Our Story

Natalie Ikeman, PA-C

Natalie is a board-certified Physician Assistant (PA) who specializes in caring for people affected by obesity and their weight-related conditions at Bhatti Weight Loss Center. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology at the University of Minnesota and her Master's degree in PA Studies at Augsburg University. She designed, implemented and directed 'The Great Slim Down' Primary Care Weight Management Program at Hennepin Healthcare for over 6 years. Her advanced training includes an Obesity Management Primary Care Certificate from the AAPA and a Certificate of Advanced Education for NPs and PAs from the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA). She is an active member of OMA and attends yearly conferences.  Natalie is passionate about helping people achieve sustainable weight loss by utilizing anti-obesity medications in combination with counseling on nutrition, physical activity and behavior change. She aims to eliminate the stigma and shame patients often feel surrounding their struggles with weight. 

Jessica Sanchez-Alfaro, MD

Dr. Jessica Sanchez-Alfaro is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, with over 14 years of experience managing obesity and related conditions. She is particularly passionate about supporting individuals as they embark on their weight loss journey, focusing on long-term success, improved quality of life, and longevity. Currently practicing at Park Nicollet Bariatric Center, Dr. Sanchez-Alfaro specializes in providing comprehensive care to patients undergoing medical weight management as well as Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery. Dr. Sanchez-Alfaro completed her residency at Smiley's Family Medicine at the University of Minnesota and earned her medical degree from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru. Her global perspective is informed by her medical practice across Canada, Peru, and the United States. Fluent in Spanish and English, she brings a unique multicultural approach to patient care. As Vice President of the Minnesota Obesity Society, Dr. Sanchez-Alfaro is dedicated to advancing obesity care and education throughout the state. 

Lauren Bloch, PharmD BCACP

Dr. Lauren Bloch is a Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Pharmacist working at the M Health Fairview Comprehensive Weight Management Clinic. She went to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities for pharmacy school. She completed her PGY-1 Ambulatory Care Residency through the University of Minnesota and Fairview Health Services in 2018. She started her MTM practice after residency at the M Health Fairview Comprehensive Weight Management Clinic and has overseen its development and growth over the last 6 years. She is currently the Operations Lead for the MTM pharmacy team at her clinic, working with three other MTM pharmacists specializing in weight management. She enjoys partnering with patients to reach their health goals. Her collaboration with the patient’s health care team hopes to improve drug therapy outcomes by ensuring medications are appropriate, effective safe and convenient.  

Kayla Gish, NP

Kayla Gish is an APRN CNP at the University of MN with M Health Fairview Comprehensive Weight Management Clinic. She has been practicing obesity medicine for 6 years. She attended Luther College for undergrad and Concordia Wisconsin for her graduate program. As a nurse she did inpatient Trauma/ surgical nursing at Mayo Clinic and then urgent care at Allina. Her first NP job was also in urgent care. Living with obesity from an early age, Kayla is passionate about helping people better manage their health and helping them shed the shame that comes with obesity. Since starting with the weight management clinic, Kayla has obtained a certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine from the Obesity Medicine Association. Outside of practice, Kayla lives with her husband and two young kids in Shoreview MN.  

Kaylin Kolb, DNP

Kaylin is a Nurse Practitioner working in internal medicine and jail health services where she provides comprehensive primary care to patients of all backgrounds. She is passionate about lifestyle medicine, preventative health and serving vulnerable patient populations.  She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a doctorate in nursing practice specializing as an Adult/Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. She additionally completed a certificate through the center for spirituality & healing at the University of Minnesota. Following graduation, she completed a post-graduate certificate through the University of Winona where she became board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner as well.  She has since completed her Certificate of Advanced Education from the Obesity Medicine Association to better serve her patients' managing chronic health conditions related to obesity. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, traveling and engaging in physical activity such as running, biking, strength training and yoga. 

Allie Rodriguez, PA-C

A native Minnesotan, Allie Rodriguez obtained her degree in physician assistant studies at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas in 2013, and is thrilled to be back in her home state. She has been working at Associates in Women’s Health since 2016 and is one of the cofounders of the women’s health obesity medicine program, Metabolic Health and Wellness. Her mission is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of her patients through evidence-based science, support, education and empowerment.  Outside of the clinic, Allie enjoys spending time with her 3 young children and her husband, running, biking, and walking their dogs.  

Nicole Akhigbe, DNP

Nicole Akhigbe is a board certified family nurse practitioner who has over 5 years of experience in obesity medicine and weight management. She currently works as a nurse practitioner at Allina Health Bariatric clinic serving patients in medical weight loss as well as post bariatric surgery lifestyle and aftercare. Nicole completed her Bachelor's degree in nursing and Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Minnesota. She has 20 years of experience in healthcare, serving a diverse population in the Twin Cities metro area. Prior to working in bariatric medicine, Nicole worked as a primary care provider at Hennepin Healthcare for 9 years and as a nurse worked in cardiac ICU and emergency medicine. Nicole is also a member of the Obesity Medicine Association and attends their annual obesity medicine conferences. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time outdoors, being with her family and friends, practicing yoga, and cooking healthy meals for her family.