Melissa Mondala

Dr. Melissa Mondala, MD is a double boarded physician in Family Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative and Functional Medicine. She is dual fellowship trained in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. Dr. Mondala is the President and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach — the first Lifestyle and Integrative Direct Primary Care and Rheumatology clinic of its kind. The clinic has been recognized by the University of California, Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence. She earned her medical degree from the Chicago Medical School, along with dual master's degrees in Biomedical Science and Health Administration. Dr. Mondala completed her Family Medicine residency and Lifestyle Medicine fellowship at Loma Linda University, a globally recognized center for longevity and preventive care. She is among the first nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivists and serves as Core Faculty in Loma Linda University's Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine Department. A dedicated leader in her field, Dr. Melissa Mondala has held multiple leadership roles with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, including serving on the Board of Directors and as President of ACLM Trainees. She has also contributed as faculty to LearnSkin and Integrative Dermatology initiatives. Dr. Mondala is an international speaker who regularly educates clinicians and communities on the role of lifestyle medicine in reversing and managing chronic disease. She has lectured at medical schools, community health events, and national and international medical conferences, including the International Plant-Based Nutrition Healthcare Conference, where she presented on plant-based nutrition and sustainable, purpose-driven private practice. In recognition of her work, she was awarded Excellence in Healthcare: Top Practitioner of the Year (2023) by the City of Irvine, California. Committed to whole-person care, Dr. Melissa Mondala completed additional training in Primary and Integrative Psychiatry and earned a Health Coaching Certificate through UC Irvine. She has devoted decades to volunteer work in underserved communities both in California and internationally. She has been featured in national media outlets, including Forbes, as well as local press and digital platforms. Passionate about patient education, Dr. Mondala empowers individuals to take an active role in their health through lifestyle-based strategies, nutrition, and practical self-care. She also shares accessible wellness education through her platforms @drmelissaskitchen on Instagram and YouTube. At the heart of her work is a mission to give voice to individuals who are often overlooked — including those navigating women's health concerns, mental health conditions, long COVID, and autoimmune disease — and to help patients move toward healing with clarity, compassion, and evidence-based care. Dr. Mondala believes effective care begins with listening. By understanding the full context of a patient's life and health, she is able to design care plans that address root causes, not just symptoms. Her approach integrates primary care, integrative medicine, mental health support, and lifestyle-based strategies to help patients restore balance and move toward lasting well-being—physically and emotionally. Dr. Mondala practices Direct Primary Care (DPC) by choice—because meaningful healthcare requires time, access, and an ongoing relationship. This model allows her to practice medicine with intention, free from insurance-driven constraints that often limit depth of care. By removing rushed visits, administrative barriers, and fragmented communication, Direct Primary Care restores what patients need most: presence, continuity, and clarity. Care stays focused on the person, not the paperwork.