Parsley Center New York welcomes Ruvini Wijetilaka, MD to our world-class team of doctors.
Dr. Ruvini Wijetilaka is a board certified internal medicine doctor who completed her training at Drexel University in Philadelphia. She has a passion for fitness, and emphasizes to her patients that any form of movement is key to one’s life. Her goal is to bridge the gap between the wellness and medical industry.
Learn more about what interests her most in medicine, why she became a doctor, and the three things she does every day.
Q: Why did you become a doctor?
My biggest influencers in becoming a doctor were my grandfather and father. Growing up, I watched them practice medicine and was so inspired by their knowledge of the human body that I knew this would be the path for me. The journey to become a doctor is not an easy one but it is a fulfilling career in the end. My goals now are to help people lead better, optimized lives.
Q: What conditions do you see most often?
I see a lot of people with diabetes, hypertension, and hyper/hypo thyroid isues, but also generally healthy people who just want to improve their lifestyle.
Q: Why did you decide to join the Parsley Health team?
I knew this was the place for me because Parsley Health highlights the importance of getting to the root cause of disease as opposed to putting a band-aid over symptoms. Parsley’s mission to revolutionize primary care to help people live their healthiest lives is something that resonates with me. The company also emphasizes fitness, movement, and work/life balance—all of which I look for in a job. Plus, the office itself is beautifully designed and makes coming to work enjoyable.
Q: What’s the best part of your job?
My favorite part is meeting our members and getting to know them well. I also love the people working at Parsley. Everyone here works as a team and always available to help each other out.
Q: What are you most interested in as a physician?
Cardio-metabolic health and the gut microbiome. We are learning so many new things about our gut and how it affects our daily life. An imbalance of the gut microbiome can affect our workouts, sleep, and mood. I want my patients to improve their gut health so that they can live their lives more efficiently.
Q: How would you describe your relationship with your patients?
My relationship with my patients is more like a partnership. Since I’m from NYC/Northern NJ, I can relate to a lot of things that my patients go through. I understand the dynamics of NYC and how this environment can affect our health.
Q: What are the three things you do every day that are non-negotiable?
Green tea in the morning, workout, and talk to my parents and sister.
Q: Favorite food?
Sushi or Mediterranean.
Q: Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Everybody has a calling. And your real job in life is to figure out what that is, who you were meant to be, and to begin to honor that in the best way possible for yourself.
