Washington University Living Well Center

10/17/2025

Did you know only 6% of sports performance research focuses on female athletes? Stats like these drive the mission of the WashU Medicine Female Athlete Program.

Led by Katherine Caldwell, MD, our recent female athlete education event brought together experts in sports medicine, orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, and performance medicine to collaborate on best practices in treating female athletes.

10/15/2025

From preparation to recovery, WashU Medicine Orthopedics continues to set the standard for excellence in joint and spine care. 💪

The Living Well Center hosts patients in Pre-Surgical Optimization Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs), an innovative program that helps patients improve nutrition, build strength, and enhance overall health before surgery.

09/20/2025

Yesterday, the WashU Medicine Living Well Center Symposium brought together over 80 attendees, including national leaders and WashU experts, to explore innovative strategies for integrating lifestyle medicine into orthopedics and rehabilitation.

From micronutrients and mitochondrial health to pain management research and real-world applications in nutrition, sleep, and female athlete health – the sessions sparked insightful discussion and practical takeaways.

A big thank-you to all who joined us for a day of learning, collaboration, and advancing holistic approaches to health! 💙

📸: Jim Loomis, MD – Medical Director, Barnard Medical Center; Heidi Prater, DO – Director of Lifestyle Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery; Abby Cheng, MD – Research Director, Washington University Living Well Center; Susan Benigas – CEO, American College of Lifestyle Medicine; Devyani Hunt, MD, Medical Director, WashU Medicine Living Well Center.

08/07/2025

07/24/2025

Five years and countless lives changed! The WashU Living Well Center is redefining healthcare with personalized, proactive approaches that help participants live healthier, fuller lives. From integrating fitness and nutrition, to addressing the root of wellness hurdles, the Living Well Center is committed to whole-person care.

In just five years since the doors opened, the Living Well Center has accomplished so much:
1️⃣ Built custom patient pathways
2️⃣ Helped thousands of patients
3️⃣ Emphasized collaborative care
4️⃣ Developed an interprofessional team
5️⃣ Established a robust research platform

"We're just getting started," shares Devyani Hunt, MD, Medical Director of the Living Well Center.

07/21/2025

As we head into a week of extreme heat, the Female Athlete Program is encouraging all athletes to keep training indoors and to hydrate! Dehydration isn’t just about feeling thirsty — it can affect joint health, flexibility and athletic performance.

In addition to keeping an eye on early signs of dehydration, aim to lose less than 2% of your body weight during exercise and rehydrate after workouts — about 24 ounces of fluid for every pound lost.

07/05/2025

Five years of the Living Well Center means five years of personal care plans empowering patients to take control of their health and wellness through lifestyle medicine!

05/21/2025

Lifestyle Medicine Week encourages us to take control of our health by prioritizing six pillars of wellness. At the Washington University Living Well center, our experts are helping patients find a happier and healthier version of themselves through these practices every day.

What can you make a priority this week?

04/30/2025

Join us as we kick off the Movement Month of May in our upcoming Tai Chi session! Class starts May 6. Register now!
https://bit.ly/3FAUOfC

03/14/2025

Where were you five years ago when the COVID-19 pandemic began?

March 15th is International Long COVID Awareness Day - a reminder that COVID-19 is still here, and some people experience lasting symptoms.

Protect yourself by staying up to date on vaccines. If you're 65+ or immunocompromised, health experts recommend a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine, ideally six months after the first, but as early as two months.

Learn more about Long COVID and find resources: LongCOVID-STL.org.
WashU Medicine Washington University in St. Louis Affinia Healthcare Care STL Health Family Care Health Centers Betty Jean Kerr People's Health Centers SSM Health - St. Louis BJC HealthCare City of St. Louis Department of Health Saint Louis County Department of Public Health Generate Health STL Community Health Commission of Missouri Community Health Commission of Missouri Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) Missouri Primary Care Association (MPCA) Missouri Hospital Association STLCHWCo

03/05/2025

"Right now we think that there are more people living with long COVID than realize it," Abby Cheng, MD, said. Through the Living Well Center, long COVID patients like Tanya Dotson are getting the help they need.

"Finding treatments that are helpful, so strategies, therapies, some medications; although we don't have a cure, we can help patients maximize their quality of life," Dr. Cheng told 5 On Your Side.

https://bit.ly/43iIHS4

For some, it's not much different than dealing with a cold or flu. But for others, COVID completely upended their lives.

01/07/2025

Later this month, we begin another session of our weight loss program in which we'll help participants take control of their health! The dietitian-led program is designed to help participants learn about their nutrition, drop excess weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases associated with obesity.