A career physician, celebrated author and upstanding mentor are the impressions you get when reading about Dr. Jan McBarron. She grew up in a modest household in a suburb of Philadelphia, the third of four children in a family where education ended with high school. At the age of 16 she volunteered in a hospital and medicine became her passion. She became a registered nurse then worked night shift to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology which paved the road to medical school. She graduated with a Doctor of Medicine from Drexel University in 1984 and completed a Medical-Surgical Internship. She and her husband Duke Liberatore, moved to Georgia where he opened the first of what ultimately grew into a successful chain of health food stores and she spent 30 years in private practice specializing in Medical Bariatrics, non-surgical weight loss. She is a recognized author, has appeared on countless radio and television shows, and taught as a Professor in Nutrition at Columbus State University.
Jan McBarron has received countless awards including the Girls Scouts Woman of Achievement, Most Distinguished Alumni for Entrepreneurship from Drexel University, and Clinician of the Year from the Natural Products Association. She has empowered people to take responsibility for their own health and transformed the lives of her patients as well as thousands nationwide. For twenty years, she and her husband Duke Liberatore, broadcast their nationally syndicated, health talk radio program, Duke and The Doctor. The show was repeatedly ranked in the Top 100 Best Talk Shows in the nation by Talkers Magazine.
In 2014, Duke sold the stores and Duke and The Doctor decided to retire from the show. Recently upon the death of her mother, Doc closed her private medical practice in order to realize another life goal of living in Nevada. Together, they enjoy the outdoors, hiking, biking, weightlifting and traveling.
Dr. Jan McBarron is also a widely sought after public speaker and is regularly invited in different public forums to share her expertise in areas including bariatric medicine, health, nutrition and fitness. In addition, she continues her work as an author and philanthropic work thru the Dr. Jan McBarron Scholarship initiative.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in this field?
Caring for others has always been my passion. Having started my medical career in nursing, I was driven for more education in order to help patients even more. This thirst for knowledge motivated me to obtain two doctorate degrees. First, I received an MD, Medical Doctor from Drexel and then studied holistic, natural medicine to receive an ND, Naturopathic Degree from Clayton College.
How does your role positively impact others?
Most people approach health and medical issues with an “either/or” approach; either they go to a Medical Doctor for drugs, surgery and radiation, or they go to a Naturopathic Doctor for vitamins, herbs and lifestyle. I espouse to a complimentary approach and take the best of both. Patients appreciate a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan. The work doctor means to teach, it should not mean “to dictate”. I see many of my colleagues treat patients with the attitude “it’s my way or the highway”. Patients should ask questions because they respond better with information.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, hiking, biking and exercise in general. Besides reducing stress, these activities play an important role in preparing the mind and body for new challenges. Traveling provides me the opportunity to go new places, meet interesting people and learn new things. Currently I am learning two new languages. For fitness, I normally exercise by lifting weights in the gym, jogging and just going outside for a walk.
Could you briefly expound on what your business does?
For over 30 years, I saw patients one on one in private practice. When I started, less than 25 %of Americans were overweight or obese. Now, over 70% are. Obesity is no longer just a U.S. problem, its worldwide. With the advances in the social media and the internet I am now able to address many more people at once than I ever could in private practice. The need is greater and the avenue for helping more people is wider as well. Most people do not understand obesity. It’s a medical disease, it’s not just cosmetic. It is not a function of lack of discipline or willpower. It’s not about being the biggest person in the room, it’s being 30 pounds or more overweight for your height. It’s about Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer and more.
Are there any other business-related ventures that you’re working on that we can look forward to?
Although trained in the sciences, in order to continue helping people, I must embrace the ever-changing world of the internet. I plan to release a Mobile App developed with the support of the iBuildApp. The App will be valuable in our marketing and sensitization efforts. The App provides crucial information to users like bariatric procedures; what patients can expect; and answers to frequently asked questions. Users can also use the App to interact with our staff through a live chat service and social media accounts. I am also working on a medical podcast that I will be unveiling sometime this year. I have been doing some test runs using an iTunes account. The target audience will be the medical fraternity and the general public.
What would you advise readers and aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start a business?
There is no one fits all formula for guaranteeing business success. However, cost is a fundamental factor that can make or break the dream of owning a successful business. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to analyze business expenses in its entirety to ensure success goes beyond the launching phase. The cost analysis should factor elements like licensing, location, supplies, rent and marketing. To implement these issues exhaustively you need a good financial plan and execution strategy.
