Tampa, Fla. – The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) welcomed 575 registrants to the Lone Star State for three full days of education, advocacy and support. In its fourth year, the Your Weight Matters National Convention empowered those in attendance to recognize the complexities of obesity and stand with the OAC.

The theme for YWM2015, Our Journey – Restore. Refresh. Renew., quickly became apparent as attendees from throughout the United States bonded as a united voice and realized that they are not alone in the journey of weight and health. With a strong educational foundation delivered by some of the leading healthcare professionals in the nation, registrants armed themselves with the necessary evidence-based information to not only improve their weight and health, but also to move forward with the OAC in raising awareness of obesity, combating weight bias, advocating for access to care and much more.

“This was a very special Convention as we had the exciting opportunity to celebrate the OAC’s 10 Year Anniversary during the meeting. While we’ve seen tremendous growth as an organization, Convention really exemplifies the conduit for individuals to connect with each other, learn and take action,” said Joe Nadglowski, OAC President and CEO.

In partnership with the YMCA of Greater San Antonio, the OAC also opened its doors for free on the Saturday of Convention to all local residents. From visiting more than 30 health-focused vendors to receiving a free health screening, Texans from all across the state had the opportunity to experience YWM2015.

“We’ve hosted the YWM Healthy Living EXPO for the past two years, and I have to say that each year the EXPO continues to grow and impress me. It’s a great feeling to be able to give back to the community, and we were honored to do that with the YMCA of Greater San Antonio,” said Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA, OAC Chairman.

YWM2015 was also the backdrop this year for the announcement of the OAC Annual Awards. The winners of the OAC 2015 Annual Awards are as follows: OAC Member of the Year – Rob Portinga; Healthcare Provider Advocate of the Year – Scott Kahan, MD, MPH; Chairman’s Award – Jaime Fivecoat, MBA; Barbara Thompson Award for Advocacy – Patty Nece, JD; Bias Buster of the Year – Justin D. Puckett, DO, FAAFP; Community Leader of the Year – BMI of Texas, Michael Seger, MD, and Jennifer Seger, MD; and the Dr. Blackstone Outstanding Membership Recruitment by a Physician Award – Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians – Sherman C. Smith, MD, FACS, Steven C. Simper, MD, FACS and Rodrick McKinlay, MD, FACS. The OAC congratulates all of this year’s winners.

The great success of YWM2015 would not have been possible without the generous support of this year’s sponsors. The OAC would like to thank the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention Sponsors for their support: Platinum – Novo Nordisk; Gold – Apollo Endosurgery; and Eisai; Silver – Arena, Medtronic and Covidien, and Takeda; Bronze – Aspire Bariatrics, Celebrate Vitamins, Ethicon, Geisinger, KVK Tech, VBloc and Weight Watchers.

YWM2015 put the OAC’s mission to elevate and empower individuals affected by obesity through education, advocacy and support front and center. Throughout the past 10 years, the OAC has been building a unified voice of more than 50,000 members nationwide. YWM2015 demonstrated the many ways that the OAC will activate its membership in the years to come. From spreading the message of the OAC, to combating weight bias, to advocating for increased obesity treatment coverage, the OAC will continue to stand with its members.

The OAC is excited to announce that the 5th Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention will take place in Washington, DC, at the Gaylord National Resort on August 25-28, 2016. Learn more at www.YWMConvention.com.

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), a more than 50,000 member-strong National nonprofit organization, is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by the disease of obesity through education, advocacy and support.