The Company Partners With Leading Local Health Systems and Appoints its First Vice President of Clinical Partnerships to Broaden Access to Weight-Inclusive Care
knownwell, an in-person and virtual, weight-inclusive primary care and metabolic health company, today announced its expansion into six new clinic locations across the greater Chicago area with full virtual access for patients across the midwest. The news comes on the heels of knownwell’s second clinic opening in Dallas late last year, marking 400 percent patient growth within the past 12 months. It also follows a $20 million Series A raise led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Bio + Health with participation from existing investors, including Series Seed Lead Flare Capital Partners.
Illinois faces a significant challenge, with more than 35 percent of adults living with obesity. This midwest expansion enables knownwell to directly address this growing health epidemic by providing adults and adolescents with a stigma-free environment focused on inclusive, comprehensive care. The company will partner with leading local health systems, integrating knownwell’s weight-inclusive clinical approach for bariatric surgery and medical weight loss.
"When we launched our first clinic in Boston in 2023, we recognized that patients needed a longitudinal, stigma-free healthcare home for treatment,” said Brooke Boyarsky Pratt, CEO and Co-Founder of knownwell. “Today, our expansion into the midwest signifies a remarkable growth of our physical presence and is a testament to the profound demand for knownwell's patient-centered, in-person and virtual approach from both patients and health systems alike. We are thrilled to be the leading platform to attract, retain, and improve health outcomes for patients who have for so long been ignored."
As the company continues to scale in the wake of a growing need for comprehensive metabolic care, knownwell brings on new talent, including 23 Chicago-based employees and Dr. Anthony Auriemma, who will start as the company’s first Market Medical Director and Vice President of Clinical Partnerships. Dr. Auriemma is a physician specializing in obesity medicine who previously served as medical director for Ascension Medical Group Illinois Weight Loss Solutions. At knownwell, Dr. Auriemma will foster the company’s partnerships with local healthcare organizations, including health systems, for increased clinical services, patient care, and improved health outcomes.
“Nearly 36 percent of high school students in Chicago are affected by overweight or obesity, underscoring the critical need for more inclusive metabolic care in the city, including for adolescents,” said Dr. Auriemma. “Having spent much of my career in Illinois, I’m eager to help drive better health outcomes for my community by joining the knownwell team. It’s a privilege to be part of a company that’s transforming care for the millions of Americans impacted by health challenges that are so often overlooked.”
knownwell is on a mission to make weight-inclusive healthcare more accessible. It offers full-coverage care, including metabolic health services, comprehensive primary care, nutrition counseling, and behavioral health services in-person and online in New England, Texas, and now Illinois, and accepts insurance. To learn more about knownwell, visit www.knownwell.co.
ABOUT KNOWNWELL:
knownwell is built for the millions of Americans who have been told that their weight is the problem, regardless of their unique health concerns. Stigmatizing patients does not promote wellness, and in fact, leads to worse health outcomes. knownwell practices evidence-based medicine that supports a patient’s unique goals, creating a healthcare home for patients with overweight and obesity. To learn more, visit knownwell.co.
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