Dr. Nirali Patel, a board-certified internal medicine physician at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton Practice, recently earned board certification in obesity medicine, increasing the number of physicians in the network who are prepared to better help patients manage obesity, its many comorbidities, and to lose weight. Patel is accepting adult patients at the primary care practice at 501 S. Washington Ave.

A Scranton resident, Patel is also a core faculty member for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency program. She earned her medical degree from Medical University of Lublin, Poland, and completed her internal medicine residency and geriatrics fellowship training at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education.

Obesity is one of the nation’s most prevalent chronic diseases and is associated with many of the leading causes of preventable, premature death. The condition is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, certain cancers, and many additional comorbidities. The certification from the American Board of Obesity Medicine gives physicians the insights and tools to help patients who are struggling with the complex issue of obesity.

Drs. Linda Thomas-Hemak, Jumee Barooah, and Manju Mary Thomas are also board-certified in obesity medicine and see patients at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. In addition, Barooah accepts patients at the Scranton Practice.

For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health and its network of primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.