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About Doctor for Life

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The Doctor for Life Difference

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Medical Weight Loss

At our core, we’re a medical practice, giving you supportive assessments and knowledge about the health side of losing weight. Weight loss can be attacked by way of multiple methods, and we start by assessing the clinical implications of what you eat, the medications you take and your vital statistics.

Nutrition

Dietary changes are, to no one’s surprise, a key concept of weight loss, and we don’t mean counting calories, either. Simply learning to cook and eat healthy for yourself can eliminate the need for extreme diets and constant calorie counting. Here’s another obvious tidbit: As a general rule, if eating something makes your body feel good afterward, it’s good for you.

Fitness

The human body was designed to move. That’s why a huge part of our operation as a weight loss clinic involves supporting your workouts with regular schedules and the addition of physiological knowledge to boost exercise effectiveness. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned athlete, we can help you get more out of your workouts.

Behavioral

Your mind is vital to the success of your health goals. Our behavioral experts will help you understand your thoughts and how they lead to your actions. They will work with you in a one on one setting to help you modify your behavior and thoughts to help you reach your health and weight loss goals.

THE TEAM Descriptions

A good team is made up of members that are similarly passionate about health. When these members apply their knowledge and different skills to the same problem, they come up with a more effective solution. This holistic approach supports our patients in all facets of their lives. 

MD – The physician is often seen as the one that holds together each part of the multidisciplinary team that function as a unit. The doctor is usually the patient's first encounter, next to the nurse, to evaluate the patient medical, social, family history their weight and lifestyle issues. The physician can then encourage the patient to adhere to medical advice and view weight for example as a significant but treatable health concern. The doctor can tailor treatment plan based on laboratory interpretation and patient's history, identify hormonal conditions and monitor nutritional deficiency and toxicity.

Dietitian – Confusion about food and diet is widespread. The Dietitian lays the foundation of dietary change, he guides the patient and offers strategies to improve their diet quality and decrease energy intake, without inducing feelings of hunger than can lead to binge eating. 

Personal Chef – prepares the meal that is palatable, attractive to the eyes and that is filling and savory. She works closely and follows the doctor's prescribed treatment and the RDN's meal plans.

Behavioral health coach – Mentally prepare the patient, helps patients deal not only with life stressors, relationship with food but also help patients achieve their goal in a supportive way. In encouraging individuals to integrate SMART goals in their dietary habits and physical activity into their lives, just one small change can become the catalyst to successful maintenance of a total lifestyle modification. Small steps, achievable goals, and recognition of their own mental barriers to change are the means by which change occurs.

Exercise specialist or Personal trainers – Integrates physical activity into healthy lifestyle, help patient maintain their goal weight through exercise and muscle building to help prevent chronic disease, quality of life and vitality. A guided exercise helps fat burning and achieve a healthy weight. 

MEET OUR TEAM

Cheryl Sarmiento, MD

Board Certified Internal Medicine
& Obesity Medicine

Dr. Cheryl Sarmiento has made it her life's mission to care for underserved patients battling obesity and overweight issues. As an Internal Medicine primary care physician, she saw that over 100 chronic medical conditions are linked to unhealthy weight and poor lifestyle. She saw the devastating effects on the health of her patients, costing their life, and the US economy.

She practices healthcare the way it should be, by combining clinical medicine, nutrition, and fitness to change people's lives. She cares strongly about her patients health in as much as treating the disease and preventing it. 

Dr. Cheryl leads by example, inspiring her patients and other people through the results of her work, and empowers them to learn and grow. Even after being ill herself, she worked straight through treatments, never taking the focus off of her patients.

Dr. Cheryl is a member of the South Carolina Medical Association, American College of Physicians - Internal Medicine, as well as the American Board of Obesity Medicine. In her spare time, she is the chapter Co-leader for Answering the Cry of the Poor, a charity, is a Unit Leader for South Carolina Couples for Christ, and is a member of Legatus, an organization of Catholic business leaders committed to learn, live, and spread the Catholic faith.

Her awards include
2019 Women In Business Award Winner
Board Certified in Internal Medicine Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine

Tesa Edge

Lifestyle Program Director


Tesa has been Doctor for Life’s Lifestyle Program Director and Clinical Manager since 2012. She has several responsibilities here at Doctor for Life with her main focus being health coaching and running the CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program.



  • Certified in Integrative Nutrition
  • Health and Wellness Practitioner
  • Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Certified AADE Lifestyle Coach

Daniel Andras

Registered Dietitian


Daniel Andras is our registered dietitian and nutritionist on staff who assists with nutrition education and guiding individuals to make better food choices to help them achieve optimal health. He believes health can be improved by consuming “Whole Foods”









Krislyn Ross

Executive Chef

Krislyn is our Executive Chef graduating from Johnson & Wales University in 2015 in culinary arts. Krislyn has 15 years of experience in the hospitality and restaurant industries. She is an avid recipe creator and has a strong passion for culinary wellness. With a niche in vegetarian cuisine, she believes in eating the rainbow for an optimal mind, body, soul and vitality.


Krislyn will make it easier for you to maintain your dietary transition through meal prep and cooking classes that teach you how to prepare a variety of energizing and wholesome meals that are specific to your dietary needs! She is thankful to be part of the Doctor for Life team and assisting patients in committing to living a healthier lifestyle.






JT Threlkeld

Fitness Director



JT Threlkeld, the fitness lead here at Doctor for Life has an extensive background helping individuals achieve their fitness goals.He has enjoyed working in health and fitness for over 20 years, training and teaching children to grandparents and high school students to professional athletes.







Fermin Redondo

Practice Manager

Fermin Redondo, practice manager at Doctor for Life oversees all the general operations including staffing, scheduling, patient services, billing and much more. He keeps everything flowing so patients get the service they deserve.


Fermin has 25 plus years of Health Care services. "Commitment and dedication to helping patients and staff will always be our priority."







Megan Alexander

Medical Assistant & Marketing Coordinator

Megan is our dedicated medical assistant with many years of customer service experience with a background in graphic design. She is also a dedicated student pursuing a degree in Nursing.


Megan helps make patient experiences easy and problem-free by being welcoming and proactive with any needs. She has a special interest in helping patients on their wellness journey and leading a healthier lifestyle.







Gaby Castillo

Front Desk Associate

Gaby Castillo is the person who will warmly welcome you as soon as you arrive at Doctor For Life! She is a professional journalist that graduated in Medellin, Colombia from Minuto de Dios University. She earned her diploma in Educational Development, focusing in organizational Development. She has gained experience by attending various congresses and forums, and by contributing to various universities in Colombia.


Gaby is delighted to join the Doctor For Life family, where she can take care of all patient needs.

Mary Franco

Medical Assistant

Mary is a professional healthcare worker with vast experience in the field. With more than 35 years dedicated to serving patients with compassion, love and total commitment. She believes that healthcare workers have a huge responsibility to provide excellent care and support that will make the difference on patients health and their quality of life.







Erin Baker

Licensed Massage Therapist

Erin is our licensed massage and body work therapist who specializes in goal oriented treatment massage including kinesiology, sports massage, myofascial release, and more. 

She strives to work with patients to repair damage and educate on how daily habits may be effecting your overall health.




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