COMPREHENSIVE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS

For Support Group Information: 

At M Health Fairview, our Comprehensive Weight Management program offers on-line support groups for patients who are working on weight loss and considering, preparing for, or have had weight loss surgery. There is no cost for this opportunity.

You are invited to attend the Virtual Support Groups provided by any of the following locations:

1.   Southdale via Microsoft Teams with Donna Ziemer-Ditzel, RD, RN

2.   Maplewood via Microsoft Teams with Paul Bagdade, PhD, LP

3.   Maplewood via Microsoft Teams with Emily Feig, RN

4.   University of Minnesota via a Zoom Meeting with Emily Kline, NBC-HW

M Health Fairview Southdale

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SUPPORT GROUP

This support group is a patient-lead forum that meets monthly to share experiences, encouragement and education. It is open to those who have had weight loss surgery, are scheduled for surgery, or are considering surgery.

WHEN: 3^rd Wednesday of each month from 5:00PM – 6:00PM using Microsoft Teams.

FACILITATOR: Led by Donna Ziemer, RD, LD, RN, the program's Clinical Coordinator.

TO REGISTER: Please contact the clinic via MyChart or call the nurse line directly at 952-345-4198 to inform our staff that you would like an invite sent to you and to let us know the email you would like the invite sent to. Prior to the meeting, a link with directions on how to join the meeting will be sent to you.

2026 Meetings, 3rd Wednesday, 5:00pm – 6:00pm  

March 18: Robin Quast, RD, LD

April 15: Vanessa Hauge, RD, LD

May 20

June 17

July 15

August 19

September 16: Lisa Hady, PsyD, LP

October 21

November 18

December 16

M Health Fairview Clinics and Specialty Center - Maplewood

CONNECTIONS BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

This is open to all pre- and post- operative bariatric surgery patients as well as their support system.

WHEN: 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM using Microsoft Teams.  

FACILITATOR: Led by Paul Bagdade, Ph.D who is a Licensed Psychologist with the M Health Fairview Comprehensive Weight Management Program.

TO REGISTER: Please send an email to Paul Bagdade, Ph.D., LP at paul.bagdade@fairview.org if you would like an invitation to the group. Prior to the meeting, a link with directions on how to join the meeting will be sent to you.

2026 Meetings, 3rd Tuesday, 6:30p – 8:00pm

March 17: Medication Management and Bariatric Surgery, Speaker: Sheng Lee, PharmD, Pharmacy Resident, M Health Fairview, St John's Hospital.

April 21: Stress Management/Mindful Eating", Lisa Somerville, BS, NBC-HWC, National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Fairview Comprehensive Weight Management Program.

May 19

June 16: Nutritional Labeling & Food Noise", Alexandra Bergh, RD, LD, Registered Dietitian Surgical Practice, Fairview Health Services

July 21

August 18

September 15

October 20

November 17

December 15

M Health Fairview Clinics and Specialty Center - Maplewood

CONNECTIONS POST-OPERATIVE BARIATRIC SURGERY SUPPORT GROUP

This is a support group for M Health Fairview bariatric patients (and those external to M Health Fairview) who have had bariatric surgery and are at least 3 months post-surgery.

WHEN: 4^th Thursday of the month from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM using Microsoft Teams.

FACILITATOR: Led by Certified Bariatric Nurse, Emily Feig, RN, CBN.

TO REGISTER: Please send an email to Emily at emily.feig@fairview.org if you would like an invitation to the group. Prior to the meeting, a link with directions on how to join the meeting will be sent to you.
 

2026 Meetings, 4th Thursday, 11:00am – 12:00pm

March 26

April 23

May 28

June 25

July 23

August 27

September 24

October 22

November 26: No meeting.

December 24

M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE COACHING GROUP

This is a 60 minute virtual coaching group for those who want to lead a healthier lifestyle. Come together to set goals and overcome barriers in a supportive group environment. We will address the four pillars of health: nutrition, exercise, sleep, and emotional well-being. 
 

WHEN: 1st Friday of the month from 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM using a Zoom meeting.

FACILITATOR: Led by National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Emily Kline, NBC-HWC.

TO REGISTER: Please call the Customer Solutions Center at 612-336-2727 to register. You will get an appointment to attend in MyChart. Fifteen minutes prior to the meeting, complete the e-check in and you will get the link to join the meeting. There is no charge to attend this group and space is limited. 

Please register for each month you wish to attend.

2026 Meetings, 1st Friday, 12:30pm - 1:30pm

April 3: No meeting.

May 1

June 5

July 3: No meeting.

August 7

September 4

October 2

November 6

December 4