Meet the Medical Director of Calgary Weight Management Centre
I’m Dr. Shahebina Walji, medical director of Calgary Weight Management Centre.
When I was training in family medicine, I had not envisioned specialising in weight management and obesity medicine. However, during my practice as a family doctor, I very quickly started seeing that many of my patients had conditions like high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as many other weight-related health conditions.
I wasn’t too sure how best to help them. I talked to my husband about how helpless I felt in supporting my patients, and he suggested opening a clinic designed to support people with managing their weight. In 2008, we put together a team and opened Calgary Weight Management Centre.
When we first opened our doors, our team consisted of a dietitian, a psychologist and an exercise physiologist, and we were open only two half days a week. Over time, the knowledge and understanding of obesity and how to treat it expanded, and our ever-growing team mirrors this trend. Now, we are available full-time and have seen thousands of patients.
Aspects of my work that I genuinely enjoy include getting to know my patients, learning about their life context and barriers to weight management, and setting health goals together. There is no quick fix for weight gain. Weight management requires a long-term approach, and it is highly rewarding to see my clients’ health and quality of life improve.
Our clinic strengths include authenticity, a love for continuous learning, and a strong commitment to doing what’s best for our patients. We value the importance of people feeling comfortable enough to talk openly about their eating behavior, health, weight and personal challenges without fear of judgment so that we can support them in the best ways we can.
Our success can be attributed to our incredible team members. They are honest, sensitive, knowledgeable and committed to professional development.
Making a positive difference in the lives of my patients has given me immense satisfaction over the years.
Weight loss is challenging. Our team of professionals includes doctors, dietitians, psychologists and others with the knowledge, expertise, and sensitivity to support you on your unique weight management journey. With us, you will experience a patient-focused environment dedicated to honesty, care, compassion, and understanding. Please visit our website at www.cwmc.ca for more information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Walji