Meet NYC’s Newest MD: Darcy McConnell

Parsley Center New York welcomes Darcy McConnell, MD to our world-class team of doctors.

Dr. Darcy McDonnell, MD is a board-certified Family Medicine doctor and Functional Medicine Practitioner certified through the Institute for Functional Medicine. Darcy graduated from Stony Brook University School of Medicine and completed her residency at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ. When Darcy is not treating patients, you can find her hiking, swimming, gardening, or enjoying the outdoors with her husband and three sons.

Get to know her interests, why she joined Parsley, and how she helps members reach their goals.

Q: Why did you become a doctor?

When I was living in Maui after college I discovered yoga, meditation , and the healing power of food and the outdoors. I truly saw first hand how this type of lifestyle has the power to create a healthy, vibrant community. I knew I needed to find a way to share this with everyone, because with the right tools and support, people can heal naturally. I investigated different ways of how I could do this in my career and ultimately went to medical school in order to get a basis in the hard science of Western medicine, so I would have the knowledge of everything from pharmaceuticals to therapies to procedures. It’s good to know how to recognize what needs to be addressed from a conventional medicine point of view and be able to work within that framework.

Q: What symptoms and conditions do you frequently treat?

I frequently see people with autoimmune conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, adrenal thyroid , hormone imbalances, trouble losing weight, fatigue , or people who are looking to prevent health issues down the road. I also see a fair number of very nuanced cases – where people have been to many doctors who have found no physiologic reason for their concerns. These are some of the most rewarding cases for me because often the patient has searched for years for a solution and they’re just so grateful to have a doctor that will spend the time with them to find out what’s going on.

Q: Why did you decide to join the team at Parsley Health?

I love that Parsley Health is making functional medicine more accessible to people. The year membership model is also an ideal way to work in a functional framework. On the tech side, the transparency and continuity of care was appealing.

Q: What areas of interest do you have as a physician?

So many! Before practicing functional medicine full-time, I taught medical students and residents in a university setting, so you could say I’m a little bit of a science nerd! I’m constantly reading the latest studies on chronic disease and going to conferences where I can expand my skills and learn from other doctors and researchers in the healing fields. I’m particularly fascinated by the interactions between our environment and ourselves – including germ theory, the exposure, and the microbiome and its impact on our health. I’m equally passionate about the current practices and history of women’s health, pregnancy, childbirth, childrearing, and the ever changing practice in cardiology, metabolic medicine, and the physical manifestations of emotional trauma as well as the power of the mind-body connection.

Q: What has been your experience with the current health care system and where would you like to see changes?

I began in a conventional family medicine model where good intentions are met with barriers at almost every step of the patient’s and the doctor’s experience. It should not be so hard to practice and communicate good medicine and wellness in the community. The complexity of medicine should be in biochemistry, physiology, and the interplay of the psycho-social-biological state, not in trying to get testing and treatment done or meeting patients’ needs.

Q: How would you describe your relationship with your patients?

Close. It’s truly and honor to be able to meet people in this way-to be a guide and support a person trying to live their best life.

Q: Favorite food?

Definitely chocolate. Or maybe avocado. Smoked salmon. Macadamia nuts. Pickles. Fresh strawberries. Frozen blueberries. Roasted cauliflower and leeks. Now I’m hungry!

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Remember that everything’s gonna be alright.