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Determining how to incorporate lifestyle medicine into clinical care may seem daunting, but there are steps you can take to support financial viability and stability along the way.   By Kaitlyn Pauly, MS, RDN, DipACLM ACLM Chief Integration Officer   After developing foundational knowledge and skills in the field of lifestyle medicine, you may find yourself asking “now what?” Considering the many ways you could incorporate this valuable new knowledge into clinical practice can feel overwhelming. However, taking a stepwise approach to launching new workflows and services, as well as expanding your lifestyle medicine care team, can help with financial viability and stability and avoid a few headaches along the way. Outlined here is a stepwise approach that has been successful for seasoned clinicians in the field.    Incorporate lifestyle medicine assessment questions and patient-facing resources into clinical encounters, particularly annual wellness visits.   Most evidence-based chronic disease clinical practice guidelines list lifestyle change as a preventive measure, as well as a first-treatment approach and helpful adjuvant to other treatments.  Assessing for lifestyle medicine vital signs  should arguably be part of every clinical encounter. Offering patient educational handouts on lifestyle medicine is an easy way to bring lifestyle medicine into any visit. You can download several  complimentary resources  in ACLM’s Connect platform with a free account.  Launch shared medical appointments (SMAs) or group medical visits.  Group consultations allow you to see more patients with the same condition at one time, expanding access to care and efficiency, especially when delivered virtually. SMAs can also allow for the incorporation of interprofessional care team members who may not normally be a part of the patient’s care team, while also addressing the positive social connection pillar and providing peer support and learning. Consider using existing shared medical appointment program resources like UC San Diego’s   Supervised Lifestyle and Integrative Medicine  SLIM Weight Loss Program , Ardmore Institute of Health’s  Full Plate Living program , or ACLM’s  Lifestyle Empowerment Approaches to Diabetes Remission  (LEADR) program. Be sure to leverage ACLM’s  Lifestyle Medicine Shared Medical Appointment resources , including ACLM’s toolkit, six pillar introduction videos, group visit consent forms and financial calculator tool.     Content for this blog was adapted from its original version featured in the image above and in ACLM’s full  Reimbursement Roadmap .      Launch chronic care management (CCM), collaborative care management (CoCM), and/or remote patient monitoring (RPM).  These services allow for frequent engagement with patients who have multiple chronic conditions and can support patient empowerment through self-monitoring using various approved remote monitoring devices. If you are not in a position to bring on staff to support these services or don’t want to spend time on the administrative aspects, consider third-party vendors that can expand your clinical care team and handle some of the administrative work on your behalf. Look to  ACLM certified programs  and  ACLM partners  as trusted third-party vendors. Bring in other lifestyle medicine-trained team members.  You can add team members by contracting time as you ramp up your services or as full-time staff members to support the expansion of existing services or the launch of new ones. In some cases, a backlog of patients waiting for lifestyle medicine services or a new referral source might prompt you to grow your care team. Focus on expanding the services that you already offer or bring in team members who can support new services. For example, nurses and medical assistants have been used to support  chronic care management  in the field of lifestyle medicine. If you are not surrounded by team members who are versed in lifestyle medicine, consider building a network of lifestyle medicine champions by sharing our  free CME/CE offerings  and inviting them to  join ACLM .   Leverage Existing Implementations.  Build or expand your lifestyle medicine offerings using ACLM’s suite of documented  implementation briefs  as inspiration. Consider offering unique opportunities that differentiate your services from others in the area. Some ideas include culinary medicine experiences, produce prescriptions and medically tailored meal programs,  Walk With a Doc  or other physical activity programs, gardening groups, health and wellness coaching, support groups, biofeedback or bioimpedance scales. If you’re really motivated, consider launching an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program, which is the only CMS-reimbursed intensive therapeutic lifestyle change program available today. If you are doing something innovative that should be shared in the ACLM network,  let us know !       Content for this blog was adapted from its original version featured in the image above and in ACLM’s full  Reimbursement Roadmap .      Disclaimer:  This information is not intended to be a guide to billing and coding. In all cases, a final determination as to whether specific lifestyle medicine services will be reimbursed by a third-party payor will be subject to several conditions that may vary on a case-by-case basis, including but not limited to: applicable law regarding the clinician’s permitted scope of practice, whether the services being billed are covered services under an applicable health plan, and the specific billing and coding requirements of the payor. ACLM represents a diverse group of clinicians and recognizes that not all strategies outlined above will be applicable to all members of our interprofessional association.

The chairman of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees—an ABLM diplomate since 2020—has emerged as a high-profile and passionate advocate for lifestyle medicine and its potential to transform health and healthcare    By Alex Branch ACLM Director of Communications   American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees Chair Michael Suk, MD, JD, MPH, MBA, DipABLM, is a vocal leader on public health issues, healthcare transformation, payment models, high-value care, addressing the social drivers of health, as well as clinician and resident doctor satisfaction. He also speaks passionately about supporting health  through connections with nature, outdoor recreation and unstructured play. Certified in lifestyle medicine by the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine since 2020, Dr. Suk has emerged as powerful advocate for the integration of lifestyle medicine in healthcare. Recently, he was featured on AMA news channels discussing why  lifestyle medicine is growing so quickly, the benefits of earning certification  and how applying the lifestyle medicine pillars  can help prevent chronic disease .    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) was  inducted  into the AMA House of Delegates in 2024.    In January, ACLM launched the campaign  “Leadership Matters: Influence, Inspire, Impact!”  to showcase leaders in lifestyle medicine and how leadership can inspire meaningful change. As part of that initiative, ACLM asked Dr. Suk about his thoughts on leadership, how leadership positioned him to advocate for lifestyle medicine and how other lifestyle medicine clinicians can prepare themselves for leadership roles.      Q: How do leadership positions enhance one’s ability to promote and advance lifestyle medicine?   A:  Leadership positions provide a platform to amplify the principles of lifestyle medicine on a systemic level. As an orthopedic surgeon and executive leader, my position allows me to influence organizational strategies, prioritize prevention and wellness, and integrate lifestyle medicine principles into clinical care pathways. For example, leaders can advocate for policies promoting physical activity, better nutrition, and stress management in healthcare systems and broader communities. Leadership also enables the development of interdisciplinary collaborations, such as integrating lifestyle medicine into orthopedic rehabilitation programs or public health initiatives.   By leveraging a leadership role, a clinician can bridge the gap between individual patient care and population health, demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and transformative potential of lifestyle medicine on a larger scale. This approach aligns with a focus on connecting nature, health, and the outdoors, creating a sustainable impact that resonates with personal and professional values.   Q: What are examples of your successes advocating for lifestyle medicine from a position of leadership?   A:  A notable example of success has been my role in promoting outdoor activity and nature as a form of preventative health. Through leadership in organizations like the AMA, one may influence initiatives that highlight the health benefits of connecting patients with nature and encouraging outdoor play. That can include advocating for green spaces and parks as integral to public health planning.   Another example has been the integration of lifestyle medicine principles into orthopedic care. For instance, promoting weight management through nutrition and exercise programs to improve joint health, prevent injuries, or aid in recovery. These efforts demonstrate the efficacy of lifestyle medicine in reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.   Looking ahead, I envision furthering this mission by developing programs that incorporate lifestyle medicine into postoperative care protocols, using data analytics to track outcomes and prove the model’s value.   Q: What advice would you give other lifestyle medicine diplomates who would like to position themselves for leadership positions?     It’s important to remember that anyone can be a leader. But here is some advice I give to individuals interested in positioning themselves for organizational leadership roles.    Develop a vision and narrative:  Clearly articulate how lifestyle medicine can address current healthcare challenges such as chronic disease burden, healthcare costs, and patient engagement. Your ability to connect lifestyle medicine to larger organizational goals will make you a more compelling leader.   Leverage your unique expertise:  Highlight the connection between your clinical experience and lifestyle medicine principles. For example, as an orthopedic surgeon, I emphasize the role of physical activity and nutrition in musculoskeletal health, and I connect this to system-wide initiatives.   Expand your influence:  Seek out leadership opportunities in multidisciplinary teams, advocacy groups, and public health organizations. Building coalitions and fostering partnerships is critical to advancing lifestyle medicine.   Focus on outcomes:  Use data and success stories to demonstrate the tangible benefits of lifestyle medicine. Leaders who can tie lifestyle medicine initiatives to measurable improvements in health outcomes, patient satisfaction, and cost savings are more likely to gain institutional support. Cultivate emotional intelligence (EQ):  Build trust, inspire others, and foster collaboration. A leader’s ability to connect with and motivate diverse stakeholders is essential in advancing lifestyle medicine within organizations.  

Looking to get certified in lifestyle medicine in 2025?  Follow t his step-by-step guide  to learn about  eligibility requirements ,  exam prep , and how  certification matters for your  practice and  career. By Laura Cox ACLM Director, Product Marketing In today’s healthcare climate, patients are demanding more from their clinicians. They don’t just want prescriptions—they want proactive solutions for treating, reversing and preventing chronic disease. That’s why more healthcare professionals are turning to lifestyle medicine.   By integrating evidence-based lifestyle interventions—optimal nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive social connections and avoidance of risky substances—clinicians are reshaping the future of medicine. And as rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity continue to rise, the need for providers trained in lifestyle medicine has never been greater.   “We’re at a tipping point in healthcare where the solution to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and chronic disease makes healthy lifestyle habits inevitable,” said American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM) Board Member and ACLM Director of Guidelines and Quality Richard Rosenfeld, MD, MPH, MBA, DipABLM. “That’s what lifestyle medicine is all about—sustainable, healthy living.”     Why Certification Matters   Lifestyle medicine  certification  isn’t just a credential—it’s a statement. It signals that a clinician has mastered the science of lifestyle-based interventions and is committed to addressing the root causes of disease.   “We all know that our modern medical system is ill-equipped to deal with the chronic disease burden we face every day,” said ABLM Board Member Jonathan Bonnet, MD, MPH, FACLM, DipABLM. “Pills and procedures are incredible tools, but they won’t enable us to achieve the health we desire. Lifestyle medicine is the key to treating the root causes of chronic disease and transforming lives. If you believe we can do better as a medical system and society, becoming certified in lifestyle medicine is the right place to start.”   Today, over 8,000 clinicians worldwide are certified, taking a leading role in reshaping patient care and driving change across the healthcare system. Beyond its immediate impact on patient outcomes, certification is also an opportunity to advance careers and enhance job satisfaction. Healthcare employers increasingly recognize the value of clinicians with lifestyle medicine certification, appreciating the role of root-cause care in reducing healthcare costs and improving long-term health outcomes.   The Path to Certification   Clinicians seeking certification in lifestyle medicine can follow one of two pathways: an  educational pathway  for medical students and residents and an  experiential pathway  for currently practicing physicians and healthcare professionals and health care professional students.   The  educational pathway  is available to those currently in medical training, including residents and fellows participating in the  Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum (LMRC) , as well as medical students and residents whose programs are approved as educational equivalency pathways. These structured programs integrate lifestyle medicine education into formal training, allowing participants to become eligible to sit for the certification exam upon residency graduation.   For currently practicing physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, registered dietitians, and other healthcare professionals, the  experiential pathway  provides a structured route to certification through demonstrated clinical experience and continuing medical education (CME).  Master’s and doctoral candidates in approved  academic pathway programs  can qualify for certification by completing equivalent experiential training.   The following step-by-step guide outlines the key requirements and milestones for practicing clinicians pursuing certification through the experiential pathway.      Step 1: Understand the Experiential Pathway Eligibility Requirements   The  ABLM  offers certification to licensed physicians. To certify as a  Lifestyle Medicine Physician ,  U.S. physicians must be primary board certified for at least two years by an American Board of Medical Specialties- or American Osteopathic Association-approved board; Canadians must be licensed to practice as a physician.   The  American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM)  offers certification to healthcare professionals.  To certify as a  Lifestyle Medicine Professional , you must hold a masters’ or doctorate degree in a health discipline.   Step 2: Complete Your Prerequisites   Before sitting for the exam, candidates must complete the following continuing medical education (CME) requirements. All CME must be completed within  36 months of the exam date , allowing individuals to begin preparing up to three years in advance. This flexibility helps candidates  pace their studies and manage costs  in a way that fits their budget.   Note:  Consider becoming an  ACLM member  to take advantage of discounts on CME/CE/MOC and exam fees. Membership also provides access to a network of lifestyle medicine professionals who can offer valuable support throughout your certification journey.   30 Hours of Online CME from an Approved Course   The “ Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review ” course fulfills this requirement and provides an evidence-based foundation in lifestyle medicine. For a full list of eligible online CME options, visit  ablm.org/eligibility-prerequisites/ .   20 Hours of Event CME from an Approved Event   Earn live CME at an approved event.  ACLM’s annual conference  is a premier option, bringing together thousands of professionals for the latest research and practical tools. For a full list of eligible event CME options,  ablm.org/eligibility-prerequisites/ .   Case Study (Physicians Only)   Physician candidates must complete a case study outlining their personal experience with lifestyle medicine. A template is available at  ablm.org/eligibility-prerequisites/ .       Step 3: Register for the Exam   The ABLM administers the lifestyle medicine certification exams for physicians as well as for doctoral and master’s level health professionals on behalf of ACLM.   The exam is offered annually in late November/ early December, with this year’s test window running from Nov. 22 to Dec. 7, 2025. The registration deadline is Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. PST. To register, visit  ablm.org , create an account, and follow the instructions for exam registration.   Exam Fees The exam fees range from $1,369 to $1,798, depending on professional category and ACLM membership status.    Test Site Selection Once registration closes, candidates will receive an invitation to select a testing location through  Prometric  and reserve a seat at a preferred testing center.   Prerequisite Submission Prerequisites do  not  need to be completed before registering for the exam. However, proof of credentials and completion of required prerequisites must be submitted to ABLM no later than 30 days before the exam date.   Important  Note : LM2025 (scheduled for Nov. 16-19, 2025) may be used to fulfill the event CME prerequisite, even though it takes place after the prerequisite submission deadline. Attendees should submit their LM2025 CME certificates as soon as possible after the conference.   Step 4: Prepare for the Exam   Effective preparation is key to building confidence and readiness on exam day. Begin studying three to six months in advance, depending on schedule and availability. ACLM offers additional resources to help candidates prepare for the exam including the  Lifestyle Medicine Question Bank  and a members-only group to connect those preparing for the exam. A structured, consistent approach increases the likelihood of success.   Prior to the exam, review key concepts, but avoid cramming. Instead, focus on reinforcing your understanding of  core principles . Adequate rest the night before and a balanced meal on the day of the exam are essential for maintaining focus and mental clarity throughout the test.   Exam Details  The multiple-choice exam consists of 120 questions for healthcare professionals and 150 questions for physicians. All questions are written to the National Board of Medical Examiner standards.   Candidates will have four hours to complete the exam.   Results are typically made available within 10 to 20 days following the exam.   Step 6: Celebrate and Look to the Future   Earning certification as an  ABLM diplomate (DipABLM)  or an  ACLM diplomate (DipACLM)  is a significant achievement. Take a moment to celebrate! This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter in a healthcare professional’s career and reflects an ongoing commitment to improving patient outcomes through lifestyle medicine.   Shortly after receiving exam results, new diplomates will be invited to join the  Maintenance of Certification (MOC)  pathway to ensure their certification remains active.  As a benefit of membership, ACLM supports diplomate members by providing opportunities to earn complimentary MOC credit to maintain their certification. Take a Step Toward Meaningful Change Certification positions clinicians to play a pivotal role in transforming healthcare through evidence-based lifestyle interventions.    “While it is the fastest growing area of medicine, the reality is we need far more providers delivering this type of care to the people who need it most,” said Dr. Bonnet. “So come join us and let’s change the world.”   This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of healthcare.  It’s time to take the next step.