Inspiring Conversations with Dr. Manessa Shaw of Rooted Integrative Medical Clinic, P.C.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Manessa Shaw.

Hi Dr. Shaw, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
What drew me to medicine was the chance to truly connect with people and empower them to improve their health from the inside out. As a pre-med, and later as a med student, I was inspired by a physician’s ability to form meaningful connections with patients—and to empower them to better understand and improve their own health. After medical school, I went on to complete my family medicine residency at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, a community hospital where I got my first real experience of the complexities and constraints of our healthcare system.

After residency, I began working within a large healthcare corporation. Over time, I realized how difficult it was to provide the kind of attentive, patient-centered care that inspired me to go into medicine—especially in a system that prioritized volume over value. Visits were rushed, care was fragmented, and the focus was often more on checking boxes than on truly helping people heal.

I knew there had to be a better way. I wanted to create a space where patients could actually feel heard, where we could take the time to get to dig deeper to uncover the underlying factors affecting their health, and where prevention and whole-person wellness were just as important as treatment.

That’s when I launched Rooted Integrative Medical Clinic—a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice in Santa Clarita. It’s built on a model that removes insurance middlemen so I can spend more time with my patients, be more accessible, and offer truly personalized, integrative care. We blend traditional medicine, evidence based holistic approaches, and everyday wellness strategies to help people feel empowered, not just managed.

It’s been an incredibly fulfilling journey. I feel lucky every day to be doing medicine in a way that actually aligns with my values and serves my patients deeply. And I think more and more people are starting to crave that kind of healthcare.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s still early days—I started my practice at the beginning of the year—but it’s already been incredibly rewarding to know that I’m practicing medicine in a way that aligns with my values. I finally get to care for patients the way I always envisioned.

Of course, like with any new venture, there have been challenges. Starting a practice from scratch has been a huge learning experience—I’ve had to take on a lot of roles outside of being a doctor, from operations to marketing to front and back office tasks. I’m grateful to have had mentors and a supportive community along the way.

One ongoing challenge is explaining the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model to prospective patients. It’s still not a widely known approach, even though it’s growing. DPC is a membership-based model that removes the insurance middleman. This means I work directly for my patients—not insurance companies. Patients in a DPC practice get better access to their doctor through calls, texts, and emails, and we’re able to offer longer, more meaningful visits. The goal is truly personalized care that focuses on healing, not just checking boxes.

As you know, we’re big fans of Rooted Integrative Medical Clinic, P.C.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Rooted Integrative Medical Clinic is a primary care practice that provides a whole-person, integrative approach to healthcare. We specialize in offering high-quality, personalized care to each patient, focusing not just on treating symptoms, but on supporting long-term wellness and prevention. What sets us apart is our Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, which is a membership-based model, that removes the insurance middleman. This allows us to offer care without the constraints that come with traditional insurance-based practices—giving us the freedom to spend more time with patients and focus on what truly matters: their health.

At Rooted, we provide primary and acute care with a holistic, patient-centered approach. The membership fee is affordable, covering all your primary care and acute care needs, with no additional charges for extra visits, acute concerns, or virtual appointments. If a patient needs me, they can call or text directly, and we offer same or next-day appointments—no long wait times or going through a receptionist. This level of direct access is a core part of how we provide high-quality, timely care when it matters most.

What really sets me apart is the ability to offer this level of care without the rush of traditional practices. I can take the time to address my patients’ health concerns, support them through their health journeys, and give them the tools they need to live their healthiest lives. This is all part of the whole-person approach, where we not only treat illness but actively work to prevent it, supporting every aspect of a person’s well-being.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built with my patients. At Rooted, we’re not just offering healthcare—we’re offering a partnership in health, where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered to make informed decisions about their well-being.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’ve been really inspired by other DPC doctors who came before me—many of whom are also integrative and lifestyle medicine physicians. These are primary care doctors who truly believe in providing exceptional care to their patients. Before starting my own practice, I spent a lot of time listening to the My DPC Story podcast, which really helped me understand the ins and outs of the DPC model.

I also enjoy listening to several podcasts that provide valuable healthcare insights, including Feel Better, Live More, Zoe Science and Nutrition, and Body of Wonder. These podcasts offer a mix of wellness advice and research that I find helpful both professionally and personally.

In terms of books, The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown was particularly inspiring for me—it really helped me embrace vulnerability and authenticity. If I Betray These Words by Dr. Wendy Dean was another eye-opening read. It explores the conflict many doctors face between their commitment to patient-centered care and the pressures of a healthcare system that often prioritizes profit over people. I find this work to be a powerful reminder of why I made the choice to pursue DPC.

I also make use of resources from the Institute for Functional Medicine and Integrative Medicine, as they provide valuable tools and knowledge for taking a more holistic approach to patient care.

Pricing:

• Membership pricing is as follows: For adults membership costs $160 per month. For children 3 and up membership costs $80 per month.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rootedmedical.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_manessa_shaw/