Weight loss strategies present a viable adjunct to support patient outcomes and also present a potential bidirectional referral relationship. This podcast episode will discuss weight management using surgical and non-surgical options, the next generation of weight loss drugs to improve OAT efficacy, and how to have meaningful conversations with patients about weight management.
Tara Cooke, CNP, began her career in pulmonary medicine and sleep before earning her degree in Exercise Physiology and becoming a Certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in weight management. She spent two years at the WellSpan Sleep Clinic in Gettysburg, where she supported patients with weight-related sleep issues, before moving into her current role at a Bariatric Clinic.
Tara focuses primarily on non-surgical weight loss strategies, offering personalized plans that include education, meal planning, exercise routines, and behavior modification. She provides ongoing support with structured three-month follow-ups to monitor progress and make data-driven adjustments.
Despite the well-documented link between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Tara notes that the majority of her referrals still come from family medicine rather than sleep specialists—highlighting a missed opportunity for collaboration in patient care.
Tanya DeSanto, DDS is a graduate from Northwestern University Dental School. She has been practicing dentistry in Springfield, IL for 30 years and dental sleep medicine for the last several years. Dr. DeSanto is a Diplomate of the ABDSM and member of the AADSM, AASM, and SRS. She has lectured at the AADSM Annual Meeting and co-chaired the AADSM Breaking Down Barriers for a Successful Practice Course. She is an adjunct faculty member at the SIU School of Medicine where she enjoys teaching medical residents the importance of dental sleep medicine. She currently serves as chair of the AADSM Education Committee.
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