Board of Directors
Leslie Golden MD, MPH, ABOM Diplomate
Dr. Leslie Golden is a distinguished board-certified family medicine and obesity medicine specialist. With a strong commitment to promoting overall well-being and good health, she guides patients in adopting behavioral changes that lead to lasting positive outcomes.
Dr. Golden's outstanding contributions in the field have earned her the honor of being named a top obesity medicine specialist by Women in Medicine. She is also an esteemed member of the Obesity Medicine Association and holds the prestigious title of ABOM Diplomate.
Passionate about providing comprehensive care, Dr. Golden established her own private practice in rural Wisconsin, catering to patients of all ages. Furthermore, she has launched an online platform called "Weight In Gold," which serves as an educational resource to raise awareness about obesity.
MD, Ross University School of Medicine, WI
MPH, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Residency, Greenville Health System, Greenville, SC
Family and Obesity Medicine Physician
Michael Garren MD FACS, FASMBS
Dr. Michael Garren is a highly accomplished surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery and recognized as a fellow in the prestigious American College of Surgeons. With extensive expertise in the field, he is a distinguished member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Garren specializes in various clinical areas, including minimally invasive bariatric surgery and advanced laparoscopic procedures such as colon, antireflux, and hernia surgery.
Currently serving as the medical director of the UW Health Medical and Surgical Weight Management Program, Dr. Garren plays a pivotal role in providing exceptional care to patients seeking weight management solutions. His dedication to excellence and patient well-being has earned him numerous accolades, including the Best Doctors in America Award in Surgery, Bariatric, and the Madison Magazine Top Docs 2016 Award in Surgery - Bariatric.
MD, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI
Internship, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI
Residency, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI
Clinical Professor of Surgery
Samantha Pabich MD, MPH, ABOM Diplomate
Dr. Pabich is a faculty member in the Division of Endocrinology within the Department of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin and holds the prestigious title of ABOM Diplomate. She is the 2019 recipient of the Johns Hopkins Medicine Pearl M. Stetler Research Fund for Women Physicians. She works with trainees at all three levels, lecturing on obesity and directly teaching about its management. She additionally has provided learning materials on obesity for The Endocrine Society. She acts as a reviewer for several academic journals on diabetes and obesity, and advocates for change in coverage policies by insurance companies and state government related to diabetes and obesity.
Dr. Pabich practices general endocrinology and enjoys working with patients to manage diabetes, osteoporosis, hyperthyroidism, pituitary disease, PCOS, gonadal dysfunction, and adrenal dysfunction. She additionally has a niche interest in obesity management, evaluating patients for pathologic causes of excess body weight, and helping them use evidence-based strategies to reduce their body weight. She is spearheading the development of a multi-disciplinary obesity clinic at UW.
MD - University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
MPH - University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Fellowship in Endocrinology - University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Residency in Internal Medicine - University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI
Endocrinologist and Obesity Medicine Physician