Our journey to U Transform U
Discover the passion and purpose behind U Transform U. We're dedicated to helping you achieve lasting health through a personalized, compassionate approach to functional medicine.
Our inspiration: a personal and professional quest for solutions
My Journey
The journey to U Transform U began with a deeply personal struggle. I faced health challenges in the form of a colorectal tumor. I visited with many good doctors but one stood out to me. He said "I will never answer the 'if it were me...' question. He said how can I ever know what its like in your shoes. Why that mattered to me is because the decision of any kind has to be from the individual. I realized it must be you who transforms you. I have to choose how I approach my day, and I ultimately I have to decide how healthy I will be. The options available didn't align with my unique issues and concerns. I had to still pursue solutions for my health regardless.
A System with Many Holes
After graduating from Penn State College of Medicine 2002, finishing my general surgery residency in 2007 and completing a fellowship in Bariatric and minimally invasive surgery in 2008, I practiced in a variety of settings. For close to 20 years I worked in hospitals, emergency facilities, walk-in clinics, and offices providing surgical care for patients.
In all of those locations, I saw too many patients’ needs not being met. Specifically, little or no work was being done with the natural, biological ways of the human body or with the mind-body connection. And To Many people still stuck in the "Weight-loss War".
Committed to Becoming a Solution
It was during those years that I began to explore forms of healing not included in mainstream medical practice.
I began communicating and working with established “alternative” doctors.
I focused on non-conventional medical literature .
The road to knowledge lead me to functional medicine.
The principles of functional medicine aligned closer to my knowledge of what health requires thus providing more options for myself and offer them to more clients.
What is Functional medicine?
Functional medicine restores healthy function by treating the root causes of disease. The functional medicine framework allows me as a clinician to systematically identify and address the underlying processes and dysfunctions that are causing imbalance and disease in the body. The evaluation of a patient’s genetic, environmental, and lifestyle influences we can create plans that restore balance, health, and mental well-being.
A unique approach: feeling heard, supported, and uplifted
At U Transform U, our most important principle is ensuring you feel truly heard and understood. We recognize that many have navigated the often-unsuccessful public perceptions surrounding weight loss and chronic conditions. Your experiences, struggles, and concerns are central to our approach.
We craft a personalized plan based on your individual journey, guiding you toward the optimal path for better health. Our compassionate and uplifting environment is designed to explore the root causes of your health struggles, providing solutions for life's obstacles through lifestyle and behavioral modifications. We're partners in your transformation.
Your journey with U Transform U: a truly different experience
When you come to U Transform U in Paducah, Kentucky, expect an experience unlike other wellness programs. Your journey begins with a detailed client assessment, often taking over an hour. During this time, we meticulously document your health history, conduct a physical exam, and deeply discuss your struggles and health goals. This comprehensive approach allows your health provider to develop an initial health plan template.
Critically, this plan is only finalized after discussion and your approval—it's a shared decision-making pathway. We look beyond just weight as a metric for success, utilizing a broader range of indicators to celebrate your health achievements. Our solutions include personalized lifestyle and behavioral modifications, and we can also provide supplemental and medication options tailored to your needs. We're committed to helping you transform your health, compassionately and effectively.
"Dr. D motivates, and empowers others to believe in themselves and strive for excellence." J.R
"Dr. D has made impacts in my world more than I can count. He has an innate ability to help others help themselves". J.R