Meet the Noom Clinical Team: Dr. Karen Mann, M.D., Medical Director

As Medical Director at Noom, Dr. Karen Mann, M.D., brings 12 years of medical experience and deep women’s health expertise to her role. We asked Dr. Mann about her experience, what it will take to build a healthier future, and why supporting women’s health is vital to improving population health.

1. Tell us about your professional experience prior to joining Noom.

I spent over a decade providing care to women as an obstetrician/gynecologist in both inpatient and outpatient settings. My work spanned a wide range of services — from more acute care to general well-woman visits emphasizing prevention, as well as family planning. I had the privilege of supporting women through many stages of life and health, which gave me a deep appreciation for the complexity and individuality of each patient’s experience.   

Over time, I felt drawn to expand my approach to care. My own journey with health and well-being inspired me to explore how mindset, lifestyle, and behavioral patterns influence outcomes far beyond the exam room. I pursued training in life coaching and became board-certified in Obesity Medicine to provide more holistic, integrative care. Through that process, I came to believe that sustainable health doesn’t come from treating symptoms alone — it comes from empowering people to change the way they think about and care for themselves.

2. Why did you join Noom?

It brought together everything I had been passionate about throughout my professional journey. It was the perfect intersection of all the things I’ve learned along my path — psychology, behavior change, holistic obesity care, including lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy when appropriate, and a deep commitment to women’s health. At Noom, I get to bring my full self to the table: using my skills as a physician focused on women’s health and weight management while also sharing the insights I’ve gained as a coach. I love that I get to do it all here.

3. Why do you think behavior change is so critical in driving lasting health outcomes?

Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them,” and I’ve always loved that quote. When something in our lives isn’t working, life sends us nudges to help us change course. It’s not always easy, but when we stop and take an honest look at what’s helping us — and what’s holding us back — we create space to try something different. That’s where real change starts. With the right support and mindset, those shifts in behavior can ripple out into every part of our lives. That’s how we grow — not just for the moment, but for the long run. And that’s what drives real, lasting health.

4. What do you feel plays the biggest role in building a healthier future?

Consistency is everything. It’s not about grand gestures — it’s about small, intentional choices made day after day. Simple habits, practiced regularly, can lead to powerful, long-term shifts that live in our bodies and shape our health for years to come. When those small changes are sustainable and rooted in self-compassion, they become the foundation of a healthier, more resilient future.

That’s why programs like those offered through Noom Health are so powerful. We help payers support their populations with solutions that make it easier to address the day-to-day challenges of reshaping habits one step at a time. Change is hard, but we try to make it a little easier through the combination of psychology-based content that really gets at the “why” behind behaviors, targeted health coaching to support new habit formation, and AI-powered tools that make it simpler to build and maintain healthy habits long term.

5. Why is supporting women’s health so pivotal in driving better health outcomes?

While everyone’s health matters, women hold a uniquely powerful role in shaping the health of our society. Investing in women’s health doesn’t just improve one person’s well-being — it creates ripple effects that transform families, communities, and future generations. Women influence every life stage, from birth through aging, often serving as caregivers, nurturers, and decision-makers. We are the glue that holds communities together. When we care for women —through education, prevention, and empowerment — we care for all of us. It’s one of the most impactful ways we can build a healthier world.

Beyond the social and cultural importance of supporting women, the impact on the workplace cannot be overstated. As of 2023, women made up 47% of the U.S. workforce.¹ Having access to benefits that support their unique health needs is critical to things like retention, job satisfaction, and even productivity. For example, the fastest growing segment of the workforce is menopausal women.² Without the right support to manage and treat their symptoms, many women consider leaving the workforce altogether. A survey by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 13% of respondents had actually quit their job due to menopause symptoms, and 15% considered it.³ This is a real concern for employers and it is starting to become an even bigger public conversation.

References:

1. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/02/27/for-womens-history-month-a-look-at-gender-gains-and-gaps-in-the-us/
2. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41407-022-0893-z
3. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/inclusion-diversity/viewpoint-understanding-the-impact-of-menopause-in-the-workplace