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Metabolic Health and
Obesity Medicine
HOME / Metabolic health and obesity medicine
A ROOT-CAUSE TO BLOOD SUGAR, WEIGHT & ENERGY
We help people in midlife restore metabolic balance, treat stubborn weight gain, and feel better from the inside out - without blame or burnout.
What is Metabolic Health?
Metabolic health is about how well your body manages things like blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight. When these systems fall out of balance, you may feel tired, foggy, frustrated with your weight, or be at risk for conditions like diabetes, stroke, or heart disease.
At Health Connections Direct Primary Care, we take a whole-person approach - using lifestyle medicine, personalized treatment, and obesity medicine to get to the root cause and help you truly feel better.
What We Help With:
Obesity and weight gain - even when you feel like you're doing everything right
Insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure and cholesterol
Fatty liver and inflammation
PCOS and hormonal imbalances
Midlife metabolic shifts - perimenopause, menopause, and beyond
What Makes Our Approach Different?
Medical Expertise
Further training in obesity, lifestyle and addiction medicine - we treat weight as a medical condition, not a willpower problem
Personalized Plans
Tailored strategies that combine food, movement, mindset, and medications when needed
Progress Tracking
Regular labs, check-ins, and real-life goals - not just the scale
Judgement-Free Conversations
Talk openly about stress, shame, and obstacles with someone who listens
Medications When Appropriate
GLP-1's like Ozempic/Wegovy, Contrave, or Phentermine - with cost-conscious guidance
Lifestyle Coaching
Grounded in the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: nutrition, sleep, stress, movement, connection, and substance reduction
It's Not Just About the Scale
Our goal isn't just to help you lose weight - it's to help you feel healthier, stronger, and more confident in your body. We support your energy, digestion, sleep, cravings, hormone health, and mental well-being. If you've been doing everything right and still aren't seeing results - we believe you. This is a place for deeper support, without shame.
Ready to Restore Your Energy & Balance Your Metabolism?
Let's take the next step - together. Whether you're starting your journey or looking to fine-tune your health, we're here to guide and support you.
Personalized
Same / Next Day Care
Compassionate
Affordable
Pricing
Primary Care
Monthly Payments
$95/mo
per single adult or child
$30/mo
per child with enrolled adult
$210/mo
for a family of four
$180/mo
for two adults
PLUS
$200
one-time enrollment fee per family
Includes:
-All in-office visits and testing
-Same/next day office visits
-Portal messaging
-Video visits
-Discounted prices on labs and vaccines
Yearly Payment
$1045
for 1 year per single adult or child
$330
for 1 year per child with adult
$2310
for 1 year per family of 4
$1980
for 1 year for 2 adults
Pay upfront and get 12th month free AND no enrollment fee!
Includes:
-All in-office visits and testing
-Same/next day office visits
-Portal messaging
-Video visits
-Discounted prices on labs and vaccines
One-Time Visit
$300
for 1 visit
-Does not include any follow-up care, or prescriptions for more than 1 month of medicines.
-Designed for people who do not want to have an on-going doctor/patient relationship.
-Does not include in-office testing
-Same/next day office visits not guaranteed
Our Physician and Team
Dr. Cynthia Villacis, MD
Bilingual Family Physician, Civil Surgeon and Life Coach
I’m Dr. Cynthia Villacis, a family doctor with over 20 years of experience — and someone who’s walked many of the same health journeys as my patients. I’ve faced struggles with weight, blood sugar, stress, and sleep, and I know how frustrating it is to feel like you’re doing everything right and still not getting answers.
That’s why I created Health Connections DPC — to offer care that’s personal, judgment-free, and focused on the whole you. I take time to listen, look at root causes, and help you build a plan that fits your life. I also proudly serve a diverse, inclusive community — including immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Spanish-speaking families — with compassion and respect.
I completed my residency in Family Medicine in 2002 — the same year my second child was born — and I’ve spent over two decades helping people manage chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity through a root-cause approach grounded in lifestyle medicine. I’m also board certified in addiction medicine and have a special interest in mental health, women’s health, and immigrant health.
For many years, I worked in a busy community health center. But I found that 10-15 minute visits weren’t enough to make the kind of meaningful impact I wanted — especially for patients dealing with stress, mood struggles, weight gain, or hormonal changes. That’s why I opened my own practice in 2017, offering longer visits, easier access, and more time to actually connect and care.
My practice is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. I learned Spanish while living in Ecuador as an exchange student in 1988 — where I also met my future husband. I’ve had a passion for working with immigrant families ever since, and I’m also a designated civil surgeon, providing USCIS I-693 immigration medical exams in a compassionate, low-stress environment.
Outside the office, I’m a proud mom of two grown kids, wife of 30+ years, and outdoor enthusiast. I enjoy kayaking, yoga, hiking, scuba diving, and exploring new places — and I strongly believe that joyful movement and adventure are possible at any size. I’ve been on my own journey with weight, metabolic health, and self-compassion, which fuels the care I offer my patients.
If you’re looking for a doctor who sees the full picture — body, mind, and lifestyle — and who truly takes the time to listen, I’d love to welcome you to Health Connections DPC.
🎓 Education & Training
Medical School: Wright State University School of Medicine (1999)
Residency: St. Elizabeth Family Medicine, Edgewood, KY (2002)
Undergraduate: Oberlin College, BA in Biology
High School: Sycamore High School, Montgomery, OH + Colegio Ambato, Ecuador (exchange year)
📜 Certifications
-Board Certified in Family Medicine
-Board Certified in Lifestyle Medicine
-Board Certified in Addiction Medicine
-Certified Life Coach (The Life Coach School) and additional training through WellCoaches
👥 Memberships
American Academy of Family Physicians
American College of Lifestyle Medicine
American Society of Addiction Medicine
Northern Kentucky Medical Society
👩💼 Meet Gisselle
Bilingual Medical Assistant & Office Manager
I first joined Health Connections DPC in 2023 and returned in the fall of 2024 after completing my Associate’s Degree in Business. It’s an honor to now serve as both a medical assistant and the office manager, supporting our patients and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes.
Originally from Puerto Rico, I moved to Kentucky in 2017 and have been dedicated ever since to helping people from all backgrounds feel cared for and understood. As a bilingual team member, I take pride in bridging language and cultural gaps — ensuring that both English and Spanish-speaking patients receive the clear, compassionate care they deserve.
I love learning and am always looking for ways to grow in my role and serve our community even better. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, knitting, and spending quality time with my family — the people who keep me grounded and inspired.
👋 Meet Paula
Bilingual Medical Assistant | Patient Care Coordinator
I joined Health Connections DPC in the spring of 2024, bringing with me a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and compassionate care. As an immigrant and a native Spanish and English speaker, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to feel truly understood—especially in healthcare. My background allows me to connect with patients from all walks of life, and I’m passionate about creating a space where every person feels heard, respected, and supported.
My own journey has taught me the power of empathy and clear communication—especially when navigating complex medical systems or unfamiliar territory. Whether I’m helping with appointments, answering questions, or simply offering a friendly face, I strive to be a steady, caring presence for each person who walks through our doors.
Outside the clinic, I love to travel and explore new cultures. Every trip reminds me how much there is to learn from others. I also treasure time with my family, who are my foundation and my biggest inspiration.
At Health Connections, I’m proud to be part of a team that treats people like people—not just patients.
We proudly welcome LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and people of all sizes, colors, and faiths. Se habla Español.
