Meet Dr Noelle Quann | Our New Medical Lead Shaping the Future of Obesity Care
Estimated reading time: about 5 minutes
About Dr Quann
Dr Noelle Quann qualified as a doctor in 2005 and has worked in General Practice for over 15 years. She trained as a GP and brings a broad range of experience spanning pre-hospital emergency medicine, minor surgery, palliative care, and sports medicine. During her time as part of the academic staff at UCD’s Centre for Emergency Medicine, she was twice nominated by students for teaching awards, a reflection of her commitment to clear, compassionate communication and high-quality care.
Beyond clinical practice, Dr Quann has worked nationally and internationally as team doctor for both national and intercounty sports teams, supporting athletes through injury prevention, recovery, and performance management. She also has a great sense of humour, which helps put her patients at ease and creates a calm, down-to-earth atmosphere in consultations.
She has a particular interest in complex case review and medical regulation and currently serves as a Performance Assessor with the Irish Medical Council’s Fitness to Practise section. As Medical Lead at Beyondbmi, Dr Quann brings her clinical expertise, balanced perspective, and genuine understanding of the challenges people face in managing their health. She combines evidence-based medicine with practical, real-world support to help patients achieve lasting improvements in wellbeing and quality of life.
Q: What drew you into medicine, and how did you come to focus specifically on weight management in patients with chronic conditions such as obesity or type 1 diabetes?
I’ve always been drawn to the parts of medicine that combine science, empathy, and long-term impact. Over time, I realised that weight and metabolic health are central to so many of the conditions people struggle with, yet often overlooked or oversimplified. Working with patients living with obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fertility challenges, and mental health conditions showed me how much difference it makes when care is approached through a medical, evidence-based lens rather than judgement or blame. That’s what led me to specialise in obesity medicine. It’s a field where you can genuinely change lives.
Q: How does your approach at Beyondbmi differ when working with individuals with chronic illnesses compared to those without?
When someone has a chronic condition, the priorities shift. The aim isn’t just weight loss, it’s improving overall health, function, and quality of life. Beyondbmi takes a highly individualised approach, looking at medical history, medications, and metabolic factors in detail. For someone with type 2 diabetes, for example, that might mean adjusting medications that impact weight, improving metabolic control, and supporting achievable changes in nutrition and activity. For others, it could involve managing cardiovascular risk, addressing hormonal or fertility issues such as PCOS, or supporting mental health alongside physical health goals. Ultimately, it’s about helping people make progress safely and sustainably, rather than focusing on a number on the scales.
Q: In your practice, what role does lifestyle medicine play, and how do you balance it with pharmacological treatments for long-term outcomes?
Obesity is a long-term medical condition, and it’s rarely about just one thing. For many people, the right medication can help reduce hunger, balance hormones, and make it easier to make healthier choices. But medication works best when combined with small, sustainable changes around food, movement, and sleep. My approach is to meet people where they are, use the best medical tools available, and build a plan that actually fits into real life.
Q: What do you believe are the biggest misconceptions people have about obesity and weight loss when chronic disease is involved?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that obesity is simply caused by overeating or lack of willpower. In reality, it’s a complex medical condition influenced by genetics, hormones, medications, stress, sleep, and other health factors. Another common myth is that people living with conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or PCOS “can’t” lose weight or improve their health. That’s absolutely not true. With the right medical support and a plan tailored to their needs, people can make meaningful, long-term improvements, often feeling better, sleeping better, and regaining confidence in the process.
Q: Could you share a moment or case that reminded you of the power of combining clinical care with lifestyle support?
What stands out most to me are the quiet turning points, when someone begins to believe that change is actually possible. I remember a 47-year-old woman who came to me in perimenopause feeling completely defeated after years of trying different diets and exercise plans. She was struggling with weight gain, fatigue, poor sleep, and feeling like her body was “working against her.”
We started by looking at what was realistic for her at that stage of life, balancing hormonal changes, a busy job, and family commitments, and then built a simple, medical and practical plan around that. We adjusted her medication, supported her nutrition and sleep, and focused on achievable habits rather than perfection.
Over time, the changes added up. She began to feel more energetic, her sleep improved, and her confidence returned. The real success wasn’t just in her weight or lab results, it was in seeing her regain a sense of control and hope. She took back her power. For me, that’s what good obesity care is about: meeting people exactly where they are, using the right medical tools, and finding solutions that fit into real life.
Q: If you were to give one piece of guidance to someone beginning their weight loss journey while managing a chronic condition, what would it be, and why?
What excites me most about being part of Beyondbmi is helping people feel genuinely understood. Many of my patients, both women and men, are at a stage of life where they’re juggling work, family, stress, and the hormonal or metabolic changes that come with getting older. I get it. I hear them. I know how it feels to have good intentions but limited time, and how discouraging it can be when your body doesn’t respond the way it used to.
My goal is to make this process feel realistic and supportive. I want patients to feel that they’re not being judged or lectured, but guided, with clear medical advice, the right treatment options, and a plan that fits around real life. If I can help someone feel more energetic, sleep better, or simply regain confidence in their own body, that’s a huge win. Beyondbmi gives us the space to do exactly that, to bring medical science, empathy, and understanding together to help people feel like themselves again.
Q: Looking ahead, how are you excited to contribute to the Beyondbmi community and support meaningful change in the lives of patients?
I’m really excited about the opportunity to bring practical, real-world medicine into a space that’s constantly evolving. Beyondbmi is helping to change how we think about weight, not as a personal flaw or failing, but as something that deserves proper medical care and respect. I want to be part of that shift.
For me, it’s about helping people cut through the confusion and find an approach that actually works for them, based on evidence, but delivered with empathy and common sense. I love the idea of being part of a team that listens, learns, and keeps improving how we support people on their journey.
Ultimately, I want people to feel informed, empowered, and back in control of their health, not defined by their weight.
