Redefining Healthcare: Mitch Genato

In the bustling heart of Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines, stands the LifeScience Center for Health and Wellness, an emblem of hope for those in search of a more holistic approach to their well-being.

At the LifeScience Center for Health and Wellness, Conventional and Functional Medicine harmoniously come together, creating a healthcare ecosystem centered around patients' well-being | Photos: ROMLAS Health Group

Under the guiding light of Mitch Genato, the Group CEO of ROMLAS Health Group, this center has become a haven for the convergence of two seemingly distinct worlds of medicine: Conventional and Functional Medicine.

In this feature, we delve into Mr. Genato's profound insights and his vision for bridging the gap between these two paradigms of healthcare.

A Tale of Two Medicines

"At ROMLAS, we recognize that Conventional Medicine is vital for addressing immediate health crises," Mr. Genato begins, explaining the core principles. "It's practitioner-driven, disease-focused, and often population-based. It excels in urgent or emergent care, with treatments built upon evidence-based standards."

"Functional Medicine," he continues, "adopts a more patient-centered, health-focused, and personalized approach. It thrives on prevention and proactive care. Our approach is about harmonizing these two worlds into a unified vision of healthcare."

"In my vision," Mr. Genato elaborates, "Conventional Medicine serves as the firefighter, addressing immediate health crises. It's the critical first response to put out the flames of illness. Then, enters Functional Medicine, the builder, focused on rebuilding and preventing further damage. Think of it as advising the firefighters on how to save the building with minimal collateral damage."

ROMLAS Health Group's programs at LifeScience Center extend far beyond merely resolving symptoms. "We focus on disease prevention, health optimization, and chronic disease management, all while preserving and enhancing the patient's overall health," Mr. Genato emphasizes. "It's about ensuring that patients not only recover from their ailments but also thrive in the long run."

As the interview unfolds, Mr. Genato highlights the challenges they've faced in promoting this harmonious coexistence. "The biggest challenge has been the lack of understanding about Functional Medicine among conventional practitioners," he acknowledges. "However, we are unwavering in our commitment to collaboration and education."

"We've initiated crucial dialogues with medical universities like the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health," he explains. "In 2019, we hosted the first Functional Medicine Conference in Southeast Asia, aimed at promoting Functional Medicine and dispelling misconceptions. This commitment to collaboration and education is the cornerstone of our efforts to create a more inclusive healthcare ecosystem."

Stories of Triumph

The effectiveness of this integrated approach becomes evident in the countless success stories that unfold within the walls of LifeScience Center.

"Patients with diabetes find newfound control over their blood sugar levels through lifestyle changes," Mr. Genato shares.

"Families with special needs children learn how to adapt their lifestyles to support their children's health and development. Autoimmune patients, once heavily reliant on steroids and pharmaceuticals, manage to reduce or even eliminate their medications."

"ROMLAS Health Group's approach doesn't interfere with the primary interventions offered by conventional medical doctors," he emphasizes. "Instead, it complements those treatments by enhancing patients' health function, potentially reducing the need for medication over time. It's a testament to the power of merging these two approaches."

An Ongoing Journey

"In a healthcare landscape often characterized by the separation of these two approaches," Mr. Genato reflects, "we remain steadfast in our mission. Collaboration, as I underscore, is key. We continue to reach out and collaborate with as many conventional MDs as possible, demonstrating the value that Functional Medicine brings to patient care."

The mission to educate extends beyond healthcare professionals. "We aim to make Functional Medicine accessible and understandable to the general public," Mr. Genato affirms. "We conduct talks and lectures to spread awareness, empowering individuals to take control of their health."

While research and validation are paramount, ROMLAS Health Group is setting its sights on the future. "We aspire to publish scientific journals and are actively working to aggregate patient data for potential observational studies," Mr. Genato shares. "Our goal is to provide evidence of the benefits of our approach."

"Patient-centered care is not just a catchphrase for ROMLAS Health Group; it's our raison d'être," Mr. Genato emphasizes. "We built this business as patients ourselves, seeking to elevate the standards of patient care in the Philippines. Our approach fills gaps we experienced in conventional healthcare, offering personalized, patient-centric care that integrates the best of both Conventional and Functional Medicine."

A Healthcare Ecosystem Redefined

ROMLAS Health Group, under the visionary leadership of Mitch Genato, is pioneering a new era of healthcare in the Philippines. "Our mission is to heal patients from the inside out, promoting health, preventing illness, and improving overall well-being," he passionately states.

"It's about transforming the healthcare landscape, one patient at a time, and creating a healthcare ecosystem that truly centers around the individual's well-being. In the process, we aim to make the Philippines the Functional Medicine Capital of Southeast Asia."

As they continue to bridge the gap between Conventional and Functional Medicine, they're lighting the path for a new generation of healthcare—one that is holistic, patient-centric, and focused on not just treating diseases but nurturing health.

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