Every day, individuals across our community dedicate their time, talents, and passion to making Lynchburg a better place to live. Whether through advocacy, volunteerism, nonprofit leadership, education, healthcare, mentorship, or community service, these local champions work tirelessly to uplift others and create meaningful change.

Lynchburg Living is proud to recognize these extraordinary individuals through our 2026 Community Champions program. This recognition celebrates those who go above and beyond to strengthen our community, support those in need, and make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Do you know someone whose dedication deserves to be recognized? We invite you to nominate the individuals who inspire, serve, and lead by example. Help us honor the people whose efforts make Lynchburg a stronger, more compassionate, and more connected community.

Submit your nomination today and help us celebrate the champions who make a difference every day.

The dates are : June 9 – August 4, 2026.

NOMINATIONS HAVE ENDED.

Eight Water-Focused Day Trips in Virginia

By: Abby Price

Summer isn’t complete without a few water-filled adventures, and Lynchburg happens to be perfectly positioned near a mix of underrated gems and popular escapes where you can swim, float, and explore, all within an hour or two of town. From waterfall hikes and river floats to peaceful afternoons spent fishing by a creek, these family-friendly outings are a perfect way to embrace summer at a slower pace.

Sherando Lake Recreation Area (Nelson County)

Tucked within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sherando Lake Recreation Area feels like the kind of place summer memories are made. The recreation area is centered around a 25-acre spring-fed lake where families gather to swim, spread out picnic blankets, and cool off after hiking the surrounding forest trails. 

Despite being one of the more well-known warm-weather escapes near Lynchburg, it still feels peaceful, especially on weekday mornings or later in the afternoon when the crowds thin out. Pack water shoes, bring a picnic lunch, and plan to spend a few hours soaking up the mountain scenery from the shoreline.

James River State Park (Gladstone)

Just down the road from Lynchburg, James River State Park offers the kind of easygoing summer adventure that doesn’t require a full weekend getaway to enjoy. Visitors can spend the day fishing along the shoreline, hiking wooded trails, or kayaking along the river. 

What makes the park especially memorable, though, is its designation as an International Dark Sky Park. While you can absolutely experience the park in a single-day trip, staying into the evening or even camping overnight adds another layer to the experience as the stars begin to emerge over the river and surrounding hills.

Otter Creek (Blue Ridge Parkway)

Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Otter Creek captures everything that makes summer road trips feel nostalgic. The drive alone is part of the experience, winding through mountain overlooks before arriving at a peaceful creek perfect for cooling off on a hot afternoon. Families often gather along the shallow water to splash around, skip rocks, or simply relax beneath the trees while listening to the creek rushing over the rocks. 

The nearby trails and picnic areas make it easy to turn a quick stop into a slower, more leisurely afternoon outdoors. Arriving earlier in the day is ideal during summer weekends, especially when parkway traffic tends to pick up.

Falling Springs Falls (Alleghany County)

Towering at 80 feet tall, Falling Springs Falls is one of those roadside stops that feels almost too beautiful to be real. Water spills dramatically over a rocky cliffside surrounded by lush greenery, creating a misty, cool atmosphere that feels especially refreshing during the peak of summer. 

Unlike some waterfall hikes that require miles of trekking, this one is easily accessible, making it a great option for families or anyone looking for a scenic stop without a strenuous journey. The viewing area is quick to reach, but lingering awhile is part of the experience. Visit after recent rainfall for the most impressive water flow, and don’t forget your camera because this is one of Virginia’s most photogenic waterfalls.

Crabtree Falls (Nelson County)

There’s a reason Crabtree Falls remains one of my favorite hikes near Lynchburg. The 3.3-mile out-and-back trail winds beside cascading waterfalls before climbing to sweeping mountain views at the top, rewarding hikers with both rushing water and panoramic scenery in one outing. Along the way, wooden bridges and overlooks make it easy to pause and appreciate the falls from different angles, especially after a recent rain when the water flow is strongest. 

Summer mornings are usually the best time to visit if you want cooler temperatures and fewer people on the trail. Bring hiking shoes and plenty of water, as parts of the climb can feel steep.

Douthat State Park (Millboro)

Douthat State Park stands out as a destination where outdoor recreation and history naturally come together. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park was established in 1936 and played a meaningful role in shaping the early development of the state park system across the United States. Today, it is known for its scenic views, fishing, hiking trails, and camping opportunities.

With a calm lake, cabin rentals, picnic areas, and family-friendly playgrounds, it feels like a true summer hangout tucked into the Alleghany Mountains. From a simple day visit to a full weekend stay, Douthat offers enough variety for all ages to settle in, slow down, and enjoy the outdoors at an easy pace.

Devil’s Bathtub (Scott County)

Hidden within the mountains of Southwest Virginia, Devil’s Bathtub is one of the most unforgettable summer adventures on this list. The 4-mile out-and-back hike follows a scenic creek through the forest, crossing shallow streams and rocky paths before eventually arriving at the famous swimming hole tucked beneath a small waterfall. 

Reaching it feels rewarding without being overly difficult, and the water makes the final destination feel almost unreal on a hot summer day. Because the trail involves multiple creek crossings, waterproof shoes are a must. Arriving early is also recommended, especially on weekends, when visitors flock here to swim, cool off, and experience one of Virginia’s most unique hidden gems.

Natural Bridge State Park / Cedar Creek Trail (Natural Bridge)

As a Virginia native, I’ve visited Natural Bridge State Park many times, and it’s one of those places that always brings me back to childhood afternoons spent outside exploring with family. There’s something timeless about spending a summer day here. 

The Cedar Creek Trail winds gently beneath towering trees and along the creek before leading you under the park’s iconic natural rock arch, one of Virginia’s most recognizable landscapes. Early mornings and evenings are especially quiet along the trail, which makes them the best times to go, especially in the height of summer when midday heat and crowds tend to pick up.  

Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers blends fresh ingredients, Southern baking traditions, and nearly 100 years of family history into desserts that feel like home.

Photos By: Ashlee Glen

Some family recipes are written on stained index cards and tucked into kitchen drawers. Others live entirely in memory.

For Delilah White and Ryan Davis, the team behind Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers, preserving Grandma Nellie Belle’s baking legacy meant spending two years translating decades of instinct, observation, and tradition into written recipes.

“It literally took me two full years to write down all of Grandma’s recipes that had lived only in my head,” said Davis, who serves as head baker of Ry’s Pies. “Every pie crust, cobbler, and dessert was learned by watching her hands, standing beside her in the kitchen, and hearing her say, ‘You have to feel it.'”

That legacy began long before the bakery itself. Some of Davis’ earliest memories involve gathering ingredients alongside cousins and family members. When the grandchildren wanted dessert, Grandma Nellie Belle had a simple response.

“If you want something sweet, go pick the berries and I’ll make it for you!”

The children would spend hours in the blackberry patch before returning home, where those berries became warm cobblers shared around a crowded family table. Today, those lessons still shape the business.

“We still believe in using fresh, quality ingredients, and we use fresh-picked fruit in our desserts,” Davis said. “More importantly, we strive to create the same feeling Grandma created around her table—a sense of comfort, connection, and love in every bite.”

That commitment to craftsmanship has earned recognition well beyond Southern Virginia. Among the bakery’s accolades is a win in the King Arthur Flour Harvest Competition for its Caramel Apple Crumb Pie. Another memorable moment came when a customer shared that a representative from Nothing Bundt Cakes had recommended Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers instead.

Yet awards are only part of the story. The bakery remains deeply rooted in the traditions that inspired it, from classic Sweet Potato Pie and Blackberry Cobbler to seasonal desserts that celebrate Virginia’s agricultural heritage.

If there is one dessert that captures the heart of the business, Davis points to the Sweet Potato Cheesecake. Built on Grandma Nellie Belle’s sweet potato pie recipe and paired with a homemade cream cheese filling, graham cracker crust, and signature Brown Suga Glaze, it represents both preservation and innovation.

“In many ways, our Sweet Potato Cheesecake is Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers on a plate,” Davis said. “It’s rooted in family history, handcrafted with care, and creatively reimagines tradition while staying true to the flavors and values that started it all.”

Visitors can find Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers each Saturday at the Lynchburg Community Market, where Davis and White continue sharing desserts inspired by nearly a century of family tradition. Whether it’s a slice of pie, a cobbler, or a cheesecake, every dessert is designed to offer something more than sweetness.

“We hope they’re experiencing a little piece of those summer afternoons in Grandma’s blackberry patch and the sweet moment of gathering around the table with the people you love.”  

Returning to the Creek

Nearly five years after Lynchburg Living first profiled author Leah Weiss, the Virginia writer is inviting readers back to the Appalachian world that first captured their imaginations.

Her newest novel, The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow, returns to the fictional community of Baines Creek, North Carolina, a place longtime readers will recognize from Weiss’s previous novels If the Creek Don’t Rise and All the Little Hopes. While the new release stands on its own, it also serves as a homecoming of sorts, revisiting familiar landscapes and beloved characters while exploring new mysteries hidden deep within the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Set during the summer of 1980, the story follows Kate Shaw, a schoolteacher who has spent a decade in Baines Creek but remains skeptical of the folklore and superstitions that shape the community. Her practical worldview is challenged when Birdie Rocas—a reclusive local woman often described as a witch—dies and leaves Kate an unusual inheritance: a collection of illuminated manuscripts, journals, and a mysterious Book of Truths that traces a lineage stretching back centuries to Scotland.

At the same time, Lydia Brown arrives in Appalachia carrying grief of her own. Once gifted with psychic visions, Lydia lost her abilities after the death of her parents and has come searching for Birdie in hopes of finding answers. Instead, she finds herself drawn into Birdie’s unfinished story and an unlikely partnership with Kate.

Together, the two women begin unraveling secrets hidden among forgotten graveyards, underground passageways, and mountain legends. What emerges is both a mystery and a meditation on grief, resilience, and the bonds that connect women across generations.

Weiss has long been celebrated for her ability to capture the complexity of Appalachian life without relying on stereotypes. Her stories are steeped in folklore and regional history, yet grounded in deeply human experiences. In The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow, she once again blends magical elements with emotional realism, creating a world where ghosts and legends feel as natural as the mountain landscapes they inhabit.

The novel also reflects Weiss’s enduring fascination with the stories communities tell themselves—and the truths buried beneath them. As Baines Creek struggles against decline, the characters confront questions about legacy, belonging, and what should be preserved when the past refuses to stay silent.

For readers who discovered Weiss through her earlier novels, the return to Baines Creek offers a welcome reunion. For newcomers, The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow provides an atmospheric introduction to a writer whose work continues to illuminate the beauty, hardship, and enduring mysteries of Appalachia.  

Needle Ninja adds color and tactile arts to downtown Lynchburg

By: Olivia Carter  |  Photos By: Ashlee Glen

When customers step through the doors of Needle Ninja, they are immediately welcomed by color.

The entryway, painted in alternating lavender and lilac stripes, is intentionally playful and is the first clue that this is not a traditional fabric store. Inside, sunlight pours through tall windows onto tables filled with vintage buttons sold by the ounce, bolts of linen and denim, sewing machines waiting for their next makers, and carefully curated cross-stitch kits featuring literary icons such as Jane Eyre, Mary Poppins, and Anne of Green Gables. 

It’s a space owner Lynne Forth says people often describe the same way: “happy, light-filled, airy.”

That atmosphere is exactly what Forth hoped to create when she opened Needle Ninja in downtown Lynchburg—a place where creativity feels approachable and sewing feels less like a niche hobby and more like an invitation.

“I’ve always had entrepreneurial goals and dreamed of having my own shop,” Forth said. “This really combines a few different passions and loves for me.”

For Forth, sewing is much more than a business model. It’s a language.

This began about 15 years ago, when she took her first sewing class while earning a degree in fashion merchandising. Though she had grown up watching her mother sew, she wasn’t sure at first whether the craft was for her.

That changed after making a simple pillowcase.

“I just thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I made a pillowcase with my own two hands, with just some thread and some fabric. This is incredible,’” she said. “And it just kind of took off from there.”

Her passion deepened while working at Liberty University, where she designed and created costumes for theater productions. There, she learned that fabric could tell stories before an actor ever spoke a line.

“I fell in love with color theory and what color can convey on stage,” she said. “What can I tell the audience without using words just by using fabric or shape or pattern?”

That fascination eventually shaped her graduate work in strategic communication, where she studied how clothing communicates identity and emotion. It also helped define the mission behind Needle Ninja: not just selling fabric, but teaching people how to make something meaningful.

“As a way of showing other people, this is something you can do, something you can be passionate about, use to make an income, or use to empower yourself,” Forth said. “If you are sewing something and it turns out well and you’re proud of it, it’s a beautiful way to gain confidence.”

Needle Ninja arrives at a time when handmade skills are experiencing renewed interest. In an age dominated by online shopping and fast fashion, Forth believes many people are craving something slower and more tactile.

“People want to make something with their own two hands,” she said. “They want to do something in person. They’re tired of trying to look things up on YouTube and not having someone next to them who can say, ‘That’s right, but if you do it this way, it’ll be even better.’”

She believes people are looking for even more than just sewing. They’re looking
for connection.

“People are craving community,” Forth said. “A lot of arts can feel isolating because you’re often doing them alone. Here, you get the creative world and community together.”

Some of the vintage fabrics displayed throughout the store belonged to Forth’s late grandmother, an avid collector and sewer.

“The fact that we’re getting to use that again is really, really special,” she said. “It kind of makes it so that she’s all over the store with us.”

Her mother’s influence is even more visible.

Forth describes her mother as both a lifelong maker and one of her biggest inspirations. A master of Norwegian Hardanger embroidery, or Hardangersøm, her mother now spends part of the year in Lynchburg helping teach at Needle Ninja.

“She’s one of my best friends,” Forth said. “To be able to do this with her, to give her a space where she can teach people and meet people, is just so special.”

That family legacy helps explain why Needle Ninja feels less like a store and more like a gathering place. Customers wander in for different reasons. Some are experienced sewists thrilled to have a dedicated downtown creative space. Others are complete beginners who saw the shop’s bright windows and simply got curious.

“We’ve had people walk in and say, ‘I saw the word needle and wondered what that meant,’” Forth said with a laugh. “And then we get people who say, ‘My grandmother sewed all our clothes growing up, and I’d love to carry that on for my children.’”

Needle Ninja is built for both groups.

Its large communal cutting table, a feature many home sewists don’t have space for, invites customers to spread out and work. Rows of sewing machines sit ready for classes and open studio sessions. The goal, Forth says, is not just to teach people to sew, but to create a place where they want to stay.

That mission also has an environmental edge. Forth is outspoken about the waste generated by fast fashion and hopes sewing can offer an alternative.

“There’s this steady pipeline of cheaply made garments that’s taking up landfills,” she said. “For me, it’s not always about making something cheaper than buying it. It’s about having something unique to you.”

That uniqueness, she believes, especially resonates with younger generations.

“Gen Z and millennials are looking for something personalized,” she said. “What’s more personalized than making your own clothes?”

Forth’s ambitions extend beyond retail. She hopes to launch a sponsorship program that would allow local middle school, high school, and college-age students to take sewing classes for free, funded by businesses and community donors.

“I would love to see local companies and philanthropists invest in kids who want to learn this skill,” she said. “It could become a career, a side hustle, or just something that gives them confidence and purpose.”

She also envisions future summer camps, after-school programs, and an expanded roster of instructors so students can learn a wider range of textile arts.

“My goal is not to always be the one teaching every class,” she said. “I’m always learning, myself. There’s always someone who knows something different, and I want our students to benefit from that.”

For now, though, Forth is focused on what’s directly in front of her, opening the doors each day and watching people discover, sometimes for the first time, the joy of making something by hand.  

Unsalted Water Co. celebrates the best of lake life

By: Jeremy Angione / Photos Courtesy: Unsalted Water Co.

Although many Central Virginia residents have to drive a few hours for a relaxing day at the beach, local apparel brand Unsalted Water Co. celebrates the lake day activities just within reach. Founder Michelle Novak started Unsalted Water Co. earlier this year with a hope of curating all the feelings the lake gives her into fun and fashionable designs.

“Unsalted Water Co. isn’t just apparel to me,” Novak said. “It’s a lifestyle rooted in memories, tranquility, freedom, and the feeling you get every time you step out on a dock or look out at the water. That is the emotional heartbeat behind everything I create.”

Despite its recent launch, Novak insists that Unsalted Water Co. was brewing as an idea for years. Fun and formative lake experiences throughout her life helped shape the future of the company in her mind.

“From learning to ski on Lake Lanier, vacations spent on Lake Cumberland, houseboating on Lake Havasu, time spent on Lake Erie and Norris Lake, and now building my brand around Smith Mountain Lake, I realized that there were many brands that celebrated the ocean lifestyle,
but not a national brand that celebrates lake life for everyone,” Novak said.

For Novak, starting her brand was not meant to simply highlight logos or designs. Unsalted Water Co. means to encapsulate the feelings of being on the lake and making memories however you and your loved ones choose to.

“Our core demographic is really anyone who feels emotionally connected to lake life, but especially adults who see the lake as part of their identity and lifestyle,” Novak said.

Unsalted Water Co. has several unique collections to highlight specific lake staples and Activities.

“Every collection has a personality behind it,” Novak said. “Wags on Water celebrates the time with our furry family members in and around the lake or Sips Ahoy is for those who indulge in their favorite beverage around the water.”

Unsalted Water Co. will also be launching a new collection called Wake Warrior. This newest collection will celebrate the more athletic lake-goers seeking a thrill by wakeboarding.

Currently, Unsalted Water Co. apparel is only available online. According to Novak, the brand has already seen success from local support and nationwide. Despite originating with Smith Mountain Lake, Novak assured that Unsalted Water Co. is for anyone who enjoys lake life anywhere.

“We have customers from the West Coast to the East Coast that include: Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia, to name just a few,” Novak said.

While the majority of Unsalted Water Co.’s offerings are shirts, sweatshirts, and hats, Novak wants to expand the brand to feature more accessories, experiential marketing, and ways to give back to the community.

“We also plan to become more involved locally through lake events, festivals, pop-up opportunities, collaborations, and future lake conservation initiatives,” Novak said.

Despite the Unsalted Water Co.’s youth, Novak believes expansion beyond Smith Mountain Lake is a distinct possibility.

“One of my biggest goals is to continue to expand Unsalted Water Co. into a full national lake lifestyle brand, not just apparel,” Novak said.

A small but important step to that larger nationwide goal is continuing to earn spots in retail spaces and boutiques that specialize in lake lifestyle products.

Although the ambition seems fast-paced, Novak has been intentional about every step of the business. She says that she’s worn many hats to propel the business forward, including creative director, customer service, marketing, and social media.

The products themselves are especially curated to be both quality and affordable.

“I also wanted the apparel itself to feel boutique quality—soft fabrics, premium blanks, and designs that people genuinely want to wear on and off the water,” Novak said. “I’m very intentional about the fit, feel, colors, and overall aesthetic because I want people to feel the difference when they put it on.”

Aside from curated collections which highlight different aspects of lake life, Unsalted Water Co. also plans to roll out customization options. Customers will be able to create custom apparel with the lake names of their choice.

“Since lake life is such a personal experience tied to specific memories and traditions, I wanted our customers to feel even more connected to the places that they love most,” Novak said.

While Unsalted Water Co. continues to grow, the most evident constant is Novak’s love for Smith Mountain Lake.

“The Smith Mountain Lake community has been extremely supportive, and that means so much to me because living on the lake for the past five years has profoundly shaped the heart, lifestyle, and identity of Unsalted Water Co.,” Novak said.  

To check out Unsalted Water Co.’s apparel collections, go to unsaltedwaterco.com.

Hill City native shares his passion for bringing the community together through biking.

By: Megan L. Horst  |  Photos By: Ashlee Glen

For Jeremy Ramsey, owner of The Bike Porch, opening the shop was a part of a larger dream. A dream to provide people with a way to connect through enjoying nature and bikes. He hopes the shop gives people an opportunity and a place to come together to ride bikes and learn about bikes. Before he opened the shop, he enjoyed riding bikes himself and started several community ride events that have brought riders together over the past five years.  

“It’s definitely a passion to share what I love,” Ramsey said. 

The shop, located on Burnbridge Road in Forest, also sponsors several rides from the store throughout the week. Although the shop is less than a year old, Ramsey said bikes are not new to him or his team. 

“I have one guy [on staff] who was at a previous bike shop for 49 years, and we worked together,” Ramsey said. “I used to manage another bike shop for nine years.” 

They have two other mechanics who are also knowledgeable about bikes and have 20 years of experience. 

“When you walk in our shop, you’re talking to a rider,” Ramsey said. “We all ride bikes—we’re all in love with bicycles.” 

Their shop offers a variety of services, including bike repair and the sale of new and used bikes. 

“Bikes have gotten expensive, just like everything else,” he said. “We want people to have quality bikes. So if you can have a bike that’s 10 years old, that’s way more quality than what you can pick up in a box store; we feel like you’ll have a better experience.” 

He hopes everyone who wants to ride will have that opportunity. Whether you buy a new, used, or consigned bike from them, he explained that they not only sell you a bike, but they also offer their expertise.

They sell a variety of bike styles from kids’ bikes to mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes, and electric bikes.

“In the last three years, the market has flipped with recreational bikes,” he said. “I would say seven out of 10 recreational bikes we sell are e-bikes.” He attributes this growing trend to the older population, largely due to retirees wanting to get back into riding bikes.

He explained that this is a great area with so many trails, perfect for biking, including Blackwater Creek, Percival’s Island in Lynchburg, and others in Roanoke and Farmville.

“A lot of folks are buying these e-bikes and going to check out these trails, and instead of being able to ride five miles now, they are having the same workout, but they’re being able to see the whole trail,” Ramsey said. An e-bike is equipped with an electric motor to assist the rider with pedaling.

“E-bikes are cool because you can get whatever you want,” Ramsey said. “There are different assist modes in them, so you can have zero assist and ride it normally…up to a turbo on them.” Ramsey is confident in the bikes the shop sells, even the used ones, and they offer a 90-day guarantee.
In addition to a wide selection of adult bikes, the shop also offers bikes for children.

“One of our number one goals is to get kids on bikes, and quality bikes,” Ramsey said. His concern with bikes purchased from major box stores is not only the quality of the materials used, but they are often not put together correctly.

“Bikes can be a lot of fun, but they can also be dangerous,” he said. “I always recommend, if you buy a bike from a box store, bring it in, let us check it out.” Most of the kids’ bikes he sells are used, since kids outgrow their bikes so quickly.

“A lot of times I provide a bike that is more affordable than a box store bike, and higher quality,” Ramsey said. Driven by a passion for making bikes accessible to everyone, they created a Kids Bike Fund.

“In the past seven months, we’ve averaged giving away one bike per month,” he said. The giveaways are not always exclusively children’s bikes.

“During Christmas, we gave away two bikes,” he said. One bike was donated by a customer, and the other by Ramsey, allowing them to give bikes to two families for Christmas.

“It makes my day when we can put people on bikes,” Ramsey said. He believes that everyone needs to take a break from technology for at least an hour a day to “unplug” and enjoy exercise and
the outdoors.

“We want to create community,” he said. “We want people to want to ride bikes and hang out.”  

The Bike Store is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Four women took control of their health and happiness by getting a gastric sleeve or bypass surgery. These surgeries kickstarted lifestyle adjustments that have enabled each woman to live her best life. 

Written by Stacey Manganelli / Photos courtesy of Adriana Sorenson

Opting for Surgery

Elizabeth Kiefer, Kristen Guthrie, Katie Kelley, and Adriana Sorensen struggled with their weight for multiple reasons: pregnancies that came close together, food addiction, or an inability to incorporate exercise into daily life.

After trying tons of weight loss programs and pharmaceutical-strength pills and shots, they pursued weight loss surgery at between 300 and 350 pounds. They were nervous for surgery, but also excited and hopeful that it would be the thing that finally worked. 

The Myth of the Quick Fix

Weight loss surgery requires profound lifestyle changes. Even when surgery goes optimally, it takes a physical and psychological toll on surgical patients. Recovery and adapting to the new body present myriad challenges. 

Elizabeth Kiefer has consequently felt frustrated over the years that people view weight loss surgery as an “easy way out.” After surgery, she struggled with transitioning from eating a regular-sized meal to one the size of an egg. She also had to learn how to incorporate exercise into her daily life. 

Katie Kelley got so sick in post-op that she spent three additional nights in the hospital. Even once she was discharged and finally went home, she couldn’t pick her three small children up or do daily activities, and she didn’t have a support network. 

Both she and Sorensen also struggled with feeling overweight even when they weren’t anymore, a condition known as dysmorphia. 

Guthrie drank mostly protein shakes and water for six weeks before and after her surgery and had to train herself to stop eating before she felt full. She also experienced temporary but intense changes in hormones caused by rapid weight loss. 

No one had it easy. However, after surviving a period of disillusionment, and in Kelley’s case even “immediate regret,” they have made it through to the other side. 

Health and Career Benefits

Prior to surgery, Kiefer was unable to get herself up off the floor independently. After losing 200 pounds, she started incorporating more movement into her daily routine than she ever thought she’d be capable of. 

To get into shape, she started Zumba and was immediately hooked, transported by the music and movement. After honing her skills for a few years, she got certified to teach. She eventually took over teaching the very same class in which she started as a student. She said, “I never thought I’d be able to enjoy exercising, let alone become a fitness instructor. Now I can’t go a day without working out!”

Kelley said that her health would be worse if not for the surgery. It has healed her heart condition, prediabetes, and Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.

For Sorensen, the changes after surgery felt like a “complete 180.” She learned how important protein is in losing weight, started looking more closely at what is actually in food, and cut out processed foods over time. 

She will likely need a knee replacement at some point, but losing 150 pounds has greatly reduced her knee strain. Her doctor believes she’ll be able to push the surgery off for several more years as a result. 

Guthrie once “despised” her body, but after her weight loss, she wore a bikini for the first time since she was a teenager and had boudoir pictures taken. 

Her newfound confidence even helped her launch a new career. She said, “I landed an amazing job in medical device sales that I never would have had the confidence to even apply for before surgery.” 

Helping Others

These women have turned their transformations into a tool that supports not just them, but also others.

Dozens of people escape the daily grind for an hour each week when taking Kiefer’s Zumba classes. In a cortisol-fueled world, gym patrons forget their troubles and become immersed in the same music and movement that made Kiefer fall in love with this type of dance. They described Kiefer’s classes as “pure fun,” and Kiefer as “pouring her heart and soul” into her role as an instructor. 

Kelley and Sorensen are grateful that they’re able to more fully participate in their kids’ lives since losing weight. Kelley coaches her kids’ sports and provides better food options for them since she started eating healthier herself. 

Sorensen has a nonverbal 15-year-old autistic son. Because he will never live independently, Sorensen plans to be his caretaker for many more years. She needed to be healthier to care for him, and now she is. 

Sorensen’s daughter is also benefitting from her mom’s increased fitness level. She and Sorensen bonded by running a 4K together two years after her surgery—something Sorensen never thought would be possible.

In her job in medical device sales, Guthrie experiences the satisfaction of educating surgeons, doctors and hospital staff on new medical technologies. Thanks to her work, these technologies can get into the hands of those who need them and will benefit from them. 

Despite encountering different health challenges as a result of the surgery, the gastric bypass and gastric sleeve have opened up life possibilities far beyond what they once hoped for. 

Knowing how hard recovery was and how many challenges they would face, would they do it again?

“Absolutely,” they agreed.

We’re excited to present this year’s Top Doctors, recognized by the colleagues who know their work best.

Through peer voting, this list highlights outstanding physicians across our region, reflecting the strength, depth, and collaboration of our local healthcare community. These professionals play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of patients right here at home, and we’re proud to spotlight the incredible practitioners and partners who make high-quality care accessible in our area.

This list is meant as a guide and a starting point in your search for a physician. There are many reasons excellent doctors may not appear here, including hospital affiliations, recent moves, or specialties not captured in the survey. These results do not suggest you should change from a doctor with whom you have a positive relationship. When choosing a physician, consider all available resources, including recommendations from family and friends.

Methodology & Disclaimers

Summary.
DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers. To create the “top doctors” list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-nomination process, also referencing government sources. In addition, DataJoe often conducts media analysis through Internet research to factor in public perception. DataJoe then tallied the nominations per category for each doctor to isolate the top nominees in each category. After collecting nominations and factoring additional information from the media analysis, DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had a current, active license status with the state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a doctor’s current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that doctor was excluded from the list. In addition, any doctor who has been disciplined, up to the time-frame of our review process for an infraction by the state regulatory board, was excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to the magazine staff for final review and adjustments.  

Final note.
We recognize that there are many good doctors who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding doctors in the region and the results of our research campaign. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective doctors may not appear on the list.

Disclaimers.
DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe.

Questions?
For research/methodology questions, contact the research team at surveys@datajoe.com.

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