Lifestyle medicine clinicians emerging in leadership positions nationwide   

Lifestyle medicine clinicians are increasingly filling leadership positions in national health organizations and promoting lifestyle medicine throughout those organizations in powerful and systemic ways. 

As principal medical advisor at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research since 2014, Rachel Dolhun, MD, DipABLM, sits at the nexus of Parkinson’s disease research, care and community. She considers it her duty to learn from people who live with Parkinson’s, as well as those who treat them or study the disease. 

Among what she learned was that there is confusion about the best diet or exercise for people with Parkinson’s. She also witnessed the damaging effects of social isolation during the COVID pandemic. To prepare herself to better address those issues, she earned certification in lifestyle medicine in 2022 from the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM).  

Dr. Dolhun is one of a growing number of lifestyle medicine-certified clinicians or American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) members who hold leadership positions within major health organizations. Whereas it was once rare to encounter leaders with foundational knowledge in lifestyle medicine, today lifestyle medicine-trained leaders are found in organizations from coast-to-coast, even worldwide.  

Anyone, regardless of position or title, can lead. But holding a formal leadership position in a health organization can help lifestyle medicine clinicians amplify and integrate the principles of lifestyle medicine in powerful and transformative ways. ACLM will highlight the many ways that lifestyle medicine clinicians are inspiring change through leadership in 2025 as part of its new “Leadership Matters” membership campaign. 

“Aside from educating patients and families with Parkinson’s, I am fortunate to also help educate and train the next generation of Parkinson’s doctors,” Dr. Dolhun said. “I incorporate lifestyle medicine sessions–a missing piece of medical training–into educational programming. And internally, at The Michael J. Fox Foundation, staff can call on me for clinical- and lifestyle-related input as we develop programming and communicate key messages.” 

More lifestyle medicine initiatives 

ACLM members or diplomates have announced lifestyle-related initiatives at organizations where they serve in leadership. For example, American Psychiatric Association President Ramaswamy Viswanathan, MD, DrMedSc, made “Lifestyle for Positive Mental and Physical Health” the theme of his current term. 

During a presentation at the 2024 Mental Health Services Conference, he spoke of his father dying of heart attack when Dr. Viswanathan was two years old, and about his wish for his children not to experience a similar loss. He shared an overview of evidence-based strategies for incorporating lifestyle interventions into community mental health, noting that diet can reduce chronic inflammation, which is associated with depression.

“People with psychiatric illness have poorer physical health and earlier mortality,” Viswanathan said. “We have to promote both their physical and mental health. Lifestyle medicine achieves both.”

Several high-level American Medical Association leaders, including President-elect Bobby Mukkamala, MD, DipABLM, and Board of Trustees Chair Michael Suk, MD, JD, MPH, MBA, DipABLM, are certified in lifestyle medicine. Among the initiatives that Dr. Suk is passionate about is promoting the health benefits of outdoor activities and nature and, as an orthopedic surgeon, integrating the principles of lifestyle medicine into orthopedic care.  

“Leadership positions provide a platform to amplify the principles of lifestyle medicine on a systemic level,” Dr. Suk said. “Leaders can advocate for policies promoting physical activity, better nutrition, and stress management in health care systems and broader communities.”

Advocacy and collaboration 

Having more diplomates and ACLM members in leadership positions strengthens advocacy and spurs new avenues for collaboration. ACLM member and Physical Activity Alliance (PAA) President Mike Stack, BS, ACSM-EP, ACSM-EIM, ACSM-PAPHS, CSCS, FMFA, said advocacy successes through PAA’s “Time to Move” initiative could be transformative for lifestyle medicine. The initiative aims to establish physical activity assessment, prescription and referral as the standard of care in medicine.   

In a significant victory, physical activity vital signs will be required in all certified electronic health records starting in 2027. Now the PAA’s focus shifts to benefits design for supervised exercise therapy.  

“We are poised to unlock a powerful new tool in the lifestyle medicine clinician’s toolbox,” he said. “Leadership isn’t just about guiding—it’s about empowering others to see the potential of lifestyle medicine as the foundation of a better health care system.”  

ACLM member Carrie Jaworski, MD, FAAFP, FACSM, president-elect for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), said attending a recent PAA meeting exemplified the critical importance of leaders across many organizations sitting at the same table for a common goal.

“While ACSM is my professional home, I value my membership within ACLM as it allows me to have an understanding and appreciation for the work of like-minded partner organizations and demonstrates the importance of collaboration,” she said. “I hope to create bridges between groups in order to make the work and the time commitments more efficient and effective resulting in greater overall success for all.”  

Leading with passion and purpose  

As momentum for lifestyle medicine grows, more diplomates and members will likely emerge in leadership roles. There are now more than 8,000 lifestyle medicine-certified clinicians worldwide and 14,000 ACLM members. For those aspiring to leadership positions, Stack suggested identifying ways to serve on committees, join advocacy efforts or even get involved in their local communities.  

“Remember, every leader started somewhere,” he said. “Lead with purpose and passion. Build relationships, listen deeply, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.” 

Dr. Dolhun said, “Say ‘yes’ to as many opportunities as possible to advance your understanding of and experience in lifestyle medicine and to raise awareness of its benefits. Join a Member Interest Group, speak to a community support group, give a Grand Rounds on the topic and connect with other lifestyle medicine clinicians. You can lead from any seat!”