In this episode, explore the inspiring journey of Will Koopal, PA-C, a lifestyle medicine clinician dedicated to transforming care in rural and underserved communities. From his early work in psychiatry and internal medicine to recognizing the critical role of lifestyle factors in chronic disease, Will shares how he reimagined patient care through shared medical appointments and community-centered approaches.

Throughout the conversation, Will reflects on the barriers patients face in accessing healthy lifestyles and the innovative strategies that can make lifestyle medicine both impactful and sustainable. He offers candid insights into his own path — from navigating burnout to finding renewed purpose in lifestyle medicine — and the broader vision of expanding these models nationwide.

By the end of this episode, you’ll gain practical takeaways on implementing lifestyle medicine in resource-limited settings, hear real stories of patient success, and understand how collaborative care models can change the future of healthcare. Will’s journey highlights the power of persistence, creativity, and compassion in bringing lifestyle medicine where it’s needed most.

Learn more about the work ACLM is doing for the next generation of healthcare professionals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lifestylemedicine.org/student/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources mentioned in the episode:

1. ACLM and NACHC launch partnership to improve health outcomes for 32.5 million CHC patients: https://lifestylemedicine.org/aclm-and-nachc-launch-partnership-to-improve-health-outcomes-32-5-million-chc-patients/

2. Bridging Health Gaps: A Collaborative Effort to Combat Chronic Disease Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMGrCwvKHjM&t=1876s

3. Lifestyle Medicine National Training Initiative Scholarship (NTI): https://lifestylemedicine.org/education-certification/national-training-initiative/

4. Full Plate Living (ACLM Certified Education Program): https://www.fullplateliving.org/share

5. LM Payment Summit 2025 Registration: https://portal.lifestylemedicine.org/Portal/ACLM/Education/Education-Event-Display/Event-Display-No-Shipping.aspx?EventKey=PMT_SMT25

6. ACLM's Annual Conference Registration: https://lifestylemedicine.org/conference-events/lm2025/

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