Meet Dr. Allison Pope Barbee, MD – Founder of SustainMD
Dr. Allison Barbee is a Board-Certified Family Physician with nearly 20 years of experience providing thoughtful, compassionate medical care for patients of all ages. Her expertise spans preventive health, acute illness, chronic disease management, and — most notably — obesity and metabolic health.
Raised in rural Maine, Dr. Barbee saw the challenges families faced with limited access to medical care. She trained with a focus on serving communities in need and is now fulfilling that commitment through SustainMD—a physician-led telemedicine micropractice that offers accessible, patient-first care. By combining the convenience of virtual visits with the depth of relationship-based primary care and expertise in Obesity Medicine, SustainMD provides personalized, evidence-based treatment at a time when nearly everyone struggles to find a Primary Care Physician to truly meet their needs.
Education & Credentials
B.A., Colgate University – 1998
M.D., Jefferson Medical College – 2003 (Physician Shortage Area Program)
Residency in Family Medicine, Maine Medical Center – 2006
Board-Certified in Family Medicine since 2006
Advanced training in Obesity Medicine – 150+ hours of CME
Active Member – Obesity Medicine Association
Active Member – North Carolina Obesity Society
Licensing & Telehealth Authorization
Dr. Allison Pope Barbee is fully licensed to practice medicine and provide telehealth services to patients located in California, Florida, Maine, and North Carolina, the states where SustainMD currently offers virtual care. She adheres to all state-specific telemedicine regulations and informed consent requirements to ensure compliant, high-quality care across state lines.
Allison Pope Barbee Your Online Obesity Medicine Doctor
In today’s corporatized healthcare system, patients often face long waits, rushed visits, and cookie-cutter advice. Even the best hospitals frequently rely on call centers and rotating providers, leaving patients feeling unheard and undervalued.
Dr. Barbee founded SustainMD to be the opposite of that experience. As a solo physician, she provides:
Direct access
Every patient communicates with Dr. Barbee directly, not with assistants or call centers.
Longer, more meaningful visits
That allow time for listening, validating concerns, and building trust.
Evidence-based care
Tailored to each patient’s health goals, lifestyle, and medical needs.
Sustainable health strategies
That work in real life, not just on paper.
Expertise in Obesity Medicine & Metabolic Health
While she treats a wide range of conditions, Dr. Barbee has dedicated much of her career to helping patients overcome obesity and related metabolic disorders. With over 150 hours of advanced Obesity Medicine training, she blends science-backed strategies with compassionate, judgment-free care.
Her approach goes far beyond “eat less, move more.” She investigates and addresses the root causes of weight and metabolic changes, such as:
- Hormonal shifts (PCOS, menopause, thyroid conditions)
- Insulin resistance and prediabetes
- Emotional eating and lifestyle barriers
- Cardiovascular and inflammatory risks
Programs Led by Dr. Barbee
An intensive, 3-month physician-led program designed for patients with long-standing insulin resistance, weight struggles, or early diabetes.
- 12-Week Jumpstart – A Plan Patients Love
- Weekly visits and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
- Structured lifestyle, medication, and lab tracking
- Personalized accountability and coaching
Basic Weight Loss Membership
Designed for healthy individuals focused strictly on weight management. This plan includes high-quality support without chronic disease care.
- Monthly Physician Visits
- Body Composition Analysis
- Patient Advocacy, including Medication Prior Authorizations and Appeals, as appropriate
- Medication and lab monitoring
- Obesity-focused coaching and titration
Best for: Young adults or individuals with normal labs who don’t require chronic disease management.
This all-inclusive membership is ideal for patients managing obesity alongside chronic diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, PCOS, and more. It includes:
- Monthly Physician Visits
- Body Composition Analysis
- Patient Advocacy, including Medication Prior Authorizations and Appeals, as appropriate
- Comprehensive obesity care
- Chronic disease management
- Medication and lab monitoring
- Direct physician access via text, email, and virtual visits
- Includes Direct Primary Care- (with link to SimplyWell Plan)- with unlimited preventive care and sick visits
Best for: Patients who need full-spectrum medical care and accountability from a dedicated obesity physician.
An annual membership that provides essential preventive care without the $450 consultation fee, designed for rural and low-use patients. This plan includes its own Comprehensive Preventive Care Consultation.
- Comprehensive virtual health review
- Annual labs (CBC, CMP, A1c, Lipid, TSH)
- 3 acute virtual visits/year
- Screening and referral coordination (Pap, Mammography, Colonoscopy, vaccines)
- Direct communication with Dr. Barbee
Best for: Patients seeking an affordable and low-commitment approach to maintaining their health.
Advocacy & Patient Support in Obesity Care
Dr. Barbee’s work goes beyond clinical care — she is a strong advocate for patients living with obesity, working to break down barriers to effective treatment.
Through her involvement, Dr. Barbee is committed to:
Fighting for medication coverage so that patients can access effective, evidence-based treatments
Finding the lowest-cost options for each patient, without compromising on care quality
Promoting awareness that obesity is a chronic, complex disease — not a personal failure
- Obesity Action Coalition (OAC)
As an active member of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), she supports the organization’s mission to increase awareness, provide education, and promote policy changes that improve access to care.
The OAC is a trusted, non-profit resource where patients can learn more about the disease of obesity, connect with supportive communities, and stay informed about advocacy efforts.
- Obesity Medicine Association (OMA)
Dr. Barbee is also an active member of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA), the leading professional organization for physicians dedicated to advancing medical care for weight and metabolic health. Her engagement with OMA ensures her patients receive the most up-to-date, science-backed strategies for weight and metabolic health management.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Barbee as their Obesity Medicine Doctor Online
Patients join SustainMD because they want more than standard telehealth. They want:
A physician who listens and understands their full health story
Continuity of care with the same doctor at every visit
Flexible, virtual access without losing the personal connection
Proven expertise in managing obesity, metabolism, and preventive health
Whether you’re looking to lose weight, improve your metabolic health, or simply have a trusted physician who knows you, Dr. Barbee is your partner in sustainable, personalized care.
