Dr. Vanessa Lynn Everett, MD

I chose Dr. Everett for my son because her website listed Health at Every Size® (HAES®) values. As a HAES®-aligned professional and survivor of medical trauma, I expected affirming care. I had previously received care from her that seemed respectful. But when she saw my Black son—accompanied by his Black father—and thought no one was looking, her approach changed entirely. My son, a brilliant Black teen in a larger body, went in for a routine visit to receive four immunizations for college. Instead of focusing on the reason for the visit, Dr. Everett made repeated comments about his weight, suggested he should eat fewer sweets, and expressed concern about his liver and kidneys before even seeing labs. She dismissed his natural sleep rhythm and told him to adjust his schedule before school, implying laziness or irresponsibility. In reality, he’s never had trouble meeting early morning commitments. She went on to imply the most positive thing about starting college was that it would… get him walking, and told him to focus more on growing tall than out—a shaming, size-based sentiment that reinforced the idea that thinness equals worthiness. Dr. Everett failed to acknowledge that my son had been accepted to every college he applied to and is entering a competitive engineering program. Instead of affirming his brilliance, she reduced him to a body in need of fixing. As a parent, I’ve spent years helping my children build healthy, shame-free relationships with food. We follow intuitive eating principles, honoring hunger, fullness, and emotional needs without moralizing food. Dr. Everett’s comments directly undermined that work, and worse, she told us she only practices weight-inclusive care with adults—not youth. That’s not HAES®. That’s bias. When my spouse asked to reschedule bloodwork, Dr. Everett said she was “worried we wouldn’t come back.” After being treated like this, why would we? Comments like these are not harmless. Weight stigma—especially when it comes from a provider—can have lifelong impact. Kids internalize it. Shame like this increases the risk for eating disorders, which are the deadliest mental illness, and intentional weight loss is the biggest predictor. What happened in that room can be a trigger. This was not care. This was harm. Dr. Everett violated several core HAES® principles and elements of the 2024 Health at Every Size® Framework of Care: Respectful Care: She made harmful assumptions rooted in fatphobia and racial bias. Patient Autonomy: She disregarded my son’s rhythms and reality, projecting laziness and incapability. Informed Consent: She attempted to initiate testing without collaborative discussion, then responded with pressure. Compassionate Care: She showed no sense of affirmation for a kid who has so much to praise—just judgment. Care for All Ages: Her refusal to provide weight-inclusive care to youth violates HAES®’s most basic values. Provider Responsibility: In front of a medical student, she modeled harm—not healing. Systemic Anti-Fat Bias: Rather than challenge bias in healthcare, she reinforced it. In the midst of all of this, there was one bright moment: Nurse Shay. She is a Black woman who treated my son with warmth and affirmation, praised his college acceptance success, and shared that her own child is a senior at the same school. When my son became nauseous after his shots, she was prepared, helped him breathe, and stayed by his side. Her presence made a meaningful difference. He later said he wished the whole appointment had felt like his time with her. It didn’t. And we’re moving on. Our community has rallied around us. We’ve already identified a HAES®-aligned, queer-affirming, anti-oppressive provider. They exist. And they help repair the damage from experiences like this. Physicians take an oath to do no harm. What happened in that room was harm. If you’re seeking affirming, weight-inclusive, and trauma-informed care—especially for marginalized youth—I urge you t

We Seniors have been Dr Everett’s patients since moving here 7 years ago. (I interviewed 3 before joining her practice). She is bright, knowledgeable & kind. Asks questions, & has given advice which we have followed & appreciate going to a Dr we can completely trust.

Dr. Everett has been the best doctor I’ve seen. She listens, is empathetic, and asks great questions.

I love going to see Dr. Everett! She’s always kind and asks lots of questions, she’s very knowledgeable and always professional.

Dr. Everett is fantastic. She listens, asks questions, and is really gentle with patients who need extra care.

Dr Everett was very nice and she listens to what you say. Concerned and caring. Glad I found her and the best part is she takes care of all health needs for women.

Very rude.