Keynote Speaker: W. Timothy Garvey, M.D. Master of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (MACE) Butterworth Professor of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Dr. W. Timothy Garvey is a world-renowned physician-scientist and a transformative leader in metabolic medicine. As the Past President of The Obesity Society, Dr. Garvey has been a driving force in redefining our clinical approach to weight management on a global scale. A Pioneer in "Obesity as a Disease" Dr. Garvey was the chief architect of the landmark position statement designating Obesity as a Chronic Disease. He famously moved the needle away from simple BMI-based metrics toward a "Complications-Centric" medical model. His work ensures that treatment is dictated by a patient’s health and metabolic risk, rather than just a number on a scale. Defining the ABCD Framework A visionary in diagnostic terminology, Dr. Garvey pioneered the term Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease (ABCD). This framework provides a precise medical label that focuses on the function and distribution of abnormal fat tissue, effectively reducing the social stigma of "obesity" while providing clinicians with a clear, actionable path for primary and secondary prevention of Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. With over 350 publications and decades of NIH-funded research, Dr. Garvey continues to lead at the intersection of molecular biology and clinical practice, ensuring that the next generation of metabolic care is both evidence-based and deeply compassionate.