PENNSYLVANIA
CARLISLE
Lisa Hardy, Nurse Practitioner
Spring Road Family Practice
1929 Spring Road
Carlisle, Pennsylvania (about 20 minutes from Harrisburg)
She's wonderful!
CAMP HILL
Faith Daggs, M.D., OB/Gyn
Center for Womens Health
423 N 21st St Suite 200
(717) 763-9880
Camp Hill, PA 17011
CENTER CITY
Pamela S. Hinden, LSW, Psychotherapy and Career Counseling
See main entry under Philadelphia.
EAST PETERSBURG
Elizabeth Sigmund, CRNP
East Petersburg Family Medicine
5665 Main Street
East Petersburg, PA 17520
(717) 569-7011
She is superb, and has done wonders with my physical and mental
health. She respects that I don't want to be weighed, and we
have not once discussed my weight. She has changed my entire
outlook on doctors.
HARRISBURG
Mark P.Holencik (pronounced Holenchek) D.O., Orthopedic Surgeon
Arlington Orthopedic Associates
805 Sir Thomas Court
Harrisburg, Pa
phone:717-652-9555
Dr. Holencik is not only fat friendly, he is people friendly.
I have had 5 major orthopedic surgical procedures between the
fall of 1991 and December 1996, all of which he did, including
back surgery. The first procedure was arthroscopic knee surgery
for a torn cartilage and removal of bone fragments. He said
that although losing weight does have some benefit for arthritic
joints, I could deal with that afterward if I so chose, and if
I didn't that was fine too, as long as I was willing to do
some post-operative excercises to improve the mobility of my
knee. I had a lumbar disc that needed to be removed. When he
saw my MRI, he told me that my back problems were largely due
to a congenital birth defect and that whether or not I was fat, I
would have had the same problem. I have always been treated
well by Dr.Holencik and all the office staff at Arlington
Orthopedics. I have been seen by the physiatrist and a neurologist
in the group, and they were very considerate; my weight was
never a topic. The only drawback is that he is EXTREMLY busy.
-- Crabbyarab@aol.com
GERMANTOWN
Pamela S. Hinden, LSW, Psychotherapy and Career Counseling
See main entry under Philadelphia.
LANCASTER
Rodney E. Brenneman, MD
Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster
http://www.fixbones.com/
(717) 299-4871
170 North Pointe Blvd.
Lancaster, PA 17601
The group also has offices in Willow Street and Manheim, PA.
He has not once mentioned my weight to me, even though it might
have been a factor in how severe my break is.
LEWISBURG
Russell Stankiewicz, OB/GYN
Fred Teichman, OB/GYN
OB/GYN Associates of Lewisburg
3 Hospital Dr, Suite 312,
Lewisburg, PA 17837
570-523-8700.
Due to frequent moves, I've used 3 different OB/GYN's during my
pregnancies & for routine care. Some of the care I received at
other places was very biased- I felt uncomfortable about rude &
hurtful comments made by doctors & their staffs. The contrast
between them and Drs Stankiewicz & Teichman couldn't be more
striking. Both doctors and ALL staff members have been nothing
but supportive during my current pregnancy. I used to dread
going to the OB/GYN, but now I look forward to it because I've
been treated with respect, courtesy & friendship during my
entire pregnancy. I highly recommend their practice. As an
overweight woman I am somewhat used to the bias you tend to
encounter, but my visits to OB/GYN Associates of Lewisburg have
been so wonderful that I feel I must let all overweight women in
this area know about them. -- Tracy Seebold
MACUNGIE
MaryAnne Freeman-Brndjar, DO, PC
4 W Main St Macungie, PA 18062
(610) 820-0575
Fantastic OB/GYN - delivered both of my kids C-section at over
300lbs and has never once mentioned my weight. I love her.
PHILADELPHIA
Kelly Bliss M.Ed., Psychotherapist/Self-care
Self-acceptance, Body Image Issues, Diet induced disassociation
P.O. Pox 572 Lansdowne, PA (Just west of Philadelphia)
I 'see' most of my clients by phone
Toll Free 877-KellyBliss (877-535-5925)
plus size fitness videos
Self-referred.
I promote self-care and self-acceptance. I teach healthy living
INDEPENDENT OF WEIGHT! As a very active member of NAAFA, I
practice size-accepting values. For those who visit my office I
have supersized seats, a ramp, restroom facilities designed for
large and very large people, and fat positive art/literature. I
make my services available at a reasonable fee by phone and on
the internet. My therapeutic techniques are a blend of common
sense, skilled listening, and empathy. My motto: "Together we
can work it out!" My clients have taught me such hope as I see
them improve their lives. Hope is contagious. -- Submitted by
Kelly Bliss in order to help more people
Kelly Bliss also produces plus size fitness videos with a focus on
self-acceptance and self-care. Exercises can be done standing, sitting, or reclining.
Frances Bonds-White, Ed.D., Licensed Psychologist
1601 Walnut Street
Suite 706, The Medical Arts Building
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Telephone: 215-735-4393, #1
E-mail: Fbondswhiteatwork@gmail.com
Insurance accepted: Independence Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna,
Cigna, United Health Care, United Behavioral Health
Self-referred.
I do not believe that weight should be the defining issue in a
person's life. The goal of therapy is to be able to achieve a
sense of satisfaction with one's life based on self awareness
and self understanding of feelings, thoughts, beliefs, etc. My
professional focus is on personal exploration. If a client has
a specific problem they wish to focus on, I teach problem
solving techniques. If a potential client has questions, they
can contact me by e-mail.
Mary Anne Clairmont, Registered Dietitian & Nutritionist
TAKE TWO NUTRITION
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
610-941-9429
610-941-9995 fax
fse452@erols.com
Self-referred.
Home nutrition counseling in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Health is not about weight. It is about a way of life which
includes habits and practices that promote good health. I firmly
believe in the "Non-Dieting" theory of eating. Changes in eating
habits and physical activity are usually the keys to improving
the health of my clients who are sent by physicians to me to
"lose weight" or "go on a diet." If you have high lipids, we
work to get the lipids down. If you have fatigue, we work to
promote more energy. If you binge, we work to free you from
binge behavior. I consistently remind physicians that the goals
we are seeking for the client may NOT necessarily include weight
loss. I am proactive on Body Image issues for women and men.
Pamela S. Hinden, LSW, Psychotherapy and Career Counseling
Philadelphia, PA with offices in Germantown and Center City
215-991-9928
www.pamhinden.com
Self-referred.
I am a fat, size positive psychotherapist and career counselor
in private practice. I am a licensed social worker with
additional training in Gestalt and Feminist Therapy, providing
psychotherapy for individuals, couples and groups, and career
counseling for individuals and groups. I also lead workshops
for psychotherapists on using a size accepting, health at any
size perspective in their work with fat clients. A member of
the original "FATSO - Fat Sisters Organizing," a fat activist
group in Washington DC in the early 1980s, size acceptance is an
issue I have always been passionate about. My work with fat
clients is geared to helping people develop stronger
self-esteem, better coping skills for living in a fat-hating
world, and a clearer picture of the life they want to live and
how to make that happen.
Hope Honig, DO
Honig Family Practice
1805 So. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
215-467-7666
She has always been fat friendly to me. I have gone to her for
many years, and my husband goes to her husband Dr. Peter Honig
(they are a husband and wife doctor team who share an office.)
They are on a first name basis with patients, usually known as
Dr. Hope and Dr. Pete. I do not know if Dr Hope is fat friendly
with everyone, but NOT ONCE did she ever mention my weight as a
negative or positive thing. I was 290 lbs at my biggest, and yet
she never said anything. Hope spends a lot of time with patients
and is very chatty and friendly. I once asked her why she never
addressed my size, and she said its because she knew that I
researched things on the internet, and that if I really wanted
to drop pounds, I'd figure out how. She also said she knew my
dad always bugged me about my weight, and she did not want to
add to that. She also knew my mom was a lifelong dieter, so she
figured I'd already been hit over the head (so to speak) with
weight issues. Neither Dr Pete nor Dr Hope are heavy people
themselves. -- "Zaftig Goddess Anita"
Paul Lotke, orthopedic surgeon
The University of Pennsylvania Health System
http://www.med.upenn.edu/orth/fac/lotk.htm
Philadelphia, PA
About 10 years ago, a 300 lb. acquaintance of mine finally found
an orthopedic surgeon who would do her desperately needed hip
and knee surgery. For the 10 previous years, she had suffered
terrible pain because no other surgeon would operate on her
until she lost weight. He had an excellent reputation.
Apparently, he was the only highly regarded surgeon in the
Philadelphia area, at that time, who would operate on people of
size. This woman discussed weight and surgery very openly with
Dr. Lotke and his associate. She detected no fat prejudice. He
was a marvelous surgeon and he was also extremely kind to her.
Recovery from her surgeries went very well. The return of
mobility and the relief from pain were incredible. Knee surgery
seems to be his specialty. He did knees and hips for my
acquaintance over several years.
Karen Smith, MSS, LCSW
Philadelphia, PA
http://www.fullliving.com/index.html
Karen has been my therapist for the better part of 8 years. I
sought her out explicitly because hers was a fat and queer
positive practice. No matter what I've brought to the table
-- my fat activist work, struggles with graining weight despite
fat positive politics, my queerness, involvement with kink or
poly relationships, (and so forth) -- Karen has been fully
supportive and has helped me to develop as a person.
PHILIPSBURG
Roy Pazmino, OB/GYN
Philipsburg, Pa.
He also has offices in Coalport and Tipton Pa. (Central Pa)
When I started seeing him I was 296 lbs. I sought treatment for
infertility. He never once mentioned my weight as a problem.
When I did get pregnant I was 283lbs. He suggested I gain no
more than 25lbs. When I was actually losing weight he encouraged
me to eat better and try to gain more. He has been respectful
of my weight, not making an issue of it, but answering my weight
related questions honestly.
PITTSBURGH
Century Medical, women's health services
5500 Corporate Drive
Suite 240
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
412.369.8000
Four other locations. See http://www.wpahs.org/locations/century-medical-associates
I have had multiple experiences with two docs from this practice
that I feel are fat friendly:
1) Dr. Dina DiCenzo
2)Dr. Marie Udrea
Both of these female docs took care of me while I was pregnant
with my son. They were both caring and compassionate and
treated me with respect and dignity. I was never lectured about
my weight. I have continued to go there for routine
gynecological exams and care for the past five years.
Conversely, I would steer clear of Dr. Rowland, who also works
in this practice. -- Selina K. Boyles
Sabina Doroski, Internist
Fatigati-Nalin Associates
Pittsburgh, PA
343-1770 in Mt. Lebanon and 221-3377 in Pittsburgh.
She's been pretty helpful and doesn't nag. In general, the folks
at Fatigati-Nalin don't focus on weight, but they will talk to
you about what you eat if your blood tests indicate high
cholesterol. -- Recommendation from lmann@city-net.com
Shami Goyal, MD, Family Medicine/Primary Care
UPMC Mathilda Theiss Health Center
373 Burrows Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-383-1550
Dr Goyal's practice is a University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center-run federally qualified health center which provides
lower cost for uninsured, underinsured and lower income people
(though the practice is open to all and accepts many insurance
plans). As such, she's seeing a predominantly minority
population with a lot of the chronic problems which go along
with being medically underserved and living without financial
resources. Consequently, her practice focus is on treating the
concerns that arise from patient complaints and diagnostic
findings. The practice nurses and techs are extremely kind,
thoughtful and nonjudgmental. You are not forced to be weighed
at every visit (they do ask at your intake appointment) and you
don't have to see/hear your weight if you don't want to. Dr.
Goyal focuses on having and using health information to improve
and maintain wellbeing. She'll discuss and refer for weight loss
when asked but does not suggest it or recommend it as a matter
of course, even to very fat patients, instead asking how
patients feel about how and what they eat, (since many are food
insecure) and their exercise and fitness and providing
information based on their answers. At no time has she or her
staff made me feel that my body was inherently problematic
flawed, diseased or doomed because of its size, which has
occurred with every other provider I've had. Waiting room chairs
have arms but are acceptable for me for a typical wait and I'm
over 400 lbs. Exam rooms have many sizes of blood pressure cuffs
and nurses simply choose as needed. Large size gowns are
available and offered without comment. Staff nonjudgmentally
provide assistance for patients to climb up onto exam tables.
Mary Korytkowski, Endocrinology [specializing in diabetes]
UPMC Center for Diabetes & Endrocrinology, Falk building,
Pittsburgh, Pa 15213
[Removed - the person who submitted this listing reported that
this doctor is no longer fat-friendly; e-mail me for details]
West Penn Family Practice
Pittsburgh [Squirrel Hill], PA
(412)421-3500
The doctors who founded the place have a fat-friendly attitude,
and they encourage the residents who work there to at least be
fat-tolerant, but not all of the staff doctors follow the rule.
I nearly lost my leg due to staff doctor who used her bias
against my size to repeatedly mis-diagnose me. On the other
hand, they have large size gowns and large b/p cuffs and lots of
chairs without arms, and they won't bug you to get weighed once
they put in your chart that you don't do scales. Your Mileage
May Vary. -- moose+@cmu.edu
WEST CHESTER
Lise E. Karpel, MS, RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian, Licensed Nutritionist
West Chester, PA 19380
(within driving distance of Philadelphia and Lancaster)
(484) 883-4589
Lise13136@aol.com
Self-referred.
I am a masters' level registered dietitian with experience in
weight management as well as management of hyperlipidemias and
hypertension. My own personal experiences with weight gain,
weight loss as well as recovery from binge-eating
disorder/bulimia helps me empathize with my clients' experience.
I applaud the great courage it takes to address food issues. All
clients, of whatever size, are welcome to come see me. Larger
people can achieve better health with good nutrition, regardless
of their weight. Clients of size deserve respect, efficient
service and high quality of care. I am available for private
one-on-one consult in my home, a client's home or my office. I
can also provide email and phone support for reasonable fees.
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