How FlyteHealth Is Changing the Way We Treat Obesity
The Obesity Crisis We Can’t Ignore: How FlyteHealth Is Delivering Compassionate, Personalized Metabolic Care at Scale
Despite decades of scientific advances, the obesity crisis in the U.S. continues to grow, both in scale and complexity. According to the CDC, more than 40% of U.S. adults are classified as having obesity, and nearly 1 in 10 adults lives with severe obesity. Racial disparities make this even more urgent, with Black and Latino adults experiencing rates approaching 50%. Yet fewer than 2% of eligible patients receive anti-obesity medications—underscoring a system not equipped for meaningful, sustainable intervention.
The reasons are many: lack of provider training, poor insurance coverage, societal stigma, and the misconception that obesity is simply a lifestyle issue. "Obesity isn’t widely recognized as a disease. That means a lack of coverage, a lack of providers, and patients who are constantly being blamed for something that’s far more complex," says Dr. Katherine Saunders. While 99% of primary care physicians feel confident discussing lifestyle changes, only 67% are comfortable recommending medication, and few have the time or tools to deliver a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan.
The FlyteHealth Solution: Technology + Compassion
FlyteHealth was born from the vision of physicians who had spent decades on the frontlines of obesity medicine. "For most people with obesity, it takes more than just a lifestyle intervention to treat their disease effectively and sustainably," says Dr. Katherine Saunders. Dr. Katherine Saunders and Dr. Louis Aronne—pioneers in the field—knew that effective treatment had to be both medically rigorous and deeply personal. They teamed up with CEO Sloan Saunders and CMO Dr. Leon Igel to build FlyteHealth, a technology and clinical services company combining AI-powered clinical intelligence and smart technology with a team of highly trained providers, and a model of care refined over 30+ years of practice.
Originally launched as a technology platform, FlyteHealth evolved into a full-scale telemedicine practice when it became clear that overburdened providers lacked the bandwidth to adopt obesity care on their own. FlyteHealth now delivers personalized, multidisciplinary care to patients across the country, working directly with employers, health systems, and payers to increase access to high-quality treatment. "We started as a software company to support clinicians. But there weren’t enough providers with the bandwidth to treat obesity, so we built the clinical team ourselves," Saunders explains.
FlyteHealth patients Darlene (left) and Barbara (right) share their experiences with personalized, compassionate obesity care—from virtual visits to day-to-day support.
Images courtesy of FlyteHealth.
Real Impact, Real Patients
The results are tangible. One Connecticut patient lost 55 pounds in just nine months—and continues to make progress. Another, once denied access to a heart transplant due to BMI restrictions, became eligible for the procedure thanks to weight loss achieved through the FlyteHealth program. "We’ve had patients who were denied access to surgery or lifesaving treatment due to BMI restrictions, and after working with us, they became eligible. That’s life-changing," Saunders says. Others have reversed diabetes risk, improved cardiovascular health, and regained mobility and confidence.
Darlene Erlingheuser-Marks, a patient from Connecticut, has lost 55 pounds so far without the use of GLP-1s. With the help of her FlyteHealth clinical care team, she is now eligible for the knee surgery she needs, and her overall health has improved.
“It’s literally about your health and a lifestyle that’s maintainable. I’m proud of myself, honestly,” says Darlene.
Before working with FlyteHealth, Barbara Senich had struggled with obesity for 50 years. With the help of Dr. Katherine Saunders and the rest of her FlyteHealth care team, Barbara lost a very significant amount of weight and improved her health dramatically. Perhaps even more importantly, she has maintained that weight loss for over 8 years.
"The FlyteHealth team made sure I knew they would be there for me no matter what. Since obesity is a relentless adversary, almost everyone hits bumps in the road. Knowing that my health team had personalized solutions for me–-even during the rough patches–-made all the difference. Their empathy and deep expertise gave me hope that I could, now and forever, maintain my weight loss,” says Barbara.
What sets FlyteHealth apart is its commitment to personalization. "This isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our job is to listen, understand every factor, and build a plan that works—not just for weight loss, but for sustainable health," says Dr. Saunders.
Every patient undergoes a comprehensive intake process to assess the biological, behavioral, and lifestyle drivers of weight gain. Care plans are built around evidence-based medications—often starting with affordable generics rather than expensive GLP-1 injectables—and supported by registered dietitians, nurse practitioners, and, when needed, mental health professionals.
FlyteHealth, formerly Intellihealth, has grown significantly and garnered substantial investor confidence. In March 2024, the company secured a $24 million Series A funding round with contributions from Morningside Ventures, CT Innovations, Atlantic Health System, Black Opal Ventures, Hearst Ventures, and The Venture Collective. This capital infusion has been instrumental in enhancing FlyteHealth's digital platform and expanding its services. It enables the company to reach a broader patient population and further its mission of providing compassionate, personalized cardiometabolic care at scale.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Personalized Care
FlyteHealth isn’t just growing—it’s leading the industry. As new medications emerge and the regulatory environment evolves, FlyteHealth’s expert team remains highly qualified and committed to staying at the forefront of treatment innovation. The company’s patent-pending clinical decision support tools help providers make data-informed choices tailored to each patient’s physiology, preferences, and goals.
More than anything, FlyteHealth gives people with obesity something they’ve lost in traditional medical care: hope. “We take people who have tried and failed so many times,” says Dr. Saunders, “and we help them feel seen, supported, and successful again.”
In a healthcare system struggling to catch up with the science of obesity, FlyteHealth is doing more than filling gaps—it’s rewriting the standard of care.
FlyteHealth co-founders Dr. Katherine Saunders and Sloan Saunders, with Dr. Louis Aronne, a leading obesity expert and longtime clinical advisor to the company.
Photo courtesy of FlyteHealth
