The Care Room with Dr. Cindy

Episode 34 of The Care Room with Dr. Cindy features Dr. Traci DeSplinter in an empowering and eye-opening conversation on Understanding Menopause: Symptoms, Treatments, and Myths. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. DeSplinter; board-certified in OBGYN and Obesity Medicine and certified by The Menopause Society, shares a comprehensive, compassionate approach to helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause with confidence, clarity, and support. Through her practice, Refined Women’s Health, she focuses on more than just symptom management, combining hormonal health, metabolic care, and prevention strategies to help women optimize their health and reduce risks like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. In this episode, she breaks down what’s really happening in the body during this transition, highlights symptoms that are often overlooked from joint pain and sleep changes to mood shifts and cycle irregularities, and challenges the long-standing myth that women should simply “deal with it.” With evolving treatment options and renewed access to hormone therapy, this conversation offers hope, clarity, and practical insight for women who want to feel like themselves again. Whether you’re approaching this stage or already navigating it, this episode is a powerful reminder that support exists, options exist, and you deserve to feel your best.You can find Dr. DeSplinter here:Website: www.tracidesplintermd.comwebsite: https://www.refinedwomenshealth.com/

In this episode of The Care Room with Dr. Cindy, Dr. Cindy sits down with Dr. Leybelis Padilla, Gastroenterologist, Lifestyle Medicine physician, and founder of Unlocking GI, for a powerful conversation on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and what it really means for patients today.Dr. Padilla brings a whole-person approach to digestive health through her signature 4M framework; Medicine, Meals, Mindset, and Movement—helping patients build sustainable habits that improve gut health and overall well-being. Beyond the clinic, she is also a leader, speaker, and co-founder of Game Beyond the Game, where she works to help individuals and organizations transform how they think, perform, and live.In this conversation, she breaks down IBD in a way that is clear, relatable, and empowering, explaining common symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue, while also guiding listeners through what to expect when seeking medical care. She also highlights why a whole-person approach is essential for long-term healing and quality of life.With rising concerns like colon cancer in younger populations, this episode also touches on why early awareness and screening matter more than ever.This is an insightful and eye-opening discussion that moves beyond symptoms, focusing instead on understanding, prevention, and truly unlocking better health.

You can find Dr. Padilla here:website: https://unlockinggi.com

In Episode 32 of The Care Room with Dr. Cindy, we’re joined by Dr. Katrina Coulter for a powerful and eye-opening conversation on The Microbiome: Part of Health and Healing. Dr. Coulter—double board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease and founder of Infinity ID, shares a refreshing perspective on how the microbiome influences nearly every aspect of your health, from immunity and metabolism to mental and hormonal well-being, revealing that your gut is more like a living ecosystem than a fixed system.In this episode, we explore why there may be no such thing as a “perfect” gut, how your microbiome can begin shifting in as little as 24 hours, why quick fixes like over-relying on probiotics often fall short, and the truth behind popular gut health tests. Dr. Coulter explains how sustainable habits not extremes, lead to real, lasting healing, and how our bodies are constantly working toward balance when we support them with consistency and intention.What makes this conversation even more unique is how Dr. Coulter connects science, lifestyle, and even nature, showing how our internal health mirrors the ecosystems around us. This episode is filled with “aha” moments that challenge common health trends, shift the way you think about your body, and empower you to approach your health in a more grounded, realistic way. Watch this powerful episode and share your biggest takeaway in the comments, and subscribe to The Care Room with Dr. Cindy for more conversations.You can find Dr. Katrina Coulter here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmhousemd/Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/katrina.coulter.2025/?_rdc=10&_rdr#Website: www.katrinacoultermd.com

In this episode of The Care Room with Dr. Cindy, Dr. Cindy sits down with Dr. Larissa Assam, board-certified family medicine physician, founder of Rophe, and a global expert in maternal health, weight loss, and inflammation reversal.Dr. Assam shares how her approach to care is helping patients experience real transformation—from reversing chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes through sustainable weight loss, to guiding women through healthier, more confident pregnancies. By focusing on prevention, lifestyle, and personalized care, she’s seen patients reduce medications, improve outcomes, and regain control of their health.This conversation also highlights a powerful shift in how we think about pregnancy care. Instead of fear and uncertainty, Dr. Assam is helping women feel supported, informed, and empowered every step of the way—showing what’s possible when care is not rushed and patients have direct access to their physician.This episode is inspiring, hopeful, and a reminder that with the right support and guidance, the body is capable of incredible change.You can find Dr. Larissa Assam:Instagram: drlarissa.mdYouTube: Larissa Assam

In this episode of The Care Room with Dr. Cindy, Dr. Cindy sits down with Dr. Anne Gonzalez, a family physician who made a bold transition after 18 years in traditional insurance-based medicine.

Now the co-founder of Emerald Health Direct Primary Care & Aesthetics in North Carolina, Dr. Gonzalez practices relationship-centered care through a membership-based Direct Primary Care model. This approach allows physicians to spend more time with patients, improve access to care, and practice medicine without the pressures of insurance-driven visits.

Dr. Gonzalez shares the moment she realized the traditional system wasn’t allowing her to care for patients the way she envisioned—and how that realization led her to build a new path in medicine. Through her work, she has also discovered that many physicians want to leave the conventional system but don’t know how to make the transition.

Today, she helps doctors move into independent Direct Primary Care practices through education, systems, and practical implementation. She is also the founder of Harmony Ops Health, a platform designed to support DPC physicians, and host of the DPC Life Podcast.

This conversation explores the realities of building a DPC practice, the mindset shift required to leave employed medicine, and why many physicians are choosing autonomy, longer visits, and deeper patient relationships.

If you’ve ever wondered what healthcare could look like when doctors truly have time for their patients, this episode offers a hopeful look at the future of medicine.

You can find Dr. Anne Gonzalez:

Instagram: @neogendoc, @dpclife,

Facebook: Anne Gonzalez, DPC Life

LinkedIn: Anne Gonzalez, DPC Life podcast

In Episode 29 of The Care Room with Dr. Cindy, Dr. Cindy sits down with Dr. Bridget Flickinger, Emergency Medicine physician and founder of Bloom MedAesthetics, for an honest and empowering conversation about confidence, aging, and the evolving art of aesthetic medicine.Dr. Flickinger brings a unique perspective to aesthetics, combining her medical background with a thoughtful approach to helping patients age gracefully without giving up. With a foundation in nursing from Penn State University, a medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, and residency training at the University of Rochester, she approaches aesthetic medicine with both clinical expertise and artistic precision.In this episode, she explains why aesthetics is not about chasing perfection or erasing who you are. Instead, it’s about understanding each patient’s health profile, lifestyle, goals, and concerns to create a personalized approach that enhances natural beauty and restores confidence.Dr. Flickinger also shares insights into the broader world of aesthetic care, from treatments that support skin health and collagen regeneration to the growing conversation around medically guided weight loss and GLP-1 medications. Drawing from her own journey, she discusses why sustainable, physician-guided approaches matter when it comes to long-term health and well-being.If you’ve ever wondered whether aesthetic medicine is simply vanity or a meaningful way to support confidence and quality of life, this episode offers a thoughtful and refreshing perspective.You can find Dr. Bridget Flickinger here:Website: www.BloomMedA.comFB: Bloom MedAestheticsIG: bloom_medaestheticsTT: bloom_medaesthetics

In Episode 28 of The Care Room with Dr. Cindy, we’re joined by Dr. Gina Dapul-Hidalgo, board-certified pediatric and adult allergist and founder of the Family Center for Allergy and Asthma, for a conversation every parent needs to hear.Sniffles, watery eyes, lingering congestion — is it just a cold, or could it be allergies? Dr. Dapul breaks down what’s actually happening inside your child’s body when the immune system overreacts to triggers like pollen, dust, and pet dander. She explains how to recognize patterns, why over-the-counter medications can feel like guesswork, and when it’s time to dig deeper.We also discuss long-term solutions, including allergy shots, and how families can move from confusion and constant trial-and-error to clarity and confidence.If you’ve ever debated whether to wait it out or seek answers, this episode will change how you approach your child’s symptoms.You can find Dr. Gina Dapul here:Website: dapulallergy.comInstagram/Facebook: @DrDapul.AllergyYouTube: youtube.com/@DrDapul.Allergy

In Episode 27 of The Care Room with Dr. Cindy, Dr. Francesca Okoye unpacks lupus in a clear, compassionate, and deeply educational conversation. From fatigue and hair loss to rashes and symptoms many people overlook, she explains how autoimmune disease can show up in ways that are often misunderstood and why early awareness can be life-changing.Dr. Okoye shares her mission as a rheumatologist: helping patients “turn down the heat” when the immune system begins working against them. She also discusses why feeling better doesn’t always mean treatment should stop, and how consistency with medication can prevent flares and protect vital organs long term.This episode is empowering, practical, and filled with hope for anyone living with lupus, supporting someone with chronic illness, or wanting to better understand autoimmune conditions.

In Episode 26 of The Care Room with Dr. Cindy, Dr. Mary Leung, hematologist, oncologist, physician wellness coach, and mom, shares her honest and inspiring journey from leaving traditional employment to building a more aligned and intentional career and life. Dr. Leung opens up about the hidden realities of burnout, the pressure of demanding schedules, and how constantly juggling responsibilities can impact mental health, focus, and overall well-being.Through her personal and professional experiences, Dr. Leung shares powerful mindset shifts that help busy professionals reclaim control, including choosing which thoughts deserve attention, embracing gratitude in small everyday moments, protecting rest, and learning the importance of delegation. This conversation is uplifting, relatable, and deeply refreshing, offering meaningful reminders that success and joy can coexist, and that caring for your well-being allows you to show up more fully for the people who rely on you.You can find Dr. Mary Leung here:Instagram:   / drmaryleung  Website: https://www.shiningwithgratitudemd.comLinkedin:   / mary-leung-md-9b52331b4  

In this episode Dr. Cindy Ojevwe sits down with Dr. Amy O’Donnell, an integrative psychiatrist, to explore the future of mental health care—and why integrative psychiatry matters now more than ever.Dr. O’Donnell brings a refreshing, whole-person perspective to psychiatry, blending evidence-based medication management with psychotherapy, lifestyle medicine, and holistic tools. In this conversation, she opens up about the realities of misdiagnosis in mental health, why many patients remain on psychiatric medications for years or even decades, and how side effects can evolve over time—especially as people age.A central focus of this episode is deprescribing and the thoughtful, science-backed process of safely reducing psychiatric medications when appropriate. Dr. O’Donnell explains concepts like hyperbolic tapering, why people often feel worse near the end of tapering, and how slowing down can reduce withdrawal symptoms and the risk of relapse. This approach honors how the brain actually adapts and helps patients feel supported rather than rushed.Together, Dr. Cindy and Dr. O’Donnell challenge the idea that “more medication” is always the solution. Instead, they explore how integrative psychiatry offers a more compassionate, personalized, and sustainable model of care—one that prioritizes long-term wellness, empowerment, and hope.This episode is for anyone navigating anxiety or depression, questioning their current treatment plan, supporting a loved one, or curious about a more human approach to mental health care.You can find Dr. Amy O’Donnell here:Website: www.naturesflowpsych.comInstagram: naturesflow.psych