Free three-part series about overall health, wellness kicks off at YMCA

A board-certified family physician who has more than 12 years of experience in patient-centered medical care spoke on wellness Thursday, Jan. 19 in the first of a three-part series at the YMCA of Southeast Missouri in Sikeston.

The speaker, Dr. Minni Malhotra, is experienced in the management of acute and chronic diseases, and she is also passionate about spreading her wellness message and educating people on chronic disease resolutions.

Heather Bohannon, director of wellness and community impact, and Brandy Johnson,chief engagement officer at the YMCA, met with Missouri Delta Medical Center’s Sharon Urhahn, director of marketing, and Whitney Montgomery, marketing coordinator.

According to Bohannon, the four of them sat down to talk about all Missouri Delta is doing and everything they can give, and that’s when Malhotra, who is also a Missouri Delta physician, came up in the conversation.

Bohannon added that Urhahn and Montgomery emphasized how passionate Malhotra is about whole-person health and felt it would be a fantastic opportunity to have her come speak.

“Dr. Minni has a passion for treating people, and I am hoping that through this experience, she’ll be able to come back and give even more to the community,” Bohannon said.

The sessions are free, according to Bohannon, and participants are not required to be a YMCA member to attend.

“Anyone in the public can come; anyone in Southeast Missouri can come; it’s not just closed off to Sikeston,” Bohannon said.

Bohannon said she sat down and met with Malhotra and came up with three sessions for Malhotra to speak at. Each session will have different topics, and Malhotra’s overall idea was to focus on a different approach to wellness.

“Rather than putting a Band-Aid illnesses with prescription medicine, Dr. Malhotra is trying to get the person to figure out what it is that is alienating them and go from there.

She continued: “Maybe we can try a different approach, whether that be food or exercise or water, or maybe it is medicine, but trying to look at all the things rather than just looking at medicine,” Bohannon said.

Bohannon said they are trying to give people the opportunity to learn and to see other options.

On Thursday night, Malhotra discussed healthy goals and how to set up for success with realistic, sustainable and attainable goals. Malhotra also talked about using functional medicine rather than immediately using prescription or conventional treatment.

Malhotra will be back in Sikeston at the YMCA in February and March for the other two sessions.

On Feb. 16, Malhotra will discuss heart health and cholesterol, and on March 16, she will be back talking about macronutrients and meal planning.

According to Bohannon, after Malhotra’s third session at the end of March, she is going to give out a survey to the public to hear their thoughts and see what they want to hear about that she could possibly help.

For more information about the upcoming sessions, contact the YMCA of Southeast Missouri at 573-472-9622.