The Medical Weight Loss Team at Midwest Weight Control

At Midwest Weight Control, we understand that people become overweight for a variety of biological, cultural, and emotional reasons. Therefore, we put the expertise of a multidisciplinary medical weight loss team at your fingertips.

Your weight loss team is composed of healthcare professionals with expertise in weight control  who are skilled in treating all aspects of your condition. All members of our medical weight loss team have received advanced training in weight management and have studied the causes and consequences of excessive weight gain and treatments for overweight and obesity. The combination of our team's specialties ensures that we treat you as a whole person and help you achieve your health and weight loss goals.

Our founder, Kathy Bedford, our Medical Director, Dr. Nancy Richardson, and our entire staff of professional and caring medical weight loss team members understand the difficulties in the lives of overweight people: the health problems, the physical limitations, and the emotional struggles. Each medical weight loss team member is concerned about your wellbeing in addition to your weight loss progress. We want you to be successful, and we take that goal very seriously at Midwest Weight Control. 

Kathy Bedford, M.A., Founder and President

Kathy Bedford has worked in medical weight management for 20 years and is the founder and president of Midwest Weight Control. Prior to establishing her own clinics, Kathy consulted with and trained over 200 independent medical weight management programs nationwide.  Kathy is passionate about the work her clinics do and the positive impact weight loss has on people's lives.  "I believe that an excellent medical weight loss clinic will combine compassion, flexibility, medical expertise and excellent customer support, not just while a person is losing weight, but during the years to come afterwards.  Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is a lifelong voyage.  We're here for you during and after the weight loss process." In addition to her work at Midwest Weight Control, Kathy also runs two other businesses, cares for her family in Maple Grove, and is an artist.

Nancy Richardson, M.D., Medical Director

Dr. Nancy Richardson has 30 years of experience as a general practitioner. She is also a board certified bariatric physician (the medical specialty that treats obesity and its associated conditions) and has been practicing bariatric medicine for 10 years. Dr. Richardson and her medical team will determine the best diet composition and treatment approach for you and will medically monitor your progress throughout your program. As Medical Director at Midwest Weight Control, Dr. Nancy Richardson oversees the medical weight loss team and ensures that the medical care that is provided is state of the art.

Cate Christensen, M.S., C-NP, Nurse Practitioner

Cate Christensen, C-NP, is a licensed and certified nurse practitioner with a Masters of Science in Nursing. In addition to her exceptional education, Cate has over 10 years of experience in the medical field. Knowledgeable, compassionate and professional, Cate recognizes that every person is unique and deserves a weight loss program customized specifically for their lifestyle and needs. Cate says "I take a sincere personal interest in my patients' success as they continue through their weight loss journey. The biggest rewards are seeing the results of my patients' hard work to achieve their goals and seeing how happy they are with the results."

Patty Lucas-Hadaway, LPN, Program Director, Maple Grove

For 25 years, Patty's career has focused on weight management. She was formerly the director of New Day Weight Management. Her core belief is that successful, long-term weight management incorporates a multi-disciplinary approach. Long-term success is significantly higher when weight loss and management programs include nutrition, fitness and behavior modification components. Patty works with her patients at Midwest Weight Control to set realistic goals. She encourages them to keep an open mind while learning new behaviors. She is passionate about weight management and preventative healthcare. Patty believes that a successful weight management program can be a life-changing event.

Natalie Spiczka, Program Director, Waite Park

Natalie Spiczka has a background in business, marketing, and medical weight management.  She has a long track record of building successful businesses and has learned that a key component in that success is customizing solutions to customer needs. Inspired by her own struggles and successes with weight management, she came on board as the Program Director for Midwest Weight Control in May of 2007. Natalie recognizes that each person has their own reasons for wanting to manage their weight and wants to ensure we understand those reasons.  Natalie says, "When you make the decision to walk through our front door, I will be on the other side to take your hand and walk with you through your weight loss program to a happier and healthier you!"

Maureen Sandgren, M.S., R.D., L.D.: Dietitian and Lifestyle Coach

Maureen Sandgren is a registered and licensed dietitian with a Master of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition.  Maureen has experience providing nutrition education and counseling for people with a variety of needs including weight management, cardiac care, and eating disorders therapy.  She is knowledgeable, compassionate, and aims to solve your nutrition challenges.  Maureen will work with you to set realistic goals, create an individualized plan, and make healthy lifestyle choices that lead to your desired results.

Liz Blom, R.D., L.D.: Coach and Dietitian

Liz has over ten years of experience counseling people with a variety of disease states and nutritional needs.    She has been a member of Midwest Weight Control's health care team for four years.  As a mother of two, Liz can relate to time conflicts that can interfere with self-care and healthy choices.  Liz loves to support and empower people with nutrition knowledge.  Her goal is to provide a realistic, individualized approach to promote lifestyle change and weight management.