Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adult
Languages
- English
Gender
MaleAbout W. Scott Butsch
Biography
Dr. Butsch is the Director of Obesity Medicine in the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. He is a former Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and worked at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Weight Center from 2007-2017. He completed a clinical nutrition fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and was the first physician in the U.S. to complete subspecialty fellowship in obesity medicine, first established at the HMS/MGH in 2007. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and a Fellow of The Obesity Society.
Dr. Butsch‘s clinical interests focus in the pharmacological management of obesity and the use of combination pharmacological therapies in bariatric surgical patients and special populations with severe obesity. He is an author of numerous chapters and manuscripts and lectures nationally and internationally on many topics in obesity and clinical nutrition.
His academic interests primarily focus on obesity education. He was selected to be the Curtis Prout Fellow in Medical Education at HMS in 2010 and was the Director of Education in the division of Nutrition at HMS from 2014-2018. Dr. Butsch is a national leader in both obesity and nutrition education and his passion for teaching can be seen in the numerous educational programs he has created, the several professional committees on which he serves and chairs, and the Harvard CME Blackburn course in obesity medicine and the Cleveland Clinic’s Obesity Summit which he co-directs.
In line with his passion for the education and treatment of obesity, Dr. Butsch is a strong advocate for his patients. As the Chair of the Committee on Nutrition and Physical Activity in the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Chair of the Advocacy Committee in The Obesity Society, Dr. Butsch actively participates at both the state and federal levels to reduce weight stigma and discrimination and improve coverage and reimbursement for the treatment of obesity. He hopes to be engaged in a similar fashion in the State of Ohio.
Education & Board Certifications
Education
- Fellowship: Massachusetts General Hospital, 2008
- Fellowship: University of Alabama, 2007
- Residency: State University of New York, 2005
- Residency: State University of New York, 2004
- Medical Education: University of Buffalo, 2001
- Graduate School: State University of New York, 1996
Research & Publications
See publications for this provider. (Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists collaborate with industry to advance medical breakthroughs. These partnerships help commercialize discoveries for public benefit while maintaining scientific integrity. To ensure transparency and minimize potential bias, Cleveland Clinic reviews these relationships and publicly discloses when physicians/scientists receive significant compensation for consulting, serve in fiduciary roles, receive royalties, or hold equity interests related to their work. We manage potential conflicts through approval processes, annual reporting, and targeted management plans.
As of 2025-01-07, Dr. Butsch has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below.
Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Butsch receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:
- Boehringer Ingelheim
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
Insurances Accepted
Video
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
88 ratings, 22 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/11/2026
Dr Butsch is incredible in his response. He seems to need additional staff to move things along. Multiple unanswered requests during his absence from the hospital are unacceptable for me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/11/2026
Dr. Butsch is knowledgeable, professional, caring, and respectful. Could give coaching to a wide array of colleagues.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/11/2026
Dr Butsch is by far the best doctor I have ever interacted with. He is the only doctor that actually understands the science and medicine and remembers what I have been through. He is open and honest and highly knowledgeable in his field of expertise. I respect him immensely. Dr Butsch is an invaluable asset to the Clinic.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/19/2026
A very knowledgeable and concerned doctor showed a lot of empathy and helped me with a plan to reach my goals.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/19/2026
Dr Butsch and his staff are incredible. A special acknowledgment of Sherri.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/8/2026
Dr. Butsch is the best doctor I have ever had the pleasure of seeing for care. He speaks to me and actively listens about what is going on with my health. He works with me to decide an ongoing health plan. He is truly one of a kind.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/24/2025
Dr. Butsch was easy to talk to and he listened to me. He seems very knowledgeable and wants to help his patience get healthier.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/16/2025
Best CCF doctor ever, always listens to my concerns and problems
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/9/2025
Dr Butsch is always fantastic.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/24/2025
Dr Butsch is a gem in the department. He truly cares for you and works hard to help you achieve your goals. He is a wonderful advocate for the CCF employee and fights the EHP to get the care we deserve as an employee. He is incredibly smart and the clinic would be at a loss without him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/19/2025
Dr. Butsch listens very well. He's an excellent problem solver, patient advocate, and educator of Bariatric medicine. He always teaches me something new about my disease, and makes me feel seen and heard. That means a lot to people who have battled weight issues for a good portion of their lives. I value our visits and discussion.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/10/2025
Had a very tough time getting Cleveland Clinic to reach Dr. Butsch to get my Metformin refilled. It took many phone calls and some MyChart messages to get attention that I was low on my medication. Finally, received a message from Dr. Butsch that he filled my medication.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/8/2025
The best doctor every I love him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
Dr Butsch is very encouraging and keeps me motivated on my weight loss and health journey.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/30/2025
Doctor ButschIs the most awesome doctor. So understanding professional kind and caring.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/30/2025
THE DOCTOR WAS THE BEST PART OF THE VISIT. TOOK HIS TIME AND ANSWERED ALL QUESTIONS AND WENT THROUGH PLAN
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/28/2025
Dr. Butsch and his group were amazing. I felt respected and heard and like there was hope for my issue instead of blame.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2025
Dr. Butsch is a fantastic provider. He is engaged, focused, incredibly knowledgeable on his specialty, and not afraid to push into new territories for weight loss given his profound experience in the field. There is no one standard way for him. I truly appreciate that, as I feel my situation is unique and I'm sure many others are. I have learned so much from Dr. Butsch and his team. It is always a pleasure to meet with him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/26/2025
Dr. Butsch takes his time to analyze the health of a patient as a whole, not just a single issue. He's able to formulate treatment plans and offer options to his patients based on their level of comfort without sacrificing a healthy outcome.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/18/2025
Dr. Butsch always takes time to hear my concerns, talk through any changes in medication regimen and make sure I am comfortable with our game plan before I leave.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/21/2025
Utmost patient respect from a physician who listens, hears, and genuinely seems to care about his patients. An enigma in today's healthcare circle.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/7/2025
Dr Butsch is phenomenal and very responsive and effective