Tampa, Fla. – The OAC is pleased to welcome Amber Huett-Garcia, MPA, as Chairwoman of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC). As a longtime supporter and advocate for the OAC, and a recipient of the 2014 OAC Chairman’s Award, Ms. Huett-Garcia has assisted greatly with the growth of the Coalition.
Ms. Huett-Garcia is a six-year post-op bariatric surgery patient who joined the OAC in 2009 after she read an infuriating news article about obesity. This article later inspired her to take action in support of the OAC’s mission.

“Who fights for people affected by the disease of obesity? I got that answer by finding the Obesity Action Coalition,” Ms. Huett-Garcia said. “The experience of millions of Americans is not just valid and important, but it’s also being ignored. It can’t continue, and the OAC has made it very loud and clear that it won’t let that happen.”

Shortly after becoming a member of the OAC, Ms. Huett-Garcia joined the Advocacy Committee, as well as several other committees, and was later invited to participate in the National Board of Directors. She is also a former Your Weight Matters National Convention Committee Chair. Outside of the OAC, Ms. Huett-Garcia currently serves as the Director of Development and Public Affairs with Teach for America in Memphis, Tenn.

“It is such a great privilege to be a voice for our membership and individuals everywhere who are affected by obesity,” Ms. Huett-Garcia said. “Also, I believe we’re more powerful together and I’ve seen what a group of folks can do when they’re passionate and committed. We’ve got the power to create change at dramatic levels, and I can’t wait to work alongside the OAC Board, staff, and members to get things done.”

The remaining OAC National Board of Directors are as follows: Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA, Immediate-past Chairman; Georgeann Mallory, RD, Treasurer; Michelle Vicari, Secretary; Tammy Beaumont, BSN, RN, CBN; Sarah Bramblette, MSHL; Pam Davis, RN, CBN, MBA; Jaime Fivecoat, MBA; Robert Kushner, MD; Holly F. Lofton, MD; Tracy Martinez, RN, BSN, CBN; Walter Medlin, MD, FACS; Lloyd Stegemann, MD, FASMBS and Melinda J. Watman, BSN, MSN, CNM, MBA.

For more information on the OAC National Board of Directors, please visit the OAC Web site at www.ObesityAction.org.

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.