MBA Business Spotlight: Meet Teona Maghlakelidze
This spotlight series is from The Midland Business Alliance.
The Midland Business Alliance is excited to continue our business profile series by spotlighting Dr. Teona Maghlakelidze, MD, ABOM Diplomate, FACP, president, and co-founder of the Obesity Medicine & Metabolic Wellness Center. Dr. Teona’s journey from primary care to opening a dedicated obesity treatment center in Midland reflects her commitment to addressing one of today’s most pressing health issues.
Dr. Teona’s passion for obesity treatment began in primary care, where she observed firsthand the impact of chronic obesity on her patients’ health. “You see consequences of chronic obesity in the form of diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea,” she explains. Recognizing that primary care settings often lacked the time and resources to address these conditions holistically, she envisioned a more specialized approach. Her own experience with weight gain following her pregnancy also provided motivation. “If I, as a primary care physician who promotes healthy living, couldn’t figure out how to lose weight, what am I going to tell my patients?” With her husband’s support, who brought his background in business management, Dr. Teona founded the Obesity Medicine and Wellness Center to provide the community with comprehensive obesity care.
Reflecting on her time with MyMichigan Health, Dr. Teona acknowledges its significant role in her journey. “MyMichigan was a big reason for my success,” she shares, noting how her experience there helped her build a foundation for the clinic’s work. With a holistic, multidisciplinary approach, the Obesity Medicine and Wellness Center offers patients a supportive environment focused on more than just weight loss. “We provide the community a place where they can achieve healthy weight goals through a multi-cause approach,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of education and personalized care.
Today, the center has grown to three locations, with plans to expand as needed to serve the community better. As Dr. Teona looks to the future, she’s focused on additional training, including board certification in culinary medicine, and hopes to mentor future physicians in the importance of treating obesity as a chronic disease. “Every success story with a patient brings three potential patients,” she notes, highlighting the impact of word-of-mouth in Midland. The Midland Business Alliance is proud to celebrate dedicated professionals like Dr. Teona, who are enhancing the quality of life in our community. Stay tuned as we continue to introduce the people behind Midland’s thriving businesses.
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