What We Do

Under the direction and vision of founder Emily Cooper, MD, Seattle Performance Medicine (2003) and Cooper Center for Metabolism (2015) have pioneered and established an innovative healthcare platform focusing on a preventative model specializing in human performance and metabolic health.  

The four general pillars of care are vitality improvement, child and family health, disease prevention (heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and dementia), and athletic performance. These touch points represent specific areas of patients' interests and areas of focus, but the care provided to each patient screens for and includes each of these elements. Typical reasons for patients to initiate treatment include obesity (number one reason), medical risk factors related to blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol, and energy-related problems, such as fatigue, athletic or cognitive performance issues, and sleep problems. 

One of the critical assets of the model is the compelling, innovative, science-based treatment protocols Dr. Cooper has developed over decades. Another indispensable tool that enables highly effective care is the proprietary software our team has developed, which quickly analyzes objective data and tracks risk factors and progress over time. It allows for individual and aggregate analysis of patient outcomes, with the ability to segment data based on demographics, age, gender, and duration of treatment. The software provides real-time analysis, assessments, and a clinical pilot feature for providers. It enables the delivery of effective, comprehensive metabolic care, empowering patients with powerful tools and expert guidance and recommendations from the healthcare team. 

The model emphasizes the analysis of multiple medical objective diagnostic variables, including but not limited to lab assessments of neurotransmitters, metabolic hormones, and advanced cardiometabolic risk markers. Providers educate their patients on the most effective and appropriate personalized medical and lifestyle strategies to restore the balance of these indicators, which drive root causes of preventable disease. Most objective data flows from the EMR to the database, reducing the need for manual data entry. The model relies on established (gold standard) and our proprietary algorithms to help guide treatment for the best outcomes. We assist patients in filtering their own data and learning the proper interpretation of body cues for developing more accurate physiologic intuition. In addition to our provider portal, we are planning a patient portal to integrate patient input data and enable patient viewing of medical data and reports outside of appointment times with their provider.   

Seattle Performance Medicine and Cooper Center for Metabolism offer a more comprehensive and scientific approach to metabolic health than the standard medical model. Focusing on the metabolic system and its interactions with other bodily systems makes it possible to effectively identify and target underlying causes of excess weight and preventable disease. The model has shown exceptional results for thousands of patients over a decade, far exceeding success rates from any other documented model. Our patient outcomes include a significantly lower rate of preventable death and disease, such as heart attacks, strokes, and new-onset diabetes, and boast impressive rates of reversal of excess body weight and improved body composition for patients with overweight and obesity. The model's effectiveness is a critical benefit since heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women in the US, and obesity and diabetes impact nearly half our population. 

Technology, including telemedicine, is heavily utilized in the model resulting in a streamlined approach. The healthcare team helps patients recognize the factors determining their overall health and track their progress. The results speak for themselves, proving the care's positive impact and contributing to patient and provider satisfaction and commitment to this model. 

The Cooper Center and Seattle Performance Medicine have successfully trained new providers, educated the public, and developed medical strategies to prevent disease, optimize physiologic performance, and medically address metabolic dysfunction and excess weight. Dissatisfaction with the care provided is a rare reason for discontinuation, highlighting the success and satisfaction of patients within this model. 

Seattle Performance Medicine and Cooper Center for Metabolism aim to explore appropriate avenues to expand their model, further resonate with patients and continue positively impacting healthcare.