By: Charlotte Trattner By: Charlotte Trattner | January 25, 2023 | Lifestyle,
On a mission to transform healthcare, One Medical seamlessly integrates digital health with in-office care. Through the use of technology, One Medical serves its members' healthcare needs through the mobile app, the “Treat Me Now” function and more. Now, the primary care practice is bringing its offices to South Florida with locations in Doral, Aventura and Brickell.
Photo Courtesy: One Medical
“We are excited to bring our convenient, personalized care to residents across South Florida and help to support the health and wellness goals of the Doral, Aventura and Brickell communities,” shares Vanessa Villacorta Sierra, MD, district medical director for One Medical in Miami.
Through thoughtfully designed offices and spa-like environments, One Medical works to create a safe space and stress-free setting for patients.
Miami Magazine chats with Villacorta Sierra to discuss meeting health goals in 2023.
Photo Courtesy: @schneiderphotofilm
What top health goals are you seeing this year?
Everyone’s health journey varies from patient to patient. Since the pandemic, many people have had difficulty making it to a medical office. I am increasingly seeing patients' desire to begin 2023 by focusing on their overall health. This includes obtaining a primary care provider, scheduling and attending annual check-ups. I’m seeing patients try to address current health issues and obtain important preventative care health screenings. We also are seeing a number of people interested in achieving a healthier weight.
What tips do you have to help people achieve their goals?
First, I like to let them know that I am here to guide them, support them and be their biggest cheerleader. Part of this is helping them set realistic expectations so they are set up for success and not failure or feelings of discontent. I remind them that significant behavioral changes like eating healthier, looking at food differently, exercising or quitting smoking can be challenging. I do not expect them to achieve total success on the first try. I remind them that I am not here to judge but to help them get back on track to reach their goals.
A key tip for anyone trying to achieve a health-related goal is to focus on the why. When working with patients, I often use motivational interview techniques to help them come up with their own realistic goals based on their needs and desires. I also emphasize finding joy. With exercise, think of one to three activities you truly enjoy. For some folks, this might be adding a walk to their daily routine; others enjoy running, while others may choose activities like hiking, dancing, etc. When you enjoy the activity and add variety to what you do, it prevents you from getting bored easily or dreading your daily exercise routine.
Mindfulness and meditation are other big parts of my medical practice. Making small and mindful changes can help make big goals more achievable.
What if someone falls off? How can they get back to working on their goals?
When it comes to setting goals, I always remind my patients that self-love and self-compassion are crucial to any progress. Sometimes, we can be very harsh on ourselves, and it is important to recognize our small wins and remember that anything worth doing takes time and consistency. Many things worth doing in life can be hard, and I let patients know that it is okay to fall out of a healthy habit from time to time but to work toward getting back on track and focusing on their goals. Understanding that setbacks and challenges are part of life and help teach us lessons that help us grow mentally, physically and spiritually.
Photography by: Photo Courtesy: One Medical