Please reach out to drs@vitalpath.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Lifestyle Medicine is a medical specialty dedicated to helping you improve your health and quality of life through evidence-based lifestyle changes. It focuses on preventing, managing, and even reversing chronic conditions like obesity, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
With six out of ten Americans living with a chronic condition—and four out of ten managing more than one—Lifestyle Medicine addresses the root causes of these challenges. It empowers you to take charge of your health and wellbeing in a meaningful, lasting way.
This approach targets key areas including nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management with healthy coping strategies, and nourishing social connections—building a strong foundation for vibrant health.
Not at all. While Lifestyle Medicine can effectively treat specific diseases, it’s equally valuable for optimizing your overall health and wellbeing.
People may come to Lifestyle Medicine to prevent chronic conditions before they start, boost energy and sleep quality, improve mood and motivation, manage weight, or improve their lab results. Sometimes it’s about feeling tired, stressed, burned out, or stuck — or simply wanting to take proactive steps if you’re generally healthy but concerned about genetic risks or your diet.
Lifestyle Medicine as practiced at VitalPath MD meets you wherever you are on your health journey.
Lifestyle Medicine is about more than treating illness—it’s about helping you create lasting, meaningful changes that improve your daily life. Together with Dr. Iris Schrijver, your Lifestyle Medicine physician, you’ll focus on the areas you’re most motivated to change.
By making sustainable shifts in your daily habits, you may experience:
· Higher, more consistent energy levels
· Better quality rest and relaxation
· Greater mental clarity and focus
· Reduced need for medications
· Improved lab results and vital signs
· Enhanced overall sense of wellbeing
Your results will depend on your readiness and commitment to making changes. Your Lifestyle Medicine doctor will provide evidence-based medical guidance, along with the encouragement and personalized strategies you need to succeed—helping you achieve your health goals in a way that fits your unique lifestyle.
No. Whereas a whole food, plant-based diet is frequently recommended because of its well-established health benefits, your nutrition plan will be personalized to your readiness, preferences and health goals. We’ll work together to support eating patterns that improve your health now and protect your wellbeing for the long term.
Yes. At VitalPath MD, a Lifestyle Medicine visit looks at the whole you—your health, your environment, your daily routines, and your medical and family history. The focus is on creating a sustainable, personalized plan that we design together to help you reach your health goals.
Appointments are typically longer—30 to 90 minutes depending on the visit—so there’s time to truly listen, understand your concerns, and address them thoroughly. We’ll review your overall health, medical history, lab results, daily habits, and priorities.
Instead of simply managing symptoms with medication, we’ll work to uncover root causes and create a clear step-by-step plan. You’ll leave with practical strategies, science-backed guidance, and the tools you need to make lasting changes—built around your own goals, motivation, and way of life.
No. This practice uses telemedicine video calls for all visits.
Absolutely. You’re welcome to send a confidential, HIPAA-compliant email to drs@vitalpath.com anytime. I’ll make every effort to reply within 72 hours, so you can feel supported even between visits.
No. This approach is meant to enhance, not replace, your primary care. You’ll need a primary care doctor for physical exams, prescriptions, urgent care, and routine screenings.
This practice does not provide urgent care, emergency care, or medication. What it does provide is comprehensive lifestyle support—helping you build a strong foundation for optimal health and long-term wellbeing.
Yes. Laboratory tests can be ordered with possible cash-pay discounts. Recommended lab tests will be specific to your concerns and symptoms. If you have recent lab results then these can be reviewed first, before additional testing is recommended. You may also seek recommended lab testing through your primary care doctor to use insurance.
No. We will review your list of medications and supplements, but you need to have a primary care provider or a specialist for your prescriptions. However, prescription needs may change through the health improvements you achieve with Lifestyle Medicine. You may need less medication or may be able to discontinue medications, as directed by your primary care doctor.
Our visits are face-to-face through secure, HIPAA-compliant video calls. All you need is a reliable internet connection and a camera-enabled device—ideally a computer, though a tablet or smartphone works too. Telehealth lets your doctor meet you wherever you are, so you can receive personalized, flexible care from the comfort of your home or any location you choose.
No. This telehealth practice only sees patients who are present in the state of Oregon during the time of the appointment.
No. This is a direct pay practice. The practice does not accept insurance plans, including Medicare or Medicaid. This approach allows for longer appointments, more personalized care, and greater flexibility—without the limitations of insurance-based systems.
VitalPath MD offers a variety of care packages to fit different needs and budgets. You can see all options—and any current discounts—by visiting the Services page on this website.