We recently connected with Anita Wang and have shared our conversation below.

Anita, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

After dedicating over 30 years to a career in emergency medicine, I found myself at a crossroads when my colleagues began discussing exit strategies. Observing their enthusiasm for teaching young physicians, I realized I had lost the same passion for guiding residents in their medical journey. Juggling the demands of my career and family life, I had inadvertently set aside other passions. Had I considered starting a business and opening a private practice, I might have ventured into an entirely different direction, stepping away from the field of medicine altogether. However, influenced by my colleagues who saw aesthetics as their escape from the hectic emergency department, I decided to follow suit.
Embarking on training in aesthetic medicine, I unexpectedly discovered a pathway leading me to anti-aging medicine. This pivot breathed new life into my medical career. My newfound passion centered on educating the general population on how to care for and maintain their bodies, aiming for optimal health to avoid emergency department visits.
This journey not only revitalized my professional life but also fueled a commitment to preventive healthcare. Now, my focus extends beyond emergency interventions to empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools needed for sustained well-being and vitality to the end.

Initially, my plan was to gradually build a practice while continuing my work in the emergency department. I identified a suitable space within a chiropractor’s practice, appreciating the ideal location that facilitated a balance with my family life. However, when the chiropractor unexpectedly decided to retire, my strategy of slow growth suddenly faced an unforeseen twist – I found myself with an office space that exceeded my immediate needs.

Facing the unexpected expansion of my practice due to the chiropractor’s retirement, I had to quickly become adept at growing a practice. I embarked on a self taught crash course in business which included business plan outlining the mission, target audience, services offered, and financial projections. Legal and regulatory compliance obtaining necessary licenses. Marketing strategies to promote the practice. This included the creation of a professional website, active engagement on social media platforms, and developing network for referrals. Financial management system to navigate the sudden expansion. This included setting competitive prices for services, diligent expense management, and a meticulous tracking system for all financial transactions.
Certainly, it’s a far cry from the emergency department where you can simply hang a shingle, and patients will come. Absolutely, always plan for the unexpected, and cultivate the ability to be fluid, flexible, pivot, and adapt as needed.

Anita, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I commenced my career in emergency medicine at a time when the field was relatively new. At the time, my mother, unfamiliar with the concept of working in the emergency department, would often express her desire for me to be a “real doctor” with an office focused on dermatology. It wasn’t until my 40s, when I noticed a dullness in my own skin, that I truly comprehended my mother’s perspective. This realization led me to delve into the study of skin health and rejuvenation. A pivotal moment occurred during my training in aesthetic medicine when I personally experienced the effects of aging, particularly sagging eyelids. Recognizing the need to stimulate collagen and lift my lids, my mother became a willing training model, showcasing the impact of aesthetic treatments.
However, my true passion emerged when I discovered anti-aging functional lifestyle medicine. Over the years, my experiences in the emergency department exposed me to patients dealing with chronic pain, falls risks, and issues of embarrassment of incontinence. Observing patients in acute pain repeatedly seeking relief, I recognized the pitfalls of over-reliance on opioids and the need for a holistic approach to wellness.
This foundation shaped the philosophy of my practice—Wellness, Longevity, and Aesthetics. It emphasizes understanding one’s genetic and cellular makeup to achieve optimal health, maximizing the body’s capabilities, and living with vitality. This approach involves ensuring the optimal functioning of mitochondria, maintaining muscle mass, and strengthening the core, starting with the pelvis.
My practice is driven by evidence based medics and the belief that when individuals feel youthful, they aspire to look as vibrant as they feel. I derive satisfaction from working across diverse clientele—from those focused on preventive and holistic health to athletes aiming to optimize performance and individuals dealing with chronic illnesses seeking to improve their quality of life.
My holistic approach integrates mind, body, and spirit, recognizing that the body functions as a cohesive whole rather than independent units. This philosophy guides my commitment to helping individuals proactively manage their well-being and navigate the journey toward optimal health and longevity.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Absolutely, I would unquestionably choose the same profession – I still identify strongly as an emergency physician. I vividly remember my early days as a first-year medical student, faced with emergencies and the initial uncertainty about what steps to take. The intricacies of the human body have always fascinated me, observing how it strives for health, repairs itself, and resiliently carries on despite facing various challenges. Emergency medicine, to me, represents the epitome of reactive medicine, akin to a firefighter swiftly responding to extinguish a fire. While working in the emergency department, I encountered patients in acute crises, and increasingly, many had underlying chronic illnesses with acute flare-ups. Unfortunately, my training at that time didn’t equip me to address the root causes of chronic illnesses, leaving me feeling frustrated.
Establishing my private practice has afforded me the luxury of time to spend with patients, delving deep into their health concerns beyond the constraints of a few minutes. This approach enables me to address the root problems causing ill health, allowing me to practice both reactive and proactive preventative medicine.
In my current role, I can inform and educate individuals about their unique bodies, empowering them to make informed decisions. It’s akin to teaching someone about the importance of using seat belts – a preventive measure that can avert serious injuries or deaths. If individuals choose not to adopt these preventive measures, I have the training and skills to provide effective treatment.
I feel fortunate to be in a position where I can assist people in understanding their bodies, guide them towards informed decisions, and ultimately contribute to both their immediate and long-term well-being.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Working with individuals, especially when they are unwell, involves a profound ability to listen and comprehend their concerns. It’s an understanding that medicine is not a one-size-fits-all approach but rather an art, requiring a diverse set of tools. In my practice, I draw from conventional medicine, Chinese and Ayurvedic approaches, functional medicine, lifestyle medicine, recognizing that there is a continual journey of learning and discovery. My patients are my invaluable teachers, as their vested interest in their health enriches my understanding. I firmly believe that optimal health encompasses a broad spectrum, extending beyond conventional norms. Health is not just the absence of illness; it’s a state where individuals can thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.
In my philosophy, good health is synonymous with having everything. I reject the notion that we enter and exit this world in the same way – from infancy to dependency, unaware and in diapers. Instead, my aspiration is for everyone to maintain vitality akin to a 30-year-old throughout their lives, sustaining full cognitive function, mobility, and independence. This vision underpins my commitment to ongoing research and exploration, seeking innovative solutions to enhance and preserve the well-being of each individual I work with.

Contact Info:

• Website: anitawangmd.com
• Instagram: anitawang_md
• Facebook: anitawangmd
• Linkedin: Anita Wang, MD, FACEP
• Twitter: @anitawangmd
• Youtube: @anitawangmd
• Yelp: Anita Wang MD – Wellness, Longevity & Aesthetics

Image Credits
Gillian Crane