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DR. DANA RUSSO (D.O., FACOG), founder of and physician at Essenza Health, has dedicated her career to elevating how patients experience medicine. A board-certified gynecologist and functional medicine physician, Dr. Russo brings together science, compassion, and innovation to optimize health for women and men. Her personal and professional journey inspired her to create Essenza Health, a practice designed for those who refuse to accept fatigue, imbalance, or decline as “normal aging.” Not feeling like ‘yourself’ anymore is a terrible feeling. Dr. Russo knows, “I was patient zero.” “Our mission is simple,” she says. “We Empower Patients, Optimize Health, and Transform Lives.”
What conversations are you passionate about bringing to the table? I am deeply passionate about advancing conversations around hormone health, sexual wellness, preventive care, and longevity. By blending functional medicine and conventional medicine, our team can deliver evidence-based, personalized care that helps women and men understand their bodies and take ownership of their health. We have many options for our patients from both traditional and new and innovative techniques. Ultimately, having choices on how to best achieve their health goals.
What excites you most about the future of your industry? The spotlight finally being placed on women’s health, particularly menopause. For too long, this critical phase of life has been underserved and stigmatized. Today, we’re seeing research, innovation, and education expand rapidly in this space, and that progress is inspiring. Women deserve to thrive at every stage of life, and I’m excited to be a leading physician of that transformation.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind? My legacy is to create informed, confident, and self-advocating patients—people who understand the “why” behind their health care decisions and inspire others to do the same. Each encounter is an opportunity to educate, collaborate, and empower. If I can change how patients experience health care, well-being, and their own personal health optimization, then I’ve achieved my purpose.
For more information, visit essenzahealth.org. You may also follow Dr. Russo on Instagram @DrDanaMRusso.
