Meet Anita Wang, MD, FACEP

We were lucky to catch up with Anita Wang, MD, FACEP recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anita , thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?

I’ve dedicated 43 years of my career to working in emergency departments. I’ve witnessed the challenges from the early days of HIV, leading a team against SARS to the overwhelming conditions during Covid-19. Many people didn’t realize that hospitals and ERs were struggling during the pandemic because people were staying away due to isolation and lockdowns. In the Covid-19 epicenters, hospitals were busy and overrun. It was incredibly difficult.
I experienced this firsthand at one hospital where the situation was overwhelming. It made me reflect on the tragic suicide of a physician in New York—it was simply too much to bear, seeing the devastation and loss of life without effective treatments.
At another hospital, a county facility, we were prepared for the worst. I’ve been a locum physician for 12 years at that facility choosing this path to spend more time with my family, even though it required me to travel to a different city for work. Despite concerns about job security each year, I was renewed until October 2020 when census numbers dropped and extra help wasn’t needed anymore. Locum physicians often travel to underserved areas or fill in for those on leave, but during Covid-19, those requests stopped abruptly. Essentially, I was laid off.

Fortunately, I have another passion: my own practice focused on preventative care and functional medicine. This shift allowed me to redirect my energies. Understanding genetics, cellular function, and metabolic pathways can help people live healthier lives. I’ve found this work fulfilling, although transitioning from the ER was tough.

I spent about a year learning the business side of healthcare before diving in and opening my practice in 2012. Since I lost my income from the ER and the office flow also stopped. Adapting and pivoting was crucial. My medical training was formally in Western medicine with life experience in Chinese medicine, In my practice I blend Eastern and Western approaches. Initially skeptical about the small university department that integrated Eastern and Western medicine, which I encountered during my training in traditional Chinese medicine in China Upon returning to the States I quickly realized the value of blending it with Western medicine. Covid-19 solidified this perspective in my practice.

Losing my job opened my eyes to new possibilities within my practice. It’s been a journey of rediscovery, blending my medical expertise with innovative approaches to help my patients achieve optimal health. One of those additions is Emsculpt, which helps build and maintain muscle mass. I see this device as a tool for longevity rather than just an aesthetic treatment, although the benefit of achieving a toned body and a six-pack abdomen is undeniable. Muscle mass is crucial for longevity as it aids in maintaining blood sugar control, healthy weight, mood stability, bone density, cardiovascular health, balance, joint flexibility, and more.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My office practice is dedicated to uncovering the root causes of why people may not feel 100%, lacking in energy, happiness, and the ability to live life to its fullest and be functional. I believe that “90s are the new 30s” because many people don’t realize the impact of caring for their bodies like a temple, which can sustain them until their very last day. While our bodies have finite capacities, each day is precious and shouldn’t be taken for granted. I particularly resonate with the quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow, plan as if you were to live forever.”
Functional medicine is about being born vital and maintaining that vitality, in contrast to conventional medicine where decline is often accepted as an unavoidable part of aging. I frequently hear phrases like “that’s just part of aging” or “you have to accept it, it is part of aging “going old sucks” but I believe you can thrive well into your later years without pain and with full functionality. We have advanced medical technologies in conventional medicine such as heart surgeries allow people born with defects to function normally. Then it is important to care for your body to keep optimal with proper food, movement, mental outlook and quality sleep.

Understanding your genetic makeup and any mutations is crucial, much like knowing about a heart defect that requires repair. For example, if you’re genetically prone to snacking, it’s not merely about willpower but about making mindful choices. Awareness marks the first step toward positive changes. Stress is pervasive in our society, and managing it is essential as it significantly affects inflammation, a driver of disease.
Functional medicine takes a holistic approach, addressing the entire person—mind, body, and spirit. It aims to balance the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous systems. This equilibrium supports optimal digestion, nutrient absorption, and cellular repair, which are vital for maintaining vitality and strength. If the mind is stressed and the spirit is depleted, the body struggles to repair itself and sustain a high quality of life.

Maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and core strength is key to slowing the aging process. Through personalized testing, I identify your unique cellular and genetic needs, such as antioxidants, B vitamins, minerals, and detoxification support. I offer compounded supplement formulations specially tailored for you based on your results, or personalized supplement packets for convenience and efficacy.
If you are interested in supporting your mitochondria, which I believe is the fountain of youth, I have formulated several products to help you with overall health. These include Vitality Essentials for mitochondrial health, Vitality Boost, and formulations for liver detoxification (Hepatic Vitality), muscle support (Muscle Vitality), collagen support (Collagen Vitality) important to keep skin firm and sag- free, and adrenal health (Adrenocrine, which contains adaptogen herbs).
Please reach out to me for a complimentary 15-minute discovery call. Schedule online at anitawangmd.com.

My goal is to empower you to stay youthful, energetic, and functional throughout your life. Young and Fit forever

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The most important thing that has helped me throughout my life is a quote from President Calvin Coolidge “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
I think this quote has guided my entire life. When I was eight years old, I voiced my desire to be a surgeon. People told me that, as a girl, I should go into nursing. Despite these comments, I was determined to get into medical school, even though I didn’t believe I was particularly bright. I found a medical school that accepted me when I was 17. This persistence and determination helped me navigate challenges, including the transition through COVID-19, not knowing much about business but remaining passionate, determined, and persistent.
One story that inspires me is about Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken. He received 100 rejections before he got one acceptance, and look how well he did. This story reminds me never to give up, to believe in myself, and to move forward. You can achieve what you want if you know what you’re working towards, stay clear about your goals, and make it happen.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

I think athletes are my ideal clients. However, I work with anyone, especially those with chronic illnesses. People with chronic illnesses often understand that their bodies are not functioning well, but I also enjoy working with healthy individuals who might be unaware of the importance of proactive health maintenance. Athletes, in particular, understand the impact of nutrition and exercise on performance, making them more receptive to personalized health strategies.
For example, knowing your genetics can help you train more effectively. If a cross-country runner’s genetics indicate lower endurance potential, they can adjust their training accordingly. Also, knowing your nutritional levels is important for proper function. A tragic example is Deena Kastor, a marathon runner in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, who broke her foot during the race due to low vitamin D levels. Knowing your nutritional needs is important not only for top Olympians but for everyone. This highlights the importance of understanding your baseline health, genetics, cellular function, and nutritional needs to make informed lifestyle choices.
Everyone can benefit from this knowledge, from children to adults. Knowledge is power, and knowing your baseline genetics and how your lifestyle is affecting cellular function can guide you to make effective changes in lifestyle that influence your future and quality of life in your golden years. For instance, Tom Brady performs at a high level at an age many thought impossible because he pays attention to his cellular function needs. Everyone can benefit from this approach, starting from childhood, to enhance their life. I enjoy working with individuals who are motivated to invest effort in improving their health, to stay young and fit forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://anitawangmd.com
• Instagram: anitawang_md
• Facebook: Anita Wang, MD – Wellness Longevity and Aesthetics
• Linkedin: Anita Wang, MD FACEP
• Twitter: anitawangmd
• Youtube: Anita Wang, MD

Image Credits

Mary Hubert Gillian Crane