Medical Weight Loss Clinic Owner David Paull is a 2024 Honored Hero

Medical Weight Loss Clinic Owner David Paull’s Crohn's disease symptoms started nearly 20 years ago. His journey with the disease led him from diagnosis to advocacy, where he’s focused on supporting others through work with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

In acknowledgement of his resiliency and dedication to the cause, David has been named 2024’s adult Honored Hero for the foundation's Southeast Michigan Take Steps Walk on June 8.

Medical Weight Loss Clinic Owner David Paull will be celebrated this spring as an Honored Hero during the Southeast Michigan Take Steps Walk.

“I was stunned and humbled when asked to be this year’s adult Honored Hero for the Take Steps Walk,” he says. “I do my best to avoid public recognition for trying to do the ‘right thing’ in supporting the foundation, but I also realize that I am in a position to bring awareness to this disease and the foundation. I feel it is my duty to do whatever I can to help raise funds that go to supporting those afflicted and ultimately finding a cure.”

Inspired to Act

David’s personal experience with Crohn’s propelled him into action. He dealt with what he believed to be issues with a “sensitive stomach” for five years before his symptoms became so unmanageable that he sought treatment.

According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, “Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.” The cause isn’t well understood, but irritable bowel disease, which includes Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, affects one in 100 Americans. People can experience any combination of these symptoms – from abdominal pain to anemia to a skin rash - and they can range in severity.

There are treatments but no cure.

“After undergoing many tests, some of which were not so comfortable, I was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease,” David says. “I immediately went on heavy doses of steroids and a cocktail of other drugs to try and help my symptoms. I was fortunate: I only needed two surgeries and quickly found a drug that I could inject every two weeks. When that became less effective, I switched to infusions every six weeks, which I still receive. After years of struggling, I am in remission.”

Once his symptoms were under control, David felt compelled to give back and help others who suffer from Crohn’s and colitis. He decided that the best way he could help was to raise money and awareness. He reached out to a friend who also suffered from Crohn’s and was a board member at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. David volunteered with the foundation before he was asked to join the board. He was a board member for 10 years, three of which he served as president.

Overcoming Silence

The Take Steps Walk is the foundation’s largest fundraising event and will take place at 10 a.m. June 8 at the Southfield Civic Center Complex. Money raised helps accelerate research, advance treatments, and provide education and support programs to improve quality of life for those living with IDB.

Not only does the event raise crucial funds but it also fosters a sense of empowerment and solidarity among those affected by these diseases. It provides a platform for individuals to come together, break the stigma surrounding IBD, and celebrate resilience. 

David has experienced this support firsthand, participating in the Take Steps Walk since his diagnosis.

“IBD is often a very isolating and embarrassing experience,” he says. “I remember showing up to my first walk and being amazed at the way people were celebrated for their courage in this fight. To show up to a walk and see hundreds of people who are going through a similar experience is very empowering. The Take Steps Walk is a wonderful day that is about overcoming the stigma of living with a disease that is often uncomfortable to discuss. We need to erase the shame of IBD and show our support to those who continue to thrive against tough odds.” 

David is proud that, in addition to his work with the foundation, he can support members of the Crohn’s and colitis community through Medical Weight Loss Clinic, which is an active sponsor of the walk.

“If an IBD patient needs to lose weight, they often become frustrated because so many weight loss programs do not accommodate the specific needs that IBD patients require,” he says. “At MWLC, we can help anyone with IBD get on the path to a healthy, balanced food plan that will help them lose and maintain their weight.”

David encourages you to join the walk or make a donation to take steps toward cures for IBD. Read more about David’s experience with Crohn’s and the pediatric Honored Heroes here.

Local business owners compete in weight loss challenge with support from Medical Weight Loss Clinic

At our Medical Weight Loss Clinic locations, we know it takes support to stick to a healthy program. And we found the perfect example of that kind of camaraderie among two of our patients.

Jason Kaleta and Chris Cooper are competing in a weight loss challenge, bolstered by the community.

As local business owners and friends in the tight-knit Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. community, Chris Cooper of Zeppelin Cleaning Services and Jason Kaleta of Hill Mortgage recently announced that they are competing in a friendly weight loss challenge to see who can drop the most weight during the month of August. Their goal is to lose 20 pounds in one month.

Cooper and Kaleta have documented this friendly competition on Facebook and are sharing their weigh-ins without reservation. Kaleta’s starting weight is 223 pounds and Cooper’s starting weight is 211.5 pounds. Both business owners admitted they’re competitive by nature and in the past have worked out together – so this seemed like a natural fit.

“Chris and I have come up with an idea to challenge ourselves to lose some weight and motivate each other along the way,” said Kaleta. “After one week, I feel very motivated and lucky to be doing this with such a good friend! We hope that the videos we post will inspire more people to jump on the weight loss train!” 

There’s a local charity tie-in, too. For every pound Cooper loses, he will contribute $20 to Detroit Dog Rescue. For every pound Kaleta loses, he will contribute $20 to Kids on the Go. The charities were suggested by Cooper, as he has worked with each before and knows the founders personally. The competitors also asked that their Facebook fans consider commenting on who they predict will win. And each of those comments earns one of the non-profit recipients an additional $5.

“We're extremely excited about this opportunity with Medical Weight Loss Clinic,” said Cooper. “I'm a huge advocate for the program and was doing really well with it before COVID-19 and am so glad to be back on the program. The staff at the Grosse Pointe Woods location is spectacular. One week in, I feel so much better and have already dropped 8 pounds from where I was.”

Medical Weight Loss Clinic Owner David Paull was so inspired by their efforts, he has offered to match a donation to each of their charities – up to $240 each – by the end of August.

"Medical Weight Loss Clinic is proud to support our patient’s efforts to better their health and positively impact the community while doing so," said Paull.

Cooper and Kaleta were appreciative of this offer. They mentioned that additional members of the community have reached out to match their own donations to this effort, too.

“What started as a fun little challenge has blossomed into something very special,” he said. “Both charities have reached out and expressed their sincere appreciation for our help in a time where fundraising has been very challenging.”

Now is the ideal time to get healthy, Cooper added. We’re all more aware of our health as we navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Everyone is talking about waiting for a vaccine,” he said. “This is something you can do in the meantime.”

If you’re ready to work toward a healthier life, we’re here to help. Learn more about Medical Weight Loss Clinic, our community connections, or book your free consultation online or by calling 1-800-GET-SLIM.

Medical Weight Loss Clinic encourages those with IBD to share stories this Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week

We’re in the midst of an important week here at Medical Weight Loss Clinic – Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week extends until Dec. 7, 2018. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis both represent types of inflammatory bowel diseases. According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, IBD affects an estimated 1.6 million Americans. Crohn’s disease impacts the gastrointestinal tract, while ulcerative colitis is often limited to the colon. Both chronic illnesses are marked by an abnormal response from the body’s immune system. Men and women are equally impacted by these diseases.

That’s why this week, the foundation encourages those with related health challenges to share their stories with #myIBD. It isn’t restricted to those who have been diagnosed with either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis – but those who are caregivers or have friends and loved ones with these chronic illnesses.

Owner David Paull, of Medical Weight Loss Clinic, has a strong personal connection to this cause. And it’s one we feel many friends, family and members of our community may connect with as well.

“I was diagnosed with Crohn’s in 2008,” David says. “Once I was healthy enough to do so, I wanted to get involved. I knew that a friend of mine had Crohn’s and he was on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. I asked him how I could get involved and he recommended that I join the board, which I did in 2012.”

His work with CCF ties in closely with his role at Medical Weight Loss Clinic. “At Medical Weight Loss Clinic, we are interested in promoting a healthy lifestyle, and diet and nutrition plays a big role in this,” he adds. “The same is true for people who suffer from IBD or Intestinal Bowel Disease.”

David urges those with questions about programs at the Clinic or concerns related to Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis to ask questions and seek help. Many programs at the clinic address health issues including those associated with IBD. “The kinder you are to your digestive system, the kinder it will be to you,” he says.

David is proud to represent the Michigan Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, based in Farmington HIlls. He will serve as its president in 2019.

“I am excited with the opportunity to grow awareness for the Foundation,” David says. “Ultimately our goal is to find a cure. I hope to get more people involved with the organization and raise more money for research. I am grateful that I am in a position to give back.”

To learn more about their mission and the work David is doing there, please visit

http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/chapters/michigan.

To learn more about the Medical Weight Loss Center and how healthy choices can enhance your life, call 248-353-8446 or visit https://mwlc.com.