In this featured Ask the Expert episode with SmithLife Homecare, Dr. Matthew Mintz, board-certified internist and founder of an internal medicine practice in Rockville, MD, offers a deep dive into his evolving approach to healthcare, one that prioritizes time, root-cause analysis, and holistic healing. Interviewed by Erika Chavez, Dr. Mintz shares how functional medicine is reshaping the future for patients and providers.

From Academia to Personalized, Whole-Body Care

After 20 years as a full-time faculty member at George Washington University, Dr. Mintz transitioned to a smaller, patient-centered model, allowing him more time per visit and flexibility to incorporate innovative therapies. Today, his practice includes not only primary care but also services like medical weight loss, ketamine for depression, medical cannabis certifications, and functional medicine. He emphasizes that this shift was born from a desire to truly meet patient needs that weren’t being addressed through rushed, conventional care.

Dr. Matthew Mintz Answers “What Is Functional Medicine?”

Functional medicine, Dr. Mintz explains, is a root-cause approach to care. Rather than prescribing treatments solely based on symptoms or diagnoses, it asks: “Why is this symptom happening in the first place?” This approach is particularly effective for complex chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, and long COVID. Dr. Mintz highlights how functional medicine often succeeds where traditional treatments fall short by using advanced testing, lifestyle interventions, and natural supplements to support the body’s natural healing systems.

A Model That Works for Patients and the Future of Medicine

Throughout the interview, Dr. Mintz discusses the growing limitations of conventional, insurance-driven models, especially for older adults managing multiple conditions. He contrasts this with functional medicine, which blends science with time-intensive care to deliver highly personalized treatment plans. Patients who have long struggled with vague diagnoses or ineffective prescriptions often find relief, and sometimes even resolution, through this model.

Dr. Mintz also addresses common questions about costs, insurance, and accessibility. While his services are out-of-network, many patients receive partial reimbursement from insurers, and the investment, he emphasizes, reflects the value of sustained, proactive health improvements.

Why It Matters

What makes this interview especially compelling is Dr. Mintz’s clarity on why this model is gaining traction: it gives doctors back the time to listen, and it gives patients a renewed sense of control and possibility. With applications in aging, cognitive decline, chronic inflammation, and beyond, functional medicine represents not just an alternative but a hopeful evolution of modern care.

Dr. Mintz also proudly partners with DelRicht Research to advance clinical studies that explore new treatments for chronic and complex conditions. Together, we’re committed to shaping the future of medicine through innovation, empathy, and real-world impact.

To explore this conversation in full and hear Dr. Mintz’s thoughts on holistic aging, personalized medicine, and his treatment philosophy, watch the full interview, and learn more about his practice at www.drmintz.com.