Blog Interview with Ann Matta
We are so excited to welcome Ann Matta and her business Elevate Health and Wellness to our Hampden location. We love Ann and can not say enough positive things about this wonderful human. Ann is a functional medicine nurse practitioner and has a wealth of knowledge on how to optimize your health in order to not just prevent disease, but get you functioning at your best!
Keep reading to learn more about Ann and how she can help you!
1. What is your background in healthcare?
I began my healthcare career about 20 years ago as an Army Nurse. Serving in both stateside and combat missions, I gained invaluable experiences as a critical care and flight nurse. I then transitioned to civilian practice, earning a Master of Science in Nursing as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from the University of Maryland. To deepen my expertise, I completed a rigorous Critical Care Fellowship at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. For the past 12 years, I've dedicated myself to staffing some of the highest acuity critical care units, providing advanced medical care to those in critical need. Alongside my clinical work, I've cultivated a passion for education, leading initiatives such as a Critical Care Fellowship program for Advanced Practice Providers and various other educational programs.
Throughout my own personal pursuit of wellness, I discovered Functional Medicine and immediately fell in love with this unique perspective of medicine. Determined to share this amazing form of medicine with others, I underwent training with the Institute of Functional Medicine and mentorship with Origins Functional Medicine.
2. What inspired you to open your own business?
The inspiration behind opening my own business stems from a deep passion for Functional Medicine and its potential to transform lives. Throughout my career, I've witnessed firsthand the benefits of conventional medicine but also its great disadvantages. Driven by the desire to share the benefits of Functional Medicine with others and empower my patients to achieve optimal health, I made the bold decision to take the leap and open my own practice. By establishing my own practice, I have the freedom and flexibility to prioritize patient-centered care, personalized treatment plans, and a comprehensive approach that patients need to thrive- which unfortunately doesn't always align with the constraints of our current conventional medical system.
3. How is functional medicine different from traditional healthcare?
Functional Medicine represents a paradigm shift in healthcare, diverging from the conventional approach in several fundamental ways. Unlike traditional healthcare, which often focuses on treating isolated symptoms or diseases, Functional Medicine considers the whole person, recognizing the interconnectedness of body systems, genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors. With a strong emphasis on prevention rather than reactive treatment, Functional Medicine seeks to identify and address the root cause of health issues before they become a disease. Instead of simply alleviating symptoms, Functional Medicine asks "why" to understand the underlying mechanisms driving health imbalances. Additionally, Functional Medicine places a significant emphasis on lifestyle and nutrition as foundational pillars of health, prioritizing natural interventions over pharmaceuticals whenever possible. Grounded in scientific evidence and research, Functional Medicine offers a patient-centered approach that empowers the patient to take control of their health and well-being for the long term.
4. Who would most benefit from your services?
A Functional Medicine approach can truly be helpful for everyone! Regardless of your age, background, or current health status - we can work together to provide personalized insights into your unique biochemical makeup. Whether you're seeking to prevent health issues, improve chronic conditions, or simply strive for optimal health and vitality, Functional Medicine can empower you to become the happiest and healthiest version of yourself, ensuring longevity and vitality for years to come!
5. What should someone expect leading up to a visit with you?
It begins with an in-depth intake questionnaire designed to gather detailed information about their medical history, lifestyle, nutrition, and genetic background. Next, I order a panel of labs that will be drawn at the LabCorp that is most convenient to you - these biomarkers allow us deeper insight into your health status and identify any underlying imbalances. We then will meet for a 90 minute Foundational Assessment, located within the Outlast Hampden office. During this appointment, we will conduct a physical exam and advanced body composition analysis, review your biomarker lab results- discussing each individual piece in detail to best understand your health profile. Finally, we will collaborate together to create a personalized plan tailored to your unique needs and goals. Throughout this process it is my goal to provide evidenced-based interventions while supporting and guiding you to successfully achieve true wellness. After this initial appointment, you will have the opportunity to meet virtually with our health coach to further personalize your plan and support you. Ongoing appointments with myself and our health coach are available to help you continue to meet your health and wellness goals.
6. Who and what is important to you?
At the core of all my success and happiness is my family and friends - their unwavering sources of love and support, provides me with the courage to pursue my dreams, including the endeavor of opening Elevate Health & Wellness. Equally essential is my health, a gift for which I am grateful every single day. It fuels my ability to pursue my passion for helping others, a driving force that has shaped my career and continues to guide my journey. Third, surrounding myself with people who inspire and challenge me - they encourage me to grow both personally and professionally. And finally, I don't think I could get through an entire interview without talking about my pups - their unconditional love and happiness is like nothing else!