The Beginning
In 2004, Dr. Simonds started Physician Assisted Weight Loss in Hickory, NC. At the time, Dr. Simonds recognized the rapidly advancing trend of obesity and its many associated negative health conditions present in himself, his friends, his associates, and in society at large.
This gave birth to Dr. Simonds’ practice of obesity medicine. He felt that patients needed options to confront this epidemic and felt that the medical community was not providing those options to patients on a large enough scale.
The Journey
This journey led Dr. Simonds out of the practice of Emergency Medicine and into the full time practice of Obesity Medicine. In 2007 he opened the Durham location of Dr. Simonds Weight Loss, and in 2011 he opened a location in Raleigh also.
The name of the practice has undergone two changes and now is Dr. Simonds Metabolics & Weight Loss. The staff now includes multiple providers and administrative personnel.
Dr. Simonds’ core convictions about the need to prevent, treat, and reverse obesity has led him to board certification by the American Board of Obesity Medicine. He is fellow of the Obesity Medicine Association, and serves as a board trustee for this national organization of obesity medicine clinicians. The entire clinical staff of the practice participates in the most advanced obesity medicine training and education.
Looking Forward
This journey into the practice of obesity medicine continues. With three office locations, in over fourteen years Dr. Simonds Metabolics & Weight Loss has treated more than 25,000 patients. Dr. Simonds Metabolics & Weight Loss continues to confront this epidemic of obesity and its negative health consequences.
The mission remains unchanged – the prevention, treatment, and reversal of the disease of obesity using nutritional therapies, behavioral change, physical activity, and medications, like the appetite suppressant phentermine.
Our Team
Dr. Wickham Simonds
M.D.Dr. Simonds is the founder of Dr. Simonds Weight Loss and currently practices Obesity Medicine with offices in Durham and Raleigh. Dr. Simonds is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Obesity Medicine. He was Chief Resident during his residency in Emergency Medicine at Penn State University/York Hospital. Dr. Simonds received his MD from East Carolina University after graduating Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Biology from Campbell University. He is a member of the Obesity Medicine Association and The Obesity Society.
He was raised in Durham, N.C. and graduated high school from Cresset Christian Academy in Durham. He has served his country in the U.S. Army with duty stations in Korea, Louisiana, and Iraq. The latter involved deployments in (1)1990 and 1991 for Operation Desert Shield and Storm, (2) 2003 to Southern Iraq in support of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, and (3) 2005 to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Dr. Simonds is married to his wife Anna who is a Registered Nurse. They have four children and two grandchildren. He is active in church and community activities. His hobbies are the study of American history and the Constitution, playing golf, and competitive shooting and firearms.
Alejandra Dorantes
Office ManagerProviders
Michelle A. Stone
Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN, NP-C, FOMAMichelle is a Family Nurse Practitioner who joined Dr. Simonds Weight Loss in May, 2012. She is nationally certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. As a nationally certified Nurse Practitioner, Michelle can assess, diagnose, and treat acute and chronic illnesses, write prescriptions, administer and dispense medications, order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests, and consult with and refer to fellow healthcare providers.
Born and raised in Newark, Delaware, Michelle graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Delaware in 2008. Caring for hospitalized patients on a medical/surgical hospital unit suffering from health complications due to preventable diseases helped her realize that contributing to the prevention of these diseases in an outpatient setting was where she felt she could have the most impact. She decided that the advanced education and clinical experience required to become a Nurse Practitioner would allow her to provide more comprehensive care to patients in an outpatient setting where she could focus on disease prevention and health management.
She completed her Family Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Delaware and graduated with her Master’s Degree in Nursing in January 2012. She is a member of the Obesity Medicine Association, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and the North Carolina Nurses Association. In September, 2017, she became a Fellow of the Obesity Medicine Association, one of the highest honors reserved for those who demonstrate dedication and commitment to the clinical treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases.
Christina Michael
Physician’s Assistant, PA-CChristina is a Physician Assistant who joined Dr. Simonds Weight Loss in December of 2014. She grew up in Raleigh and went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. After working as a nursing assistant and then in research she missed patient care so returned to school at East Carolina University where she received her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies in 2010. She started as a PA in Family Medicine then joined Dr. Simonds practice at the end of 2014 after moving back to Raleigh. Since joining the practice she has enjoyed using her knowledge and experience gained through primary care to help improve or prevent so many of the diseases associated with obesity she had previously been diagnosing and treating. She is certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of the Obesity Medicine Association.
Since getting married in 2015 Christina and her husband live in Raleigh and enjoy trying new restaurants and finding new activities and places to explore in the Triangle. In her free time she enjoys cooking, doing craft projects, cheering on the Tarheels, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She loves anything outdoors from spending time at the beach to hiking in the mountains. On a pretty day, she also enjoys flying with her husband- as long as there isn’t too much turbulence in the air!
Allison Ernst
Family Nurse Practitioner and a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, DNP, FNP-BCAllison Ernst has worked with Dr. Simonds to promote wellness in our patients since 2010. She received her undergraduate nursing degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and returned to complete her master’s degree with dual certifications as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. In 2019 she earned a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from East Carolina University.
With a particular interest in insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and hormone induced weight gain, Allison focuses on finding achievable lifestyle solutions to improve your health. She encourages a holistic approach to losing weight and feeling better overall.
In her free time Allison enjoys cooking, audio book-ing, and chasing after her two children with her husband Jonathan.
Anna Simonds
Registered Nurse
Ken Elsass
Registered NurseKen earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Winston Salem State University in 1997. Upon graduating, he received a commission as an Army Nurse Officer and was assigned to the Preterm Labor/Women’s Surgical ward at Tripler Army Medical Center Honolulu, HI, during which time he received his certification as a Lactation Consultant. After two years, he attended the Perioperative Nurse Course at Fort Bliss, TX, after which he transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center as an Operating Room nurse. Ken left the Army in 2003 to work as a travel OR nurse until he commissioned in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps of Nurses. He spent the last 14 years in various nursing leadership roles at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner. In 2014, he deployed for three months to Liberia, Africa, to provide aid to the Ebola-plagued nation. During that time, he provided direct patient care to over 100 patients. Ken retired a Lieutenant Commander on January 1, 2022 after 20 years of uniformed service.
Hannah Harvey
REGISTERED DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST, MS, RD, LDNHannah earned her undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at Meredith College and completed graduate school at East Carolina University in 1998. She joined Dr. Simonds Weight Loss in 2012 and enjoys the diversity of people that she partners with on their journey to improved health.
Hannah first got her “healthcare toes” wet at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro and comes to us after tenures with the Durham County Health Department, Moses Cone Health System, and most recently, Duke University School of Medicine. The thread that weaves these experiences together is her desire to listen and tailor her expertise to each individual’s health needs and desire for change.
Hannah enjoys the cultural and agricultural flavors of NC, and tries to support as many local farmers, restaurants, and food trucks as her budget allows! Her free time is spent staying active and engaged with her spouse, 2 children, 2 cats, dog, hamster, and an ever-fluctuating number of fish!
Heather Jones
NP-CObesity Medicine Technicians
Lovie Watson
Obesity Medicine Technician, Front OfficeI received a Bachelors Degree in Nutrition from UNCG in 1994. During college, I worked in childcare venues ranging from pre-schools to summer camps and after-school programs. I spent several years in the food service industry and realized I missed working directly with families. I spent the next 12 years as a Case Manager in a substance abuse program for women and their children. Realizing there was an increased need for teachers of special needs children, I returned to my passion for working with tiny humans. Ready for another change, I joined the Dr. Simonds Metabolics & Weight Loss staff.
Office Staff
Karen Locklear
Front office
Tina Sessoms
Front Office
Marsha Watkins
Front Office
Emily Robinson
Front Office
Kelsey Weaver
Front Office
Andrea Armentano
Front Office
Audrey Crawford
Front OfficeConsultants
Jack Simonds
Business Consultant
Brian Phillips
PharmacistHave you tried Ketogenics?
There are tons of benefits.
