About
Lisa McGonigal, MD, MPH, holds board certification in Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. She completed her medical degree and Family Medicine residency at West Virginia University, then earned a Master of Public Health from George Washington University. Her Fellowship in Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine took place at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where she founded the Lifestyle Medicine Task Force, the Medical Student Culinary Medicine Program, and the Healthy Kitchen Nutrition and Cooking Programs for patients managing diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. She currently serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at UMass.
Dr. McGonigal has advanced training in Diabetes Management and Clinical Nutrition and is pursuing further specialization in Menopause Management and Preventive Cardiology. She sees patients from age five through adulthood. Her clinical focus centers on cardiometabolic health, including insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and fatty liver. Before joining Personal Health MD, she built a dedicated Lifestyle Medicine program for adults and adolescents at a busy suburban Boston practice. She believes the best medicine happens when physicians have the time to truly listen and build meaningful partnerships over the long term.
Education & Training
Medical School
West Virginia University (MD)
Residency
Family Medicine, West Virginia University
Fellowship
Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Additional Training
Master of Public Health, George Washington University
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. McGonigal right for?
Dr. McGonigal is a strong fit for patients focused on prevention and long-term metabolic health. Adults and adolescents managing insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, elevated cholesterol, or fatty liver will benefit from her clinical focus. She also sees younger patients, welcoming children from age five through adulthood. Patients interested in nutrition-based approaches to heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes will find her programs particularly relevant. Those navigating menopause or seeking preventive cardiology guidance will benefit from her expanding specialization.
Similar Doctors Nearby
Dr. Richard DonahueMD, MPH
Brain inflammation, Gluten sensitivity, Depression +9 more
Dr. Steve ZivichM.D.
HIV, diabetes, obesity +12 more
Dr. Brenda WalkeyMD, DiplABLM, MSCP
hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders +16 more
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. McGonigal focuses on cardiometabolic health. She treats insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and fatty liver disease. She also manages diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease risk using nutrition and lifestyle-based strategies. Her training in Clinical Nutrition and Diabetes Management informs her hands-on approach to these conditions.
Yes. Dr. McGonigal holds board certification in three areas: Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. She earned these certifications through advanced training that spans her residency at West Virginia University, a Master of Public Health at George Washington University, and a fellowship at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Dr. McGonigal sees patients from age five through adulthood. She has experience treating both pediatric and adult populations, with a particular emphasis on adolescent and adult lifestyle medicine.
Dr. McGonigal integrates clinical nutrition directly into patient care. She founded culinary medicine and healthy kitchen programs at UMass for patients managing diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. She uses food and lifestyle strategies alongside conventional medicine to address root causes of metabolic conditions.
Dr. McGonigal earned her MD and completed her Family Medicine residency at West Virginia University. She then earned a Master of Public Health at George Washington University. Her fellowship in Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine took place at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where she also founded several patient programs.
Dr. McGonigal is currently pursuing further specialization in Menopause Management. She provides hormonal balancing and menopausal support as part of her women's health focus. Personal Health MD also offers mental health support across the practice for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
Dr. McGonigal serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at UMass. She founded three programs at UMass Medical School focused on lifestyle medicine and culinary nutrition. That academic work shapes how she brings evidence-based, practical strategies into her patient care at Personal Health MD.
Doctor profile last updated March 21, 2026