Adding a new dimension to the field of Lifestyle Medicine –

Dr. Rasarie Wimalana obtains Global Best Results at the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM) Examination – 2022

A young Sri Lankan professional has brought honour and recognition to Sri Lanka by achieving world class results in a highly standardized examination held globally for the increasingly popular specialty of Lifestyle Medicine.

Dr. Rasarie Wimalana showcased Sri Lanka internationally by obtaining Global Best results

at the acclaimed International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM) Examination held in December 2022. The exams drew applications from over 1400 licensed physicians and allied post graduate health professionals representing multiple countries including the United Kingdom and the United States.

The IBLM is a global benchmark that sets and upholds strict criteria for assessment and evaluation of physicians and health professionals in Lifestyle Medicine worldwide. Being certified as an IBLM diplomate translates to possessing specialized knowledge in lifestyle medicine which broadens the application of sustainable treatment of non-communicable diseases.

As the most prestigious and largest lifestyle medicine platform in the world, The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) states, therapeutic lifestyle interventions can be used as a primary modality to treat chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity and when used intensively by certified clinicians, it can often reverse chronic disease. The ACLM states that the six pillars of lifestyle medicine—a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connections—also ensure effective prevention of chronic conditions and can help an individual optimize lifestyle changes needed to develop a holistic approach to over-all wellbeing.

Dr Rasarie who calls both Musaeus College and Visakha Vidyalaya her alma maters, obtained her MBBS from Manipal College of Medical Sciences in Nepal before working in both state and private sector institutions in Sri Lanka. She is currently completing her Master’s in Health Psychology at the University of West London.

As an intensive care doctor of five years, she first handedly witnessed the catastrophic consequences of uncontrolled non communicable disease complications and their tragic effects on her patients and family members. Now, as a newly certified clinician in lifestyle medicine, she believes that although the awareness of Lifestyle Medicine is low in Sri Lanka, there is tremendous potential for the sector to expand. With greater awareness and growing interest, she believes that more and more people can make best use of it to improve their chronic conditions.

While working with The Sri Lankan Society of Lifestyle Medicine (SLSLM) towards their vision of transforming Sri Lanka through a sustainable healthcare system with lifestyle medicine at the core, she says that there is no better opportunity than now to incorporate holistic wellness into our lives with the adaptation of lifestyle medicine.

“Lifestyle medicine can achieve a powerful impact through providing a personalized medical service in clinical practice while also reiterating the importance of public health, research and education. It could bring together medicine and allied health sciences to work together towards minimizing the devastating impact of non-communicable disease burden in Sri Lanka.” She says in conclusion.