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About Us

Get to know the story and the people behind SDSM

Learn more about our wellness and weight loss center, where personalized care and scientific expertise converge to give you a brighter, healthier future.

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The SDSM story

In 1980, E. Lee Rice, DO established San Diego Sports Medicine & Family Health Center (SDSM) with the vision to provide a place where individuals could receive quality medical care to help them manage every aspect of their health to achieve optimum wellness.

His philosophy stemmed from the belief that health is much more than merely the absence of disease. Since its inception, SDSM has provided care beyond the treatment of injuries and illnesses. It also stressed the importance of individualized patient education and lifestyle improvements in order to enhance well-being and quality of life. SDSM’s goal is not to just make patients feel better, but also to help them attain optimal health and wellness.

SDSM Weight and Wellness is the branch of San Diego Sports Medicine & Family Health Center specializing in weight management. Guided by decades of experience and fueled by a passion for transformation, our experts stand ready to guide you on a journey of self-discovery, where sustainable weight loss and lasting wellness become not just aspirations, but lived experiences.

Meet your providers

Begin a chapter of personal growth and renewal, guided by experts who believe in your potential for transformation.

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Michelle L. Look

MD, FAAFP, ABOM

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Monica photo no family

Monica Rivera-Gonzalez

MSN, FNP-BC

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Jennifer Burns Katafigiotis, MS

Director of Nutrition, Amesbury, MA

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Explore our range of services

SDSM Weight and Wellness will guide you toward lasting transformation with personalized care and science-based strategies.

Medical Consultations

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Certified Weight Loss Nutritionist

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Medically Prescribed Meal Replacements

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Ready to take control of your weight and improve your health?

Take a step toward a healthier future with SDSM Weight and Wellness.

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SDSM Weight and Wellness

  • 6699 Alvarado Road #2102 San Diego, CA 92120
  • Fax: (619) 814-5412

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© 2024 San Diego Sports Medicine Weight and Wellness. All Rights Reserved
img doctor michelle look

Michelle L. Look

MD, FAAFP, ABOM

Dr. Look has practiced family medicine and sports medicine at San Diego Sports Medicine & Family Health Center since 2000.

During her sports medicine career, she has served as the team physician across many disciplines, such as the X-Games, women’s professional soccer, and multiple Olympic games. In 2021, Dr. Look served as the World Rugby Medical Director for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Rugby matches. She currently serves on the Medical Board of Directors for USA Rugby and Major League Professional Rugby.

Her experience with elite athletes has shown her that small changes in eating, physical activity, and stress reduction can have significant improvements in mood, health, and performance. Over the last 20 years of practicing family medicine and sports medicine, she has used these effective strategies to assist patients dealing with chronic medical conditions by helping them make sustainable changes to their lifestyle and weight.

Obesity is a complex disease. Multiple biological and environmental factors make sustained weight loss difficult. To understand obesity better, Dr. Look received additional training in obesity medicine and in 2014 became board certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). Dr. Look is widely published in many peer reviewed journals and is a frequent national speaker in the field of obesity medicine.

In her spare time, Dr. Look enjoys hula dancing, running, cooking, and traveling.

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Monica Rivera-Gonzalez

MSN, FNP-BC

Monica earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Azusa Pacific University in 2022 and brings over a decade of healthcare experience to her role. With 10+ years as a registered nurse specializing in cardiology and neuro/stroke care, she has developed a deep understanding of complex, chronic health conditions and patient-centered care

She has been a nurse practitioner in family medicine, where she discovered a strong interest in weight management and metabolic health. She is passionate about supporting patients on their weight loss journeys, understanding that obesity is a multifaceted, chronic condition influenced by biological, environmental, and behavioral factors. Monica believes in a compassionate, individualized approach to care that combines medical treatment with small, sustainable lifestyle changes for lasting results. Her goal is to empower patients to achieve healthy weight loss, reduce the risk of other chronic diseases, and improve energy and confidence. Outside of work, Monica enjoys running, cross-training, traveling, and spending quality time with her loved ones (both two and four legged!)

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Jennifer Burns Katafigiotis, MS

Director of Nutrition, Amesbury, MA

For over 20 years, Jennifer has worked exclusively in the area of medical weight loss and nutrition education in clinical and private practice settings.

To address the growing prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity and the lack of programs outside the clinical setting to address the issue, Jennifer created a one-of-a-kind nutrition education program for children — WWC KIDS. In 2018, WWC KIDS was launched at the American Academy of Pediatrics annual conference to rave reviews. In 2019, it was recognized by the International Forum on Advancement in Healthcare and received their highest award for the program’s contribution to healthcare.

Jennifer has contributed to numerous articles and appeared in media outlets in the NYC area. She has spoken at conferences in the United States and Europe on topics related to nutrition, food science, and weight status, and will be a featured TEDx speaker at the inaugural TEDx Rutherford series. Her children’s book Belinda Bumble Bee shines a light on the importance of bees in our food system and was used by the NNJ Girl Scouts of America as part of their environmental awareness badge.

Jennifer graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and then received a dual masters in Nutrition Education and Food Science from Montclair State University, New Jersey, where she is currently an adjunct professor and mentor to undergraduate and graduate research students.

If Jennifer won the lottery tomorrow, she says she would still be working with her patients the next day. It is simply what she loves to do!

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