Dr. Bethany J. Gaffka is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Psychology at the University of Michigan Medical School, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. She is the Director of the Pediatric Weight Management Clinic and serves as an attending pediatric psychologist. Dr. Gaffka provides evidence-based assessment and treatment to youth with obesity.

Dr. Gaffka has established a successful research program focused on three areas within pediatric obesity: 1) exploring how to improve retention in pediatric weight management and adolescent bariatric surgery programs, 2) using her expertise to inform training of psychologists in behavioral pediatric weight management intervention, and 3) determining how to tailor interventions to improve treatment outcomes. Dr. Gaffka’s research has been supported by the American Heart Association (Midwest Affiliate) and the University of Michigan.

Dr. Gaffka has a longstanding commitment to the education and training of learners at the University of Michigan. Her primary educational activities involve the clinical supervision, teaching, and mentoring of pediatric psychology postdoctoral fellows, interns, and graduate students in the assessment and behavioral treatment of obesity. Dr. Gaffka served as the Director of the Pediatric Psychology Graduate Student Practicum Program from 2010 to 2025. In addition to pediatric psychology learners, Dr. Gaffka is also involved with teaching of medical students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows.