Dan Bessesen, MD
Professor, Medicine-Endocrinology/Metabolism/Diabetes

Director, Anschutz Health and Wellness Center
Staff Endocrinologist
Clinic 303-436-6000
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Gender: Male
Languages: English
Department, Section/Division: Medicine-Endocrinology/Metabolism/Diabetes

Practice Locations

Denver Health
777 Bannock St
Denver, CO 80204
303-436-6000
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Hospital Affiliation
  • Denver Health Medical Center
  • University of Colorado Hospital
Center Affiliations

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Board Certification (1989)
  • Internal Medicine, Board Certification (1985)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Endocrine System (Hormones)
  • Endocrine System (Hormones) - Adrenal Diseases
  • Endocrine System (Hormones) - Adult Type 1 Diabetes
  • Endocrine System (Hormones) - Adult Type 2 Diabetes
  • Endocrine System (Hormones) - Lipidosis
  • Endocrine System (Hormones) - Thyroid Cancer
  • Endocrine System (Hormones) - Thyroid Disease
  • Food, Nutrition and Metabolism
  • Nutrition
  • Obesity
  • Weight Loss and Dieting
  • Weight Loss Surgery
  • Surgery
  • Weight Loss Surgery
  • Wellness and Prevention
  • Exercise and Physical Fitness
Clinical Interest for Patients
I am the Director of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center and a general endocrinologist who does my clinical work at Denver Health. I do research in obesity and body weight regulation and have a clinical interest in helping people living with obesity manage their weight.

Education & Training

Medical Schools:
  • MD, University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center (1982)

Undergraduate Schools:
  • BS, Colorado State University (CO) (1978)

Internships:
  • University of Colorado (1983)

Residency Program:
  • University of Colorado, Chief Resident, Internal Medicine (1986)

Fellowships:
  • University of Colorado, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (1990)

Recognition & Awards

  • 5280 Magazine listing as one of the “Best Doctors in Denver”, 5280 magazine (2023)
  • Florence Rena Sabin Award for Exceptional Contributions to the Health of Citizens of Colorado, University of Colorado, School of Medicine (2023)
  • Nutrition Obesity Research Center "Outstanding Mentor", NIH funded NORC (2023)
  • President, The Obesity Society (2022)
  • Kaiser Permanente Teaching Award (Basic Science), University of Colorado, School of Medicine (2020)
  • 5280 Magazine listing as one of the “Best Doctors in Denver”, 5280 magazine (2019)
  • Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of Colorado (2018)

Teaching

  • Program Director, Obesity Medicine Fellowship (2019)
    School of Medicine, Medicine
  • Co-Block Director: Digestive, Endocrine and Metabolism System Block (2005)
    School of Medicine, Medicine

Research & Grants

Research interests for Patients:
I have conducted studies on the regulation of body weight for more than 20 years. I have also conduced studies on the clinical care of people living with obesity. Studies have extended from animal models of obesity to physiological studies in human subjects to analyses of large clinical data sets. Physiological studies have utilized measures of energy expenditure using indirect calorimetry by hood or room, metabolic tracer turnover studies, functional brain imaging studies in response to food related stimuli and controlled feeding paradigms. Subjects that vary in propensity to weight gain (naturally thin, obesity prone, obese, reduced obese) have been studied in conditions of energy imbalance (overfeeding, underfeeding, exercise, sedentary).

Information for Referring Providers


Office Phone: (303) 436-5910