A few months ago my friend, Dr. Dana Cohen introduced me to James Maskell. What an amazing guy! He’s a genius at seeing the whole picture when it comes to understanding healthcare. He’s also the founder of Revive Primary Care, a digital platform connecting people who want to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle with doctors and practitioners of holistic and functional medicine. But that’s not all! James created Functional Forum—a monthly networking event for health professionals who are passionate about the evolution of medicine. I’d been looking for an opportunity to learn more about what he does and I got my chance this week when he hosted the launch event for the Evolution of Medicine Summit at Deepak Homebase.

In his opening remarks James quoted Buckminster Fuller: “In order to change an existing paradigm you do not struggle to try and change the problematic model. You create a new model and make the old one obsolete.” That set the tone for each of the speakers who are all using their expertise to rewire the medical community and healthcare in general.

Dr. Leo Galland 

I’ve been interested in what Dr. Leo Galland has to say about the brain/gut connection and microbiomes for some time, and was especially fascinated by his ecological view takes of the human body—seeing and treating the whole, not just the disease. Dr. Galland is internationally recognized as a leader in integrated medicine and the director of The Foundation for Integrated Medicine. He’s also the founder of PillAdvised.com and author of several books including the integrated medicine classic, Power Healing.

Heather White 

Heather White isn’t a doctor, but that doesn’t mean wellness isn’t her primary practice. She’s the executive director of Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization that helps individuals, businesses, and governments make better decisions to protect public health and the environment. EWG is working to update the Federal Toxics Law as well as the Federal Cosmetics Law, which hasn’t been changed since 1938! White had a lot of practical advice about going beyond buying green and becoming a label reader to understand how we’re impacting our bodies and our planet. As she reminded us, the “environment isn’t where you go on vacation,” it’s something we have to be aware of every day. I’m definitely downloading EWG’s Skin Deep app so that I have it the next time I buy cosmetics, and EWG’s Food Database when it comes out in October.

Dr. Frank Lipman 

As a pioneer and internationally recognized expert in the fields of Integrative and Functional Medicine, not only does Dr. Frank Lipman believe that physicians need to educate their patients, they must practice what they preach. And he’s doing just that. He’s the founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City and the author of several books including Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Start Living Again.

Dr. Robin Berzin 

Representing Gen Y, Dr. Robin Berzin is clearly wise beyond her years and held her own in this group of esteemed experts. In her medical practice she combines Eastern and Western medicine, diet, exercise, lifestyle, stress management, nutrition, herbal and natural remedies wherever possible to help reverse chronic disease and reduce reliance on pharmaceutical drugs. She stressed the importance of accessible healthcare information and the ways we can use our digital tools to make it attainable for everyone. But there’s more to it than availability, healthcare has to be affordable as well; Dr. Berzin struck a chord with the audience when she pointed out that in the current healthcare marketplace she couldn’t afford to go to herself for a doctor’s appointment.

Dr. Morton Teich 

Although he began his career as a pediatrician, Dr. Morton Teich evolved into an allergist and environmental medicine specialist. He teaches clinical immunology at Mt. Sinai Hospital and practices in New York City where he utilizes an individualized approach drawing on conventional, alternative, integrative, and functional medicine. He spoke about everything from mold to epigenetics and pointed out how important it is to be a doctor who asks questions. Like his cohorts, he shared the wisdom that remained the theme for the evening—treat the individual, not the symptom!

The Evolution of Medicine Summit runs until September 15 and features dozens of researchers, doctors, and authors including some of the ones I heard at the launch event. You can watch it online and it’s free!

Rose Caiola
Inspired. Rewired.