What does it really take to solve the medical mysteries most doctors dismiss? In this episode of Precision Medicine Made Simple, we sit down with Dr. Hengameh Monsef, DO, an internal medicine physician trained in high-acuity care, now reinventing how we treat chronic and complex illness through concierge precision medicine at Ascending Medicine.

She shares her journey from Iran to the U.S., from frustrated hospitalist to data-powered detective. We dive into how whole genome sequencing, pharmacogenetics, and old-school osteopathic wisdom come together in her practice and why some of the most impactful tools, like lymphatic drainage and myofascial release, are still off the radar in mainstream care.

This is a must-listen for clinicians rethinking their practice, patients frustrated by the status quo, and anyone curious about the intersection of science, culture, behavior, and care.

Key Takeaways

• Why Dr. Hengameh Monsef left the hospital system after 20 years
• The surprising science behind “alternative” practices like lymphatic drainage and fascia work
• How she balances whole genome data with patient preference, culture, and compliance
• What AI can’t replace in clinical decision-making (yet)
• Why pharmacogenetics saves lives and should be routine, not optional
• How concierge medicine works and why younger doctors shouldn’t rush into it
• The role of genetics in mental health, depression, and drug sensitivity
• What needs to change in politics and insurance for precision medicine to scale

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction to experience in medicine and AI
• [00:54] Welcome to Precision Medicine Made Simple
• [02:17] Meet Dr. Hengameh Monsef
• [03:25] Dr. Monsef' journey to medicine
• [07:06] The philosophy of osteopathic medicine
• [10:08] Challenges and rewards of concierge medicine
• [18:01] Personalized medicine and patient care
• [23:06] Exploring holistic and alternative therapies
• [27:53] The dangers of sitting: why movement matters
• [29:15] Holistic lifestyle interventions for chronic diseases
• [29:51] Personalized medicine: the role of whole genome sequencing
• [30:28] Understanding genetic variants and chronic conditions
• [32:07] Acupuncture and genetic differences
• [33:11] Screening for mental health issues
• [34:23] Genetic links to depression and anxiety
• [34:49] The importance of pharmacogenetics
• [36:47] Challenges in traditional medicine and the role of AI
• [40:10] The future of personalized medicine and patient empowerment
• [46:49] Insurance companies and market forces
• [48:56] The role of patients in shaping healthcare
• [56:16] Advice for female immigrant physician entrepreneurs
• [57:00] Conclusion and contact information

Notable Quotes

• [08:38] "I think the more data we have, it's going to direct medicine to maybe a different route that are currently being taught in traditional medical schools." — Dr. Hengameh Monsef
• [10:54] "When you become a physician, just that career is dedication. So I feel I'm dedicated to the patient. So it makes it even harder to balance family." — Dr. Hengameh Monsef
• [11:23] "Why concierge medicine is growing is by just the fact that you're concierge, you tend to keep lower numbers. By lower numbers, you decrease the number of emergencies that could happen in a day." — Dr. Hengameh Monsef
• [13:25] "If you're graduating early, it's not a good idea to do concierge medicine because you have to put some experience that, that learning that comes with experience." —Dr. Hengameh Monsef
• [56:16] "I think first generation immigrant automatically most of them are part workers when you have to survive. Or they say necessity is the mother of all inventions." —Dr. Hengameh Monsef

Our Guest

Dr. Hengameh Monsef, DO is board-certified in internal medicine, with decades of experience in high-acuity settings. Now co-leading Ascending Medicine, she specializes in complex case management across chronic illness, autoimmune conditions, and mental health overlap—using genomics, lifestyle interventions, and osteopathic-informed care to go deeper than traditional 15-minute visits ever allow.

Resources and Links

Dr. Hengameh Monsef

• https://www.ascendingmedicine.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hengameh-monsef

Taylor Cu

• https://precision-medicine-made.captivate.fm/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorcu
• https://www.instagram.com/taylor_cu
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Dr. William Stanford

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-stanford-md-phd-facp

Sponsored by: Biography Health

This episode is sponsored by Biography Health — where DNA-powered healthcare is designed just for you. Biography Health is a HIPAA-compliant precision medicine platform that equips providers with AI-driven recommendations powered by your genetics, health history, and clinical insights — all while keeping data private, secure, and independent from large EHR systems.

If you're a provider ready to bring precision medicine into your practice, visit BiographyHealth.com to learn more.

Or, if you're a patient who wants your doctor to explore this, point them our way — we’ll help them bring personalized healthcare to life.