Obesity Management Clinic at Decatur County Hospital Begins Regular Services

Decatur County Hospital opened a recurring Obesity Management Clinic in mid December, with sessions listed on December 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2025. The program is led by Elizabeth Libby Allen, ARNP, FNP, and is designed to provide individualized weight loss care to patients across the county. The clinic’s schedule and enrollment information are available on the hospital web page at decaturcountyhospital.org/medical-weight-loss/ and patients are directed to call the outpatient clinic number listed on that site to start treatment.

The clinic offers a mix of lifestyle counseling, medication review, and referrals to registered dietitians, and it works closely with other specialty clinics including endocrinology, orthopedics and cardiology. Program materials outline the clinic goals, identify common risk factors linked to obesity, and describe coordination with local resources such as the hospital laboratory for testing and the specialty referral network to support comprehensive care.

For local residents, the clinic represents a tangible expansion of specialty access within Decatur County. By centralizing initial assessment, counseling and referrals in one outpatient setting, the hospital aims to shorten the time patients spend navigating separate systems, and to provide continuity for people managing obesity related conditions. That coordination is especially significant for individuals with concurrent heart, bone or metabolic conditions who require input from multiple specialists.

Public health implications are broad. Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic illness and health care utilization, and access to structured management programs can reduce complications and improve long term outcomes. The clinic’s integration with local laboratory services and specialty teams also highlights the role of rural hospitals in building care pathways that reduce travel and administrative barriers for patients.

As the clinic moves beyond the initial dates in mid December, hospital leaders say ongoing sessions will continue to be scheduled through the end of the calendar period listed on the clinic calendar. Patients and caregivers seeking to enroll or to learn more may use the hospital appointment link at the clinic web page or call the outpatient clinic phone number posted there.