Asha Subramanian, MD, MPH
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
I am a family physician and lifestyle medicine physician with experience in many settings. My patients with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, often have had little improvement with traditional medicine's focus on prescriptions. Discouraged, I began to search for a better way and found lifestyle medicine. My typical clients are people who are looking for a knowledgeable and supportive guide that can help empower them to reach their health goals.
2. Tell us about yourself.
When I discovered lifestyle medicine, I eagerly began learning about the science of diet and lifestyle change to improve and even reverse chronic disease. I quickly implemented this knowledge in my own life, and saw significant results in improving endometriosis, acne, athletic performance, and prediabetes. The results are often rapid and create sustainable improvements in a client's quality of life. I obtain great joy from doing health education and coaching and seeing the "a-ha!" moments.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
Many clients come to mind, but a special client began with the goals to lose 100 pounds; reduce the chronic joint pain she was experiencing; and control her high blood pressure on as few medications as possible. Also, an important life goal was for her to do a family hike on Thanksgiving 2023. We began working together in July 2023 and I am so excited to report that she is well on her way to her weight loss, her joint pains and BP are greatly improved and she was able to complete her hike!
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
Since I already have a "day job" as a family physician and lifestyle medicine physician in a demanding clinical position, it is often hard to find the time to spend on my consulting practice Diya Lifestyle and Wellness. However, I try to focus on the practice as much as I can, sending out newsletters, wellness events, and running classes as much as possible. It is tough to have people see value in what you do, but once they experience the benefits first-hand, they are often the best ambassadors!
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
These would be my pieces of advice:
- Be patient and flexible - practice growth takes a lot of time and effort, in ways you might not have thought of before starting
- Be comfortable with your value and how to articulate that to clients - always show compassion, kindness and empathy to all as you never know who may help.
- Take time for yourself - working in multiple jobs, having a family, and other responsibilities can lead to burnout. I enjoy doing daily meditation and exercise to help me with stress reduction.