By David McKay Wilson
Reimagining Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine to Redefine Patient Care
A growing cadre of osteopathic physicians are placing greater emphasis on the role of improved nutrition and healthier lifestyle choices to help their patients lead better lives. Many encourage plant-based diets with minimal processed foods to support weight loss, control high blood pressure and lower cholesterol. They see it as better fuel for the body鈥檚 engine. Some even take it a step further by hosting food preparation demonstrations to engage their communities directly.
At the same time, regular exercise has become a cornerstone of primary care for many osteopathic physicians who see movement as medicine and a vital part of healing. This holistic approach complements pharmaceutical treatments and, in some cases, helps patients reduce their dependence on medication altogether.
This philosophy reflects a broader return to osteopathic medicine鈥檚 foundational focus on prevention and individualized care. The five featured below exemplify this shift. They are reshaping how chronic conditions are treated by integrating diet, exercise and mindfulness with traditional medical care. Their stories highlight a shared commitment to empowering patients to adopt sustainable lifestyle changes, reduce medication reliance and achieve lasting health improvements.
Scott Harrington, DO 鈥�03, was serving as a U.S. Army physician with the 101st Airborne Division when he began noticing some unwelcome changes: weight gain, low energy and a sense that something in his routine wasn鈥檛 working. He was watching his portions, exercising regularly鈥攜et the scale and his lab values told a different story.
Then a Special Forces physician assistant recommended that he watch the documentary 鈥淔orks Over Knives.鈥� The film made a lasting impression. Its case for a whole-food, plant-based diet resonated deeply. Dr. Harrington committed to the lifestyle, dropped 15 pounds and felt dramatically better鈥攂oth physically and mentally.
Inspired by his own transformation, he began incorporating plant-based principles into patient care, though he quickly learned that not everyone was ready to make the leap. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 force it,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut you can plant the seed.鈥�
In 2020, Dr. Harrington launched Vegan Primary Care, a telemedicine practice dedicated to plant-based patients. From his home office in Florida鈥攁nd occasionally in clinical space rented from classmate Michelle Zetoony, DO 鈥�03鈥攈e now cares for patients across the country, from Minnesota to California.
鈥淵ou find your place,鈥� he said. 鈥淔or me, this is it. It aligns so closely with osteopathic principles. If you鈥檙e not interested in your patient鈥檚 lifestyle, you鈥檙e not practicing true holistic care.鈥�
Board-certified by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Harrington emphasizes six pillars of wellness: plant-based nutrition, physical activity, avoidance of harmful substances, restorative sleep, meaningful relationships and effective stress management.
His patient panel includes everyone from 鈥渟uper vegans鈥� to the 鈥渧egan-ish,鈥� and he meets each person where they are. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen amazing turnarounds鈥攑atients coming off blood pressure or reflux medications, regaining energy and reclaiming their health,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about living forever; it鈥檚 about living well.鈥�
Johnny Gomes, DO 鈥�96, FAAEM, IFMCP, MHP, began his medical career in emergency medicine, where he frequently encountered the same patients with recurring chronic conditions. 鈥淭he emergency department is a revolving door,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檇 see people again and again鈥攕ame diagnoses, new prescriptions, no real change.鈥�
Today, as founder of Optimal Health & Wellness in western North Carolina and as a clinical instructor at 黑料传送门, Dr. Gomes is focused on helping patients prevent those ER visits altogether.
鈥淲hen I was in the ER, my job was to 鈥榮ave lives.鈥� In my office, it鈥檚 to 鈥榗hange lives,鈥欌�� said Dr. Gomes, a certified functional medicine practitioner. 鈥淭he osteopathic profession was built on a holistic approach. We鈥檙e best suited to return to our roots and focus on the causes of illness, not just the symptoms.鈥�
That return, he believes, is more urgent than ever. 鈥淭he current system of medicine is reactive, profit-driven and too often overlooks the individual,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e need a shift toward functional, integrative care that focuses on prevention and personal history. True health isn鈥檛 about managing symptoms; it鈥檚 about restoring balance and promoting long-term well-being.鈥�
Dr. Gomes still prescribes medication when needed, but he considers it a temporary bridge. 鈥淲e use medication while we work through the dietary and lifestyle factors that may be contributing to the condition,鈥� he said.
His philosophy is rooted not only in clinical observation but in personal struggle. After years of following conventional medical advice, Dr. Gomes found himself on multiple medications, feeling no better鈥攕ometimes worse. 鈥淚 realized I was living the same cycle as my patients,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat was my turning point.鈥�
Now, he guides patients toward that same turning point: reducing or eliminating medications, reversing symptoms and regaining hope. 鈥淲e track everything: labs, symptoms, body composition鈥攁nd personalize every plan. There鈥檚 no one-size-fits-all in true healing. The results speak for themselves.鈥�
In Gulfport, Mississippi, family physician Kerry Scott, DO 鈥�99, MBA, FACOFP, CCMS, is tackling chronic illness with an unexpected but powerful prescription: better food. At Memorial Hospital Gulfport, he regularly treats patients facing diabetes, hypertension and obesity鈥攃onditions often linked to what many describe as a traditional Southern diet heavy in fried chicken, fish, bacon and pork.
鈥淧eople are struggling in the South,鈥� said Dr. Scott. 鈥淭heir diet is not the best.鈥� To help address that struggle, he partners with a registered dietitian for healthy cooking demonstrations at local supermarkets. There, he teaches patients how to prepare flavorful, healthier versions of familiar dishes鈥攍ike his go-to, Salmon Morocco. The dish features Omega-3-rich salmon seasoned with turmeric, paprika and nutmeg, paired with garlic-wilted spinach and turmeric-infused brown rice鈥攊ngredients chosen to help reduce inflammation and promote heart health.
Dr. Scott鈥檚 commitment to culinary medicine extends beyond the kitchen. As chair of family medicine at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, he is bringing nutrition education into the classroom through the school鈥檚 new Institute of Primary Care.
鈥淣utrition wasn鈥檛 a big focus when I was in medical school,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow it鈥檚 a tool in the doctor鈥檚 hand. Good nutrition can truly empower patients.鈥�
His passion is backed by training: in addition to his medical degrees, Dr. Scott earned a diploma with honors in Gourmet Cooking and Catering from Ashworth College. That unique blend of clinical knowledge and culinary skill informs every patient encounter, every lesson and every recipe.
At the Family Practice Center in Cumming, Georgia, Leah Macklin, DO 鈥�15, FAAFP, DipABLM, MS, begins many appointments with a simple question: What did you eat yesterday?
鈥淚t鈥檚 really enlightening,鈥� she said. 鈥淧eople often think they鈥檙e eating healthy鈥攗ntil they realize that several slices of pizza or that piece of imported salami might say otherwise.鈥�
Board-certified in lifestyle medicine, Dr. Macklin goes beyond the standard office visit. She digs deeper into patients鈥� daily habits by asking about physical activity, hydration and stress. She then uses that information to offer practical, personalized advice. A vegetarian since 2002 and fully plant-based since 2019, she lives the guidance she gives, avoiding processed foods and getting her protein from whole sources like barley, beans and lentils.
She also leads group visits alongside a health coach, offering cooking demonstrations and lifestyle support. The approach fosters accountability and community鈥攖wo key ingredients for lasting change.
Her most rewarding days? When a patient makes enough progress to reduce or eliminate medications.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen weight loss, lower cholesterol, improved blood pressure and better blood sugar control,鈥� she said. 鈥淢ovement is key, too. Not everyone鈥檚 going to be a kickboxer, but we set attainable, smart goals.鈥�
As assistant professor of clinical family and community medicine at Temple University and co-leader of the institution鈥檚 medical weight loss program, Samantha Flanagan, DO 鈥�17, helps patients navigate one of the most pressing health issues: obesity. Board certified in both family medicine and obesity medicine, she combines clinical expertise with practical, sustainable strategies for long-term success.
Medications like Ozempic or Wegovy can be helpful, she says鈥攂ut they aren鈥檛 the whole story.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e tools鈥攏ot magic bullets,鈥� Dr. Flanagan explained. 鈥淭o rely on medication alone isn鈥檛 the healthiest approach. You can鈥檛 just take it and ignore what you鈥檙e eating.鈥�
With more than 70% of Americans classified as overweight or obese, Dr. Flanagan sees firsthand how excess weight contributes to chronic issues such as joint pain, inflammation, diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. That鈥檚 why her approach is holistic: she encourages patients to reduce processed foods and adopt a more balanced, nutrient-dense diet. Her recommendations focus on lean proteins (from meat, fish, legumes), healthy fats (from nuts and nut butters) and fiber (from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains).
鈥淧rotein is essential鈥攊t helps us feel full longer,鈥� she said. 鈥淢ost people don鈥檛 realize how much they need, so we talk about making it part of every meal.鈥�
Dr. Flanagan blends evidence-based medicine with lifestyle coaching, guiding patients toward lasting change. Her message is simple but powerful: 鈥渂etter health starts not just with a prescription pad鈥攂ut with what鈥檚 on your plate.鈥�