Wellington Chamber Committee Puts Focus On Health And Wellness
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce Medical & Wellness Committee aims to educate the community while promoting local health and wellness professionals. This is a mission that is very important to Lisa Banionis, a health and wellness industry professional who serves as the current chair of the committee.
She uses her expertise to provide leadership as the business and marketing director at Palm Beach Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine and Florida Interventional Pain Management.
“I’ve worked professionally in marketing, education, and the health and wellness industry,” Banionis said. “As a certified health coach and with my master’s degree in education, I am able to follow my passion for health and wellness and provide health coaching to patients.”
She has made education a key focus of her work with the chamber. “Chairing the committee gives me the opportunity to educate the community through the various outreach programs and events that we do every year, along with helping these businesses showcase their services,” Banionis explained. “I am passionate about functional medicine, knowing the ‘why’ you feel sick versus ‘what’ you have and just giving a prescription. Educating people how to take care of themselves the right way has been my mission for many years.”
In addition to chairing the Medical & Wellness Committee, Banionis is on the board of Women of Wellington, an arm of the Wellington Chamber. “I have become involved in giving back through the many charities that Women of Wellington support,” she said. “One such charity is Place of Hope, an organization caring for abused and neglected children, where I counsel girls on nutrition and health.”
The Medical & Wellness Committee includes a diverse group of individuals who share the common goal of informing and educating the community.
“Our committee provides valuable resources regarding health, wellness, spiritual and safety issues as it pertains to quality of life matters in Wellington,” Banionis said. “We differ from most other health and wellness committees in that we strive to bridge the gap between eastern and western modalities and incorporate wellness into people’s daily lives. Committee members range from physicians and orthodontists to acupuncturists and holistic healers.”
Banionis said that people today are seeking innovative approaches to healthcare. “We have seen it in our own practice with our patients, hence the reason we added platelet rich plasma, stem cell therapy and, most importantly, functional medicine,” she said.
People can find such innovative approaches locally. “The medical and wellness industry in Wellington is aware of these trends and are incorporating them into their practices — from adding high-tech equipment and services such as three-dimensional imaging, minimally invasive robotic surgery, laser surgery, neonatal intensive care units, platelet rich plasma and stem cell therapy to preventative measures such as physical therapy, chiropractic services, acupuncture, health club memberships, yoga, Pilates, barre, boxing, CrossFit and boot camps, just to name a few,” she said.
Banionis explained that medical and wellness businesses have doubled in the last few years due to the demand for such services. “Wellington is a health-conscious community, and the people are all about taking care of themselves,” she said.
Also on the committee is Dr. Howard Shullman, an orthodontist with an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering and a doctorate in dental medicine, both from the University of Florida. He also served as chief resident in the Department of Orthodontics at Nova Southeastern University.
Shullman has been serving the Wellington community for more than 13 years and treats patients of all ages. He feels that a benefit of the committee is that he and his staff brainstorm with other committee members. He commented that his involvement directly impacts how he educates his patients.
By participating in the various committee events, Shullman has been able to address orthodontic concerns that many families share throughout Wellington. He believes that patient education is the key to understanding treatment, and through the committee efforts, he is able to provide that education to a broader audience.
Shullman said that his involvement with the committee has opened his eyes to what other like-minded health and wellness business owners are doing in the community.
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, which will open a new Pediatric Specialty Center in Wellington next year, also has a place on the committee. Amanda Millman, director of business development, has found the committee an important factor as the hospital grows its presence in Wellington. “The committee has been a true asset in developing relationships with fellow health and wellness professionals in the Wellington community,” she said. “Being part of the committee has given us the opportunity to get to know other healthcare organizations within Wellington.”
Through this organization, she has come to know many others in the local healthcare industry. “As a committee, we meet monthly to discuss new projects and initiatives, as well as travel to fellow committee members’ facilities. We have the opportunity to see their organizations firsthand and experience the wonderful work that they do,” Millman said. “We are excited to be part of such a health-driven community and look forward to providing specialty care for the children and their families.”
To contact the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s Medical & Wellness Committee, visit www.wellingtonchamber.com or call (561) 792-6525.
