In Western medicine, treatment can sometimes center on managing symptoms rather than uncovering the root cause of a condition. Yet even when symptoms aren’t apparent, underlying issues can surface in subtle ways—rippling outward and affecting many aspects of a person’s life, such as family, career, social obligations, and more.
For Dr. Kelly O. Elmore, investigating and addressing the root causes of the barriers a person faces can help individuals lead and live more fully in their five pillars—spiritually, physically, financially, mentally, and emotionally.
A board-certified OB-GYN, retired U.S. Navy captain, and global wellness strategist, Dr. Elmore champions women’s health and leadership and inspires her clients to live purpose-driven lives through her consulting firm, KOE Medical Consulting and the comprehensive wellness program, VivaLife SPF ME.
Through her work, Dr. Elmore emphasizes the importance of self-care and helps women prioritize themselves in order to lead more effectively in the workplace, at home, and in life. Recently, she served as keynote speaker at San Diego Magazine’s Celebrating Women Summit.
“I want to get to the root causes of the health issues women experience,” she says. “What we’ve found is that those root causes often come back to women taking care of themselves, prioritizing themselves, and deciding how to prioritize everything around them. When women focus on themselves, they can prevent or detect disease earlier and lead at their highest level. Our team helps them decipher what those priorities are, whether that’s communicating their concerns, setting healthy boundaries, or refusing to settle for less because it fits with what everybody wants them to do.”
KOE Medical Consulting hosts leadership development sessions that help women across healthcare align more deeply with their purpose and be authentic in their workspaces. Dr. Elmore aims to give women—greatly underrepresented in high-level leadership positions—tools to rewrite the rules of leadership, understand their strengths, and balance their professional and personal lives.
“We’re typically the managers and what we call the ‘boots on the ground’ people that make everything happen. But as far as strategists, many times that may not be women or there may be very few,” says Dr. Elmore. “People need to understand that it’s okay for us to be authentic in our spaces and that people in the future may need to understand and acclimate to our space and what we’re bringing to the table rather than us always acclimating to the male perceived leader.”
KOE Medical Consulting partners with hospitals, corporations, and government agencies to strengthen women’s health equity, enhance leadership sustainability, and elevate organizational wellness at a strategic level. While the Viva Life SPF ME program (or movement, rather), is dedicated to helping women (and their allies) around the world live their healthiest, wealthiest lives.
There are three monthly membership tiers, which include experiences like guided group meditation and digital affirmations, and Dr. Elmore’s Vivalife SPF ME Vision Board experience and limited edition journal.
Dr. Elmore combines her medical, military, and business experience to empower organizations, individuals and small groups with the tools and support needed to put them on the path toward holistic health. For more information about Dr. Elmore, KOE Medical Consulting, or Vivalife SPF ME, visit www.DrKellyOMD.com.
Most homeowners want two things before they commit to a remodel: a realistic sense of cost and a clear picture of what the finished space will look like. Milan Design + Build helps deliver both through its online remodeling estimator and personalized design consultations, supported by a showroom experience and 3D renderings.
“The online estimate gives homeowners a starting number in about a minute, and the showroom and 3D renderings let them see materials and layouts before anything is built,” says David Noriani, CEO of Milan Design + Build. “Keeping design, permits, and construction with one team helps us manage expectations and keep everyone working toward the same vision.”
Courtesy of Milan Design
Modern design is a particular focus for Milan, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, functional layouts, and carefully selected materials. The team adapts each design to the homeowner’s lifestyle and the character of the property. Milan Design + Build combines thoughtful design with construction expertise, creating spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
The online estimator covers kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, full-home remodels, and ADU construction. At Milan’s showroom on Carroll Road, visitors can review real materials, finishes, and design options, meet the design-build team, and discuss project scope, budget, and timing. Consultations can also be held virtually for homeowners who prefer to start remotely.
At Milan Design + Build, one integrated team works on the entire project. Design and construction aren’t divided between separate firms. The process begins with a consultation and feasibility review, followed by design, space planning, and 3D renderings developed from detailed measurements and digital scans. The team also coordinates architectural plans, structural engineering, city approvals, and material selection, with construction overseen by a dedicated project manager.
Homeowners can explore their remodeling options, get an initial estimate, or request a design consultation at MilanBuild.com.
In the last several years, there’s been a surge in FDA approvals for what’s known as oral oncolytics. Oral oncolytics are targeted cancer therapies that come in tablet, capsule or liquid form that patients can take at home, rather than in an infusion clinic. Scripps physicians have seen exponential growth using this approach, with patients citing convenience as a major quality-of-life enhancement in their cancer treatment. This approach also allows treatments to be customized based on specific genetic mutations and a patient’s unique disease biology. Find out more about oral oncolytics here.
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Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Unio Specialty Care is a multi-specialty practice specializing in urology, gastroenterology, and radiation oncology.
Unio’s Radiation Oncology team—Dr. Donald B. Fuller, Dr. Tahir Ijaz, Dr. Reza Shirazi, and Dr. Siavosh Vakilian—combines extensive clinical experience with a commitment to personalized cancer care. The RO team treats cancerous and non-cancerous conditions using precision therapies including SBRT, IGRT, and the CyberKnife® S7 System, the only system of its kind in Southern California. Their expertise spans prostate, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and central nervous system cancers, as well as low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis.
In 2026, Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Vakilian were recognized as San Diego Top Doctors, joining Dr. Fuller and Dr. Ijaz, who have previously received this distinction.
Faces of Healthcare 2026: San Diego Fertility Center
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Susanna Park, MD; Sandy Chuan, MD; Brooke Friedman, MD; Said Daneshmand, MD; Valerie Flores, MD; Bryn Willson, MD
At San Diego Fertility Center, parenthood starts with personalized, cutting-edge care. Nationally recognized physicians offer individualized plans spanning IVF, PGT, egg donation, surrogacy, Gentle IVF, fertility preservation, and LGBTQ+ family building. Newsweek ranked them among America’s Best Fertility Clinics in 2026: top 6% of 450+ clinics nationwide, and best in San Diego.
“Remind yourself you are not alone! You don’t have to have all the answers before you walk through the door,” says Dr. Friedman. “Our job is to listen, explain your options, and guide you toward what makes sense for you. Because fertility care isn’t one-size-fits-all — and building your family should feel like your journey, supported every step of the way.”
Faces of Healthcare 2026: North County Cardiovascular Specialists
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
At NCCS, both doctors take a personal, traditional approach to cardiovascular care. Patients speak directly with their physicians and build lasting relationships with doctors who know them.
“We became doctors to care for patients, not to run a business,” says Dr. Kabra, who trained in England and the United States and leads the practice’s office-based cardiac care. Dr. Rajamanickam, an interventional cardiologist trained under renowned Dr. Samin Sharma, shares the same philosophy.
Guided by evidence-based medicine, they tailor care to each patient’s unique history, physiology, lifestyle and goals. Both are respected, well-reviewed physicians and four-time Top Doctors.
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3142 Vista Way, Suite 206, Oceanside, CA 92056 760-224-7776
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Community health is about more than just vaccines and checkups, At Neighborhood Healthcare, patients receive whole-person care, giving them access to the resources they need to live their best lives—whether that’s primary care, pediatrics, dental care, behavioral health, lab services, or pharmacy needs.
Neighborhood Healthcare is a private, non-profit community health organization in San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Primary Care Physician James H. Schultz, MD goes above and beyond in serving people with high integrity, professionalism, and collaboration. Alongside the entire Neighborhood Healthcare staff, he works to improve the health and happiness of the community, regardless of situation or circumstance.
