based Treatment of Obesity
11:40 am-12:20 pm
Body Composition
12:20-1:00 pm
Approach to a Patient with an Eating Disorder
1:00-1:40 pm
Panel Discussion: Approach to Treatment
1:40-2:20 pm
Break
2:20-2:50 pm
Pharmacotherapy
Obesity Pharmacotherapy
2:50-3:30 pm
Combination Treatment for Obesity Management
3:30-4:10 pm
Pharmacodynamics and Medication Dosing in the Patient with Obesity
4:10-4:50 pm
Clinicians as Patients: A Perspective
4:50-5:30 pm
Panel Discussion: Pharmacotherapy
5:30-6:10 pm
Self-Paced Study
Time for self-paced study of any of the pre-recorded sessions, including the following:
Staging, Assessment and Treatment of Obesity
Patient-Centric Treatment of Obesity
Complex Genetic Obesity Syndromes
Patient Case Presentations Highlighting Delivery of Care 1
Patient Case Presentations Highlighting Delivery of Care 2
Patient Case Presentations Highlighting Delivery of Care 3
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Welcome and Introduction Day 2
9:00-9:10 am
Exercise and Dietary Considerations
Key Exercise Recommendations for Weight Loss and Maintenance
9:10-9:50 am
Nutrition and Microbiome
9:50-10:30 am
Time-Restricted Eating
10:30-11:10 am
Dietary Strategies for Weight Loss
11:10-11:50 am
Culinary Medicine Programs
11:50 am-12:30 pm
Panel Discussion: Dietary Considerations
12:30-1:10 pm
Break
1:10-1:40 pm
Individualization of Care
The New Fundamentals of Obesity Care
1:40-2:20 pm
Genetics and the Future of Obesity Treatment
2:20-3:00 pm
Lipodistrophy
3:00-3:40 pm
Panel Discussion: Individualization of Care
3:40-4:20 pm
Break
4:20-4:40 pm
Precision Care
Precision Medical Treatment of Obesity
4:40-5:20 pm
Precision Lifestyle Treatments for Obesity
5:20-6:00 pm
The Future State of Obesity Care
6:00-6:40 pm
Patient Case Presentations Highlighting Precision Delivery of Care
6:40-7:20 pm
Panel Discussion: Precision Care
7:20-8:00 pm
Self-Paced Study
Time for self-paced study of any of the pre-recorded sessions, including the following:
Circadian Influences and Lifestyle Interventions
A Dietitian's Approach to a Patient with Obesity
Tailoring Obesity Care Based on Genetic Differences
Research into Tailoring Obesity Care
Using Technology to Deliver Personalized Metabolic Care
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Welcome and Introduction Day 3
9:00-9:10 am
Models of Delivering Care
Cooperative Integrated and Virtual Care Models
9:10-9:50 am
Delivering Effective Obesity Care in Private Practice
9:50-10:40 am
Integrating Primary Care and Obesity Medicine in an Academic Medical Center
10:40-11:20 am
Multi-Disciplinary Weight Centers
11:20 am-12:00 pm
Group Visit Models
12:00-12:40 pm
Panel Discussion: Models of Delivering Care
12:40-1:20 pm
Break
1:20-1:50 pm
Pediatrics
Assessment of the Pediatric Patient with Obesity
1:50-2:30 pm
Use of Anti-Obesity Medications in Pediatric Patients
2:30-3:10 pm
Bariatric Endoscopy and Surgery in the Pediatric Patient
3:10-3:50 pm
Panel Discussion: Obesity in the Pediatric Population
3:50-4:30 pm
Break
4:30-4:50 pm
Endoscopic and Surgical Approaches to Treating Obesity
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty, POSE, and TORe
4:50-5:30 pm
Gastric Balloons, Transpyloric Shuttle, and Duodenal Resurfacing
5:30-6:10 pm
Update on Bariatric Surgery
6:10-6:50 pm
Nonsurgical Management of the Postbariatric Surgery Patient
6:50-7:30 pm
Panel Discussion: Endoscopic and Surgical Approaches to Treating Obesity
7:30-8:10 pm
Self-Paced Study
Time for self-paced study of any of the pre-recorded sessions, including the following:
Providing Virtual Obesity Care
Optimizing Obesity Care in Private Practice: Strategies for Success
Advancing Obesity Care in Academic Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities
Multi-Disciplinary Weight Center Case Study: Massachusetts General Hospital
Multi-Disciplinary Weight Center Case Study: Geisinger
Multi-Disciplinary Weight Center Case Study: University of Colorado
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Welcome and Introduction Day 4
9:00-9:10 am
Disparities and Stigma in Obesity Care
Addressing Healthcare Disparities in Obesity Treatment
9:10-9:50 am
Ensuring Equal Access to Care for All Patients: A North Carolina Story
9:50-10:30 am
Stigma and Bias in Treating Obesity
10:30-11:10 am
Panel Discussion: Disparities and Stigma
11:10-11:50 am
Break
11:50 am-12:20 pm
Considerations in the Patient with Obesity
The Unbearable Lightness of Weight and Age
12:20-1:00 pm
The Intersection of Metabolic Disease and Mental Health
1:00-1:40 pm
Considerations for the Patient with Obesity Prior to a Procedure (with Patient on GLP-1, Colonoscopy Considerations)
1:40-2:20 pm
Panel Discussion: Considerations in the Patient with Obesity
2:20-3:00 pm
Break
3:00-3:20 pm
Diseases in the Patient with Obesity
Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease
3:20-4:00 pm
Sleep Health and Sleep Apnea
4:00-4:40 pm
Obesity and Cancer
4:40-5:20 pm
Treatment of MAFLD/MASH in the Patient with Obesity
5:20-6:00 pm
Obesity and Diabetes
6:00-6:40 pm
Panel Discussion: Diseases
6:40-7:20 pm
Self-Paced Study
Time for self-paced study of any of the pre-recorded sessions, including the following:
Caring for All Patients
Equity in Obesity Care
Diagnosis and Staging of MAFLD/MASH
Optimized for Remote Education
The 2026 program has been enhanced for distance learning. In addition to being live streamed, all sessions will include live question and answer discussions.
All sessions and Q & A discussions will be recorded and made available to participants of each program for online viewing through October 17, 2026 (the end of the ABOM exam dates). This on-demand archive will permit those in different time zones or who have scheduling conflicts to avoid missing out on any sessions that are important to them. In addition, participants can review sessions to reinforce key learning points.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Apply effective patient counseling and behavior modification techniques as well as support for productive lifestyle change
- Determine the mechanism of action and most effective use of current and emerging pharmacological and medical device-based treatments of obesity
- Assess patients for their need and appropriateness for bariatric surgery, help guide them to appropriate surgical options, and effectively manage their post-operative care
- Incorporate strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity in pediatric populations
- Apply a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity and its metabolic consequences to improve the care of patients with these disorders
- Address patients with obesity with a greater sensitivity and understanding of the causes, challenges, frustrations, and opportunities for their effective treatment
- Develop and further refine clinical approaches to the patient with obesity
- Identify, evaluate, and manage high-risk patient populations
- Assess patients for their need and appropriateness for lifestyle-based therapies for obesity, including dietary manipulation, optimizing physical activity, stress reduction, improved sleep health, and circadian rhythm preservation
Those participants enrolled in the board review portion of the course will be able to:
- Consolidate knowledge of basic and clinical information within Obesity Medicine in order to comprehensively diagnose and treat patients
- Optimize their opportunity to pass the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) subspecialty examination
Faculty
Course Director
Amandeep Singh
MD, PhD
- Bariatric Endoscopy and Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Course Co-Director
Angela Fitch
MD, FACP, MFOMA, DABOM
- Past President, Obesity Medicine Association
- Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, knownwell
2026 faculty list coming soon.
2026 faculty list coming soon.
Course Fees
Fee Disclaimer
Registrations for Harvard Medical School CME programs are made via our secure online registration system. At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.
Upon receipt of your paid registration, an email confirmation will be sent to you. Be sure to include an email address that you check frequently. Your email address is used for critical information, including registration confirmation, evaluation, and certificate.
Please review the cancellation policy.
Early Registration Deadline:
| Role | Course Fee |
|---|
Treating Obesity 2026 and the Obesity Medicine Board Review are offered separately and as a pair, with a discount if you choose to attend both programs. See the table below for pricing:
| Course Fee | Register on or before April 30, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| June 8–11 Treating Obesity 2026 | $1,295 | $1,195 |
| June 7 Obesity Medicine Board Review | $495 | $495 |
| June 7–11 Treating Obesity 2026 & Obesity Medicine Board Review | $1,495 | $1,395 |
All attendees will receive an electronic syllabus that includes all of the course materials for their chosen programs.
All sessions will be recorded as they are live streamed and placed in the online course video library, so that registrants can review them at their convenience. The video library will be available through October 17, 2026 (the end of the ABOM exam dates).
Accreditation
The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 67.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- Treating Obesity 2026 (June 8–11): 57.00 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM
- Board Review (June 7): 10.50 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM
Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 67.50 ANCC contact hours.
Harvard Medical School has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 67.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Harvard Medical School designates this knowledge-based activity for a maximum of 67.50 hours. Credit will be provided to NABP CPE Monitor within 60 days after the activity completion. UAN JA0000216-0000-26-003-L01-P.
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 67.50 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC points
This activity meets the criteria of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine for 26.50 credits of Risk Management Study. Please check your individual state licensing board requirements before claiming these credits.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the European Union of Medical Specialties website.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.