Veronica and Robert C. Atkins Center
of Excellence in Obesity Medicine at Barnes-Jewish
Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine
of Excellence in Obesity Medicine at Barnes-Jewish
Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine
“Obesity is this country’s major health problem. More research
is needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for the
link between obesity and disease, and the best approaches for
prevention and treatment. Toward this end, the Atkins
Foundation provides considerable resources in creative ways to
stimulate innovative research and clinical initiatives in obesity.”
—Samuel Klein, M.D., director,Veronica and Robert C. Atkins Center
of Excellence in Obesity Medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and
Washington University School of Medicine
Washington University School of
Medicine in St. Louis is the site of
two Atkins Foundation firsts. In 2004,
the Foundation awarded $1.5 million
to establish the Dr. Robert C. Atkins
Professor of Medicine and Obesity
—the first endowed chair dedicated
to obesity studies. It is held by Nada
Abumrad, Ph.D., recognized for her
high-profile research in fatty acid
metabolism. Studying the role of
fatty acid transport in obesityassociated
disease, Dr. Abumrad
established a core fat cell laboratory
at the center to assist other faculty
in related investigation.The following year, the Atkins Foundation gave $5 million to launch the Veronica and Robert C. Atkins Center of Excellence in Obesity Medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. The first Atkins-funded center of excellence in the country, it was also the first in a major medical center to form a partnership for new research, clinical, training and community education initiatives in obesity. This unprecedented collaboration is advancing the entire field, as well as improving the health of people living in the St. Louis area, once listed as one of “American’s Fattest Cities” by Men’s Fitness.