Dr. Marianela Lavena
MD, Board-Certified in Family Medicine
I’ve always felt a calling to serve as an instrument for healing and to improve the quality of life for those around me. This is perhaps because I grew up watching my father derive deep fulfillment from his work as a doctor.
Being a doctor has always been, and will always be, my life’s purpose. More…
I see immense value in contributing to the world by aiding others in their healing process and in their journey to find purpose in life. I firmly believe that my medical knowledge, along with my unconditional kindness and acceptance, are instrumental in creating a safe space for my patients to heal.
My medical journey began in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I received my initial education and completed the first few years of my career in an Internal Medicine residency. When I moved to the US in 2005, I shifted my focus to Family Medicine. Since then, I’ve continuously expanded my understanding of the role of Functional and Mind-Body Medicine in health and wellness.
In my teens and into my twenties, I suffered from debilitating migraines and anxiety. I was able to completely resolve these issues by changing my diet, becoming more physically active, and taking care of my mind and spirit through yoga, meditation, and my personal spiritual practices. Through these measures, I was able to rewire my brain, alter my body’s chemistry, and began to live a meaningful life. I underwent a transformative change in my body and mind that I never thought possible; I had always assumed my migraines, anxiety, and reactivity were due to my genetic makeup and were inescapable. However, I was wrong. This is why I am so passionate about Integrative Medicine, root cause analysis, and self-love and care.
I experienced this transformation while I was doing my Family Medicine residency. Since then, I have been studying and practicing different ancient approaches used for healing and well-being in various cultures for thousands of years, including Qigong, Tai Chi, and various meditative practices.
Working on my physical, spiritual, and mental well-being has not only changed my life but also the lives of those around me. When you heal and learn the importance of self-care, you motivate, inspire, and influence others.
Being a doctor has always been a significant calling for me, but I also deeply cherish being a parent. Thanks to my healing journey, I have been able to be more loving and present for my four beautiful boys and husband. I’ve been able to model self-care, kindness to oneself, and, most importantly, authenticity, respect, compassion, and kindness.
I now look forward to welcoming you to walk this path of healing and transformation with me. I firmly believe that higher emotions and elevated levels of consciousness — like love, gratitude, compassion, kindness, and peace — influence our gene expression and our health. I believe in being the change we want to see in the world, and in the innate goodness of every human being. I firmly hold that happiness, along with physical and emotional wellness, is possible and a right for every human being.
Let me and my team walk with you on this new journey.
Dr. Stephen Roberts
MD, Board-Certified in Family Medicine
I am an integrative family medicine physician whose work bridges conventional medical training with holistic and regenerative approaches to healing. With extensive experience in inpatient hospital medicine, primary care, and integrative therapies, I bring a deeply whole-person perspective to patient care, addressing physical health alongside the emotional, energetic, and spiritual dimensions of well-being. More…
Throughout my career, I have explored innovative and evidence-informed modalities beyond traditional medicine, including herbal medicine, anthroposophic medicine, IV nutrition therapy, photobiomodulation (light therapy), hyperbaric oxygen therapy, regenerative medicine, and integrative cancer support approaches. My clinical interests also include sports medicine, rheumatologic and inflammatory conditions, and root-cause approaches to chronic illness.
In addition to my work at Inner Healing Medical, I serve as a hospitalist physician at South Shore Hospital, where I care for adult inpatients and teach medical students as Tufts-affiliated faculty. My professional journey has included global and rural medical work in Australia, Alaska, and Timor-Leste, as well as academic leadership as inpatient medicine co-director for the Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency.
I believe that medicine should support the full spectrum of human healing. In my practice, I integrate science, nature-based therapies, and creative modalities, including movement, sound, and storytelling, to help patients reconnect with their inherent capacity for healing. I am passionate about transforming the patient-doctor relationship into a collaborative and empowering partnership.
I was drawn to Inner Healing Medical’s mission of combining modern medicine with holistic healing traditions and community-centered care. I work closely with patients to create personalized, integrative care plans aligned with their health goals, values, and life journey.
Melissa Heffron
MSN, FNP-C, AFMC Practitioner
I am a certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a passion for integrative health. I’ve been working in healthcare for over a decade, including my five initial years as an RN at The Rothfeld Center, where I administered thousands of IV nutrient infusions, provided comprehensive allergy care, and built strong relationships with patients throughout their healthcare journeys. More…
I graduated from Northeastern University with a Master’s degree, and I’ve also been certified through the School of Applied Functional Medicine (SAFM), where I studied the root causes of chronic disease and evidence-based interventions. I keep up with the continually updated SAFM curriculum to stay current.
My own health challenges, as well as those of family members, have given me a deeper level of understanding and empathy for my patients. I believe there are many roads to wellness, and I’m passionate about using my knowledge to help you find what works best for you!
As a new mom, when I’m not in the office, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, researching all things health and wellness, attending yoga classes, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen.
Ziesl Maayan
FNP Practitioner
I am a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience providing compassionate primary care to diverse patient populations. I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nursing from Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts, and I have dedicated my career to helping patients achieve lasting health through thoughtful, patient-centered care. More…
Throughout my career, I have worked in primary care, urgent care, and integrative health settings, caring for patients across the full spectrum of health needs—from preventive care and acute illness to the management of complex chronic conditions. My experience includes treating patients of all ages and backgrounds, providing comprehensive care that integrates medical treatment, lifestyle guidance, and preventive strategies.
I have also pursued additional training in Functional Medicine, holistic health care, and gastroenterology, allowing me to take a deeper, root-cause approach to many common health concerns. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, I work with patients to understand how nutrition, lifestyle, gut health, stress, and environmental factors influence their overall wellbeing.
My approach to medicine centers on partnership. I believe that the best outcomes happen when patients feel heard, understood, and empowered. I work closely with each person to help them identify their personal health goals and create individualized care plans that support whole-person wellness—mind, body, and lifestyle.
My goal is to help every patient move toward vibrant, sustainable health through a combination of evidence-based medicine, integrative care, and compassionate support.
Sara Raimundo
VP of Operations and Member Success
I have over two decades of experience in integrative healthcare administration, most of which I spent at The Rothfeld Center for Integrative Medicine. There, I learned the importance of treating the whole person, using alternative modalities to heal patients, and that a patient’s healing starts the moment they walk through the door. More…
I received my Bachelor of Science in Health at Curry College. I’ve always had a passion for helping people and am thrilled to help you with your journey at Inner Healing Medical.
Maren Brown Vance
Registered Nurse
As a registered nurse with a deep passion for holistic wellness and functional medicine, I recall feeling that something was missing from traditional medicine during my nursing school clinical rotations. More…
It seemed we weren’t truly addressing the root causes of health issues—instead, we were merely patching them up with medications and foods that didn’t truly nourish the body. I bring four years of functional medicine experience to Inner Healing Medical, along with prior work in home care and pediatric primary care.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Health Science from UMass Boston, where I also played on the women’s ice hockey team, and later pursued my nursing degree at Northeastern University.
My favorite part of nursing is building long-lasting relationships with my cherished patients and witnessing their genuine healing through functional medicine. As someone who was once terrified of needles, I strive to make IV therapy as gentle and painless as possible. I look forward to meeting you!
Jackie Zarkower
Certified Holistic Health Coach and Member Support Coordinator
Jackie joins Inner Healing Medical with over 10 years of experience helping individuals improve their health, vitality, and overall well-being. As a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Home Chef and Pilates instructor, More…
Jackie blends deep knowledge of nutrition, movement, and lifestyle practices to guide patients toward sustainable, real-life strategies that make healthy living feel simple and doable. She is known for her warm, approachable style and her ability to meet people where they are.
Whether through one-on-one coaching or wellness workshops, she empowers patients with practical tools to make healthy eating, exercise, and self-care feel manageable and enjoyable—even for the busiest individuals.
With a background in culinary education and training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Jackie specializes in helping patients develop personalized, realistic plans that support their long-term health goals. Her focus is always on the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
When she’s not coaching, you’ll find Jackie in the kitchen creating fast, family-friendly recipes, writing about health, or teaching others how to make small changes with big impact. Jackie is fluent in Spanish and conversational in Hebrew.