Mariela Varis

Dr Varis was born and raised in Southern California, in a home teeming with love of God, country, and medicine. She received her undergraduate degree in Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, while meeting her “pre-med” requirements. After a short stint as a tutor, she moved to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida College of Medicine, where she was recognized for both her humanism and excellence in Family Medicine. She then returned to California, first to complete full-spectrum Family Medicine residency training at Ventura County Medical Center, and then to work at a small, privately-owned primary care practice. Disillusioned by the insurance-driven medical system, she grew her interest in Direct Primary Care. Meanwhile, her husband (and she) fell in love with Ocala. Together, they made the decision to relocate to this area, and Dr. Varis is thrilled to be joining the Sabal Direct Primary Care team. Dr. Varis is Board Certified in Family Medicine, is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and a member of the Catholic Medical Association. She believes that medical care should reflect the immense dignity of each person, starting with a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship, and focusing on whole-person wellness. As such, she strives to practice medicine with integrity and compassion. Dr. Varis particularly enjoys guiding patients toward healthy lifestyles for chronic disease management, and she is passionate about helping women understand and navigate their fertility. She is a creative and philosopher at heart. She looks forward to laying down roots in Ocala, along with her husband, Robert, and their daughter, Vienna. She is fluent in Spanish, and conversational in both French and Finnish.