Meet The
Arizona Obesity Organization
Governing Board
We are a group of volunteer medical or related professionals with a desire to improve the state of obesity in Arizona.
Doug Maready, MD, DiplABIM, DiplABOM
President
Dr. Maready was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. He trained as an Internal Medicine physician, but his focus on health improvement led him to certify also in Obesity Medicine. He also trained in Lean Management in an effort to learn how to implement best practices. He has worked in the clinic setting as well as the hospital throughout his career. He started Maready Medical in 2017 and later joined his practice with Forte-Well Being--an integrative primary care and obesity practice. He enjoys all activities outdoors and spending time with his wife, three boys, and new baby girl. He is active in the Obesity Medicine Association and in his local medical community, and he is passionate about helping people improve their health.
Chantelle Lessard-Chaudoin DMSC, MPH, PA-C
Vice-President
Chantelle is a board-certified Physician Assistant. She received a B.S. in Health and Physical Education at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, MPH in Community Health Education from California State University of Long Beach, focused on childhood obesity and global health, then worked abroad in Cambodia teaching public health to undergraduate students. She then returned and got an MMS in Physician Assistant Studies at Arcadia University, travelling to Nicaragua and South Africa for training in infectious disease and global health. She then obtained a DMSc at A.T Still University with a research focus on mental health among healthcare personnel. She has been practicing family medicine in Arizona since 2017 with a focus on preventive medicine and chronic care management. She also teaches, currently a professor at Franklin Pierce University's PA program. She is the Co-Founder and Clinical Director for Kinesio Concepts which creates and deploys CME such as AHA BLS for local health professionals and students. In her free time, Chantelle enjoys spending time with her husband Keith, son Atlas, and two yorkies Rose and Chloe.
Jenna Graham, PA-C
Treasurer
Jenna is a dedicated Physician Assistant with a passion for combating obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles. Born and raised in Washington State, she developed an early interest in healthcare and nutrition. Jenna pursued her undergraduate education at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA, where she earned her Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition. After completing her undergraduate studies, Jenna worked as a Registered Dietitian for two years in Phoenix. She then completed the Physician Assistant program at Yale University. She is currently working at Banner Health on the orthopedic surgery team. In her free time Jenna enjoys exploring the outdoors and staying active through hiking and playing tennis. Her enthusiasm for wellness and her commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others are evident both in and out of the clinic.
Casey Hilde, PharmD
Secretary
Casey is a pharmacy leader in obesity medicine with a strong passion for patient care. He obtained his
Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Arizona and has been practicing in Arizona since 2018. He
currently oversees the integration of clinical pharmacists, pharmacist residents, and pharmacy
technicians into internal medicine clinics across Arizona and New Mexico. Casey understands the value of collaborative care in medicine, and realizes that it truly takes a village to improve health outcomes.
He is currently an Adjunct Professor and Preceptor for the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy. He
has a strong desire to educate both clinicians and patients on evidence-based medicine and to improve
the health of his community. In his free time Casey enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two
dogs Phil and Charles Barkley.
Randle House
Director at Large
As the owner and founder of both Metier Pharmacy and Metier Clinical Services, Dr. House seeks to provide the individualized care of days past. Whether it’s primary care, traditional, compounded and veterinary medications, medication therapy management or specialty testing, the goal is to offer residents and visitors a warm, welcoming medical home for almost every need. Dr. House opened Metier Pharmacy in 2016 which has since earned the prestigious Phoenix Magazine Best of the Valley award for five years in a row. Metier Clinical Services opened in Spring of 2023. Prior to these ventures, this second-generation pharmacist led a successful career in the pharmacy industry, owning a successful healthcare consulting company, serving as Vice President of Operations for Avella, Regional Director for BioScrip, Regional Vice President and Director of Acquisitions for Rite Aid, as well as various leadership positions at Eckerd Drug.
Larry Ellingson
Director at Large
Larry lives in Fountain Hills and brings many years of education and experience to the AOO. He holds a BS in Pharmacy from North Dakota State University (NDSU) and an MBA from Babson College. He retired from Eli Lilly in 2001. While there, he was a leader of global diabetes, Director of Pharmaceutical New Product Planning, and other positions. He has been active with numerous organizations including NDSU, Research Park, International Diabetes Federation, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Nurse Practitioners Healthcare Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, and the Diabetes Leadership Council, which he co founded in 2013. He has received numerous awards including the Eli Lilly's President's Award, the Eli Lilly Ellingson Legacy Award (his namesake), the J.K. Lilly Award, NDSU Outstanding Alumni of the Year, the ADA Charles H. Best Medal for Outstanding Service, the prestigious Wendell Mayes Jr. Award, and honorary membership to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. He remains active on several organizational boards including the Diabetes Leadership Council, KNOW Labs, and Emeritus Council of the ADA.
Dylan R. Valenzuela, M.A.
Director at Large
Dylan R. Valenzuela, M.A., is a passionate dietetic medicine specialist (dietitian) with dedication to combating obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles.
He graduated in 2008 with a Bachelors in physiology and kinesiology from Arizona State University. His original passion was orthopedic surgery but he had an opportunity to work in dietetics as a diabetic educator. This would turn out to be the career path that led into being a medical dietitian. By working with patients individually, one on one, he was able to create a difference in accountability to assisting the patients to take control of their health and wellness. In 2008, he established a health and wellness program with a primary care physician which resulted in treating patients with chronic illnesses such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and other obesity related issues. In 2022, he decided to open his own private practice (I CAN Wellness) to continue his passion to educate and counsel patients to improve their health, with a philosophy that would be maintainable and sustainable. His modus operandi (MO), I.C.A.N -I can COMMIT, I can be ACCOUNTABLE, I can begin the NEW me! He continues his research and uses evidence based knowledge which allows for a greater outcome to patients' health. He has been a part of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) since 2012 and is a Director at Large with the Arizona Obesity Organization, advocating for evidence-based approaches to address the obesity epidemic and promote wellness within communities across Arizona.
Dr. Karthik Reddy Donuur MD
Director at Large
Karthik is a dedicated board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. He began his medical journey at Kakatiya Medical College in India, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at Jersey City Medical Center in New Jersey. Currently serving as an Internal Medicine physician at Banner Health in an inpatient setting, Karthik has developed a strong interest in obesity medicine. This passion stems from his experience treating hospitalized patients, many of whom had underlying obesity. Recognizing the critical role weight management plays in overall health, he focuses on educating his patients about effective weight loss strategies, including innovative lifestyle approaches and cutting-edge anti-obesity medications. His goal is to empower individuals to achieve healthier lives through personalized care and evidence-based treatment options.
Jennifer Meyfeldt, MD, DiplABIM, DiplABOM
Director at Large
Dr. Meyfeldt is a primary care physician, who is board certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. She was born and raised in Germany, where she completed medical school before pursuing Internal Medicine residency at Lankenau Medical Center in the Philadelphia area. During residency she discovered her passion for caring for individuals with obesity and subsequently became a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. After 3 years of serving as core faculty in the Internal Medicine residency program at Creighton University Omaha and co-leading the primary care and rural tracks, she joined the University of Arizona, Phoenix in 2024. In her role as Associate Program Director and Continuity Clinic Director, she oversees the ambulatory training of all internal medicine residents. Her goal is to spark passion for obesity management in her residents and to equip them with the necessary insight into the chronic disease of obesity to provide comprehensive care for patients with obesity.
Tarun Bassi
Director at Large
Coming Soon.
Mohan Ramalingam
Director at Large
Coming Soon.
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