Our History & Founding Members

AWSIM began in 2024 from a need shared by weight-inclusive physicians: a professional home where clinicians could find community, mentorship, education, and reliable resources without treating body size as a disease. Dr. Lisa Erlanger convened colleagues who recognized that isolated practitioners and informal networks were not enough to create lasting change in medicine. Together, they formed the Association for Weight and Size Inclusive Medicine as an international organization committed to reducing health disparities, challenging weight stigma, and advancing compassionate, evidence-based care for patients of all sizes. During its founding year, AWSIM established its mission, vision, and guiding principles, welcomed its first members, and began developing the educational programs, professional relationships, and organizational infrastructure needed to strengthen weight-inclusive medicine as a field.

In 2025, AWSIM moved from its founding vision into active community building and programming. The organization expanded opportunities for clinicians to learn, collaborate, and connect through educational events and member engagement. AWSIM also began a formal collaboration with Medical Students for Size Inclusivity, linking students and physicians across stages of training and extending opportunities for mentorship, advocacy, and shared projects. In October, AWSIM hosted its inaugural Fall Symposium, “Building Community: Supporting Patients and Each Other,” bringing together healthcare professionals, educators, advocates, and students for presentations, panel discussions, and networking. These efforts strengthened AWSIM’s role as a professional home for weight-inclusive medicine and laid the groundwork for structured continuing education, clinical resources, leadership development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

In 2026, AWSIM entered a new phase of growth, expanding its educational programming, member community, and public resources. The organization launched recurring Member Rounds, CME-accredited learning opportunities, clinical education series, newsletters, and a growing library of weight-inclusive tools. In May, AWSIM held its first Annual Scientific & Member Assembly, creating a dedicated forum for research, clinical learning, interdisciplinary exchange, and member governance. AWSIM also strengthened its student partnerships, broadened access through free and reduced membership options, and created new opportunities for clinicians, researchers, educators, and advocates to work together. Through this growing infrastructure, AWSIM is building a sustainable professional community capable of advancing evidence-based, equitable, and patient-centered care across medical education, clinical practice, research, and health systems.