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Marianela Lavena, MD
I always felt a calling to serve as an instrument to heal and improve the quality of life of those around me, perhaps because I grew up watching my father’s deep fulfillment through his work as a doctor.
For me, working as a doctor always has been and always will be my life purpose. I find so much value in contributing to the world by helping others heal. I believe that both my medical knowledge, unconditional kindness and acceptance is important for building that safe space in which my patients can heal.
I started my medical journey in Buenos Aires, Argentina for my initial schooling and the first few years of my practice. When I moved to the US in 2005, I focused on Family Medicine. During this time, I continued to learn more about the role of Functional Medicine in the realm of health and wellness. I believe strongly in the functional medicine philosophy, which focuses on identifying the root cause(s) of the issues and looking at the individual as a whole, considering structural, chemical, emotional, social, and spiritual conditions for treatment and healing.
As growth is one of my guiding principles, I always look for ways I can learn and grow so I can serve others better. I have found so much of my own healing through both yoga and meditation and bring that same perspective to my patients’ journeys.
When I’m not learning, meditating, or helping others, you can find me with my 4 boys and husband, seeking to love and laugh our way through life.
Using food as medicine has been a big part of my family’s and my own healing. I fell in love with functional medicine many years ago, I completed my training with IFM and I applied FM principles in my previous practices. Although it was very hard to do this while working at a conventional medicine practice I was able to see lots of my patients heal and thrive while using food, supplements and Mind Body practices. I met Dr Levitan and Dr Trubow in 2019, they opened the doors of their clinic and started sharing their knowledge and experience with me. This was an amazing opportunity to get more training during those years.
Now I am part of this beautiful team at Five Journeys and I share the same vision, we want to empower you to live a vibrant, happy and healthy life.
Board Certification: Family Medicine
Residency: University of Arkansas / AHEC
Medical School: University of Buenos Aires
Fun Facts

If you were not a doctor, what would you do?
I would be a yoga and meditation teacher or a musician.

What was the craziest thing you did in medical school?
I took a road trip with my boyfriend (now husband!) to Argentinian Patagonia.