Lee Dirienzo MPAS, PA-C, is the provider you’ll see most at Alchemy Wellness and Weight Care in Somerset, Pennsylvania. With over 12 years of experience working as a Physician Associate in many health settings. Lee has a special interest wellness and weight management.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, Lee completed an MBA at West Virginia University and Master of Science in Counseling Psychology at Chatham University. After completing an internship in counseling psychology she returned for additional education and earned her Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies from the University of Pittsburgh in 2012. She has continued her education since then and has earned special certification in weight management from the Obesity Medicine Association and also through the American Academy of Physician Associates.
“I worked as a primary care provider for eight years and during this time, I became overwhelmed by patients who were looking to improve their health and manage their weight and asked for my help. I didn’t have any advanced training in weight management aside from the, “eat less and move more” advice that many had already tried without success. So, I sought additional training in the field of weight management (obesity medicine) and I earned two certificates of advanced education. I learned that achievable and sustainable weight management is multi factorial and personal - not one plan or one medication will be successful for all people. It is a unique chemistry that will lead to success and this will be different for everyone. Weight management is a lifelong challenge but with the right support in guidance it is possible. I began to apply what I had learned for my patients in primary care and celebrated many successes there. However, I often felt rushed and disorganized - wishing I could have more time and just be able to focus on weight. With this came the idea to develop a program and practice just for this. My previous patients were not the only an inspiration to practice. My Dad was a brilliant man achieving both his law degree in masters degree in chemistry at the same time. He also had a lifelong struggle with his weight. I recall an adult family member saying to me in my early childhood that my time with my father would be limited due to his obesity - and this terrified me. I still remember the fear that I felt hearing this to this day nearly 35 years later. It also amazed me that despite all of my father’s achievements - his brilliance, his success, his kindness and generosity- it still was always brought to the forefront and that among all of those things he was also obese. So, at the beginning of the year my full-time position in primary care ended and with the help of some medical, legal, business and technological friends, I am proud to finally be able to announce the new and exciting venture has begun with the development and opening of Alchemy Wellness and Weight Care. It has become my mission to give patients a safe space without any feelings of judgment or inferiority and to provide affordable, high-quality weight management treatment, available to everyone in a way that fits lifestyle and schedule. The goal is to have patients feel empowered in knowing that a lot of factors related to weight have nothing to do with willpower and everything to do with biology.”