Eating Disorders

Eating disorders and substance abuse are at the top of the list of the most common causes of serious, potentially fatal disorders among adolescents and college-age students—especially in women. To meet this growing challenge, the University of Florida (UF) has expanded its nationally renowned research and treatment facilities for psychiatric and addictive disorders by launching the Eating Disorder Recovery Center (EDRC).

Kevin Wandler, M.D., formerly the Chief Medical Officer of Arizona’s highly regarded Remuda Ranch, has joined UF as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine and newly appointed Director of Eating Disorders at EDRC; and will guide the new program. Since 1990, Dr. Wandler and his colleagues have treated over 10,000 eating disorder (ED) patients.

According to Dr. Wandler, “UF has taken a major leap forward by creating a new research and clinically driven approach to eating disorder treatment.  The EDRC will be able to implement new medical and behavioral health treatments based on their clear evidence of effectiveness, with the backing of an expanded eating disorders research staff and treatment capability.  The new model’s focus is on the discovery of the psychological and neurochemical roots of eating disorders, changing behavior through education, therapy and creating new treatments from our clinical and results—recovery.  Research to date has already begun to reveal the links between eating disorders, drug and food addiction. The University of Florida College of Medicine is clearly dedicated to reducing risk to its students, as well as other adults and adolescents who are afflicted with these diseases.”