In a significant milestone that underscores the growing shift toward preventive and patient-centered healthcare, Dr. Avinash C. Gupta, MD, FACC, a senior cardiologist based in Lakewood, New Jersey, has earned board certification from the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM). The achievement highlights Dr. Gupta’s long-standing commitment to addressing chronic disease not only through advanced medical interventions, but also by focusing on the root causes of illness.
Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based medical specialty dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and even reversal of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and metabolic disorders. Rather than relying solely on medications or procedures, the discipline emphasizes sustainable behavior change built around six foundational pillars: optimal nutrition, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, social connection, and avoidance of risky substances.
Medical research suggests that lifestyle-related interventions can positively influence as much as 80 percent of chronic diseases, making this approach increasingly vital as healthcare systems worldwide grapple with rising rates of preventable illness.
Blending Advanced Cardiology With Preventive Care
Dr. Gupta is already triple board-certified in Cardiovascular Diseases, Nuclear Cardiology, and Lipidology, and has been practicing cardiology in Lakewood for more than three decades. He currently serves as Chief of Cardiology at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus (MMC-SC) and is a former President of the hospital’s Medical Staff.
With his new certification in Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Gupta adds a powerful dimension to his clinical practice—one that integrates cutting-edge cardiology with proactive, whole-person care.
“Lifestyle Medicine allows us to move upstream,” Dr. Gupta said while reflecting on the certification. “Instead of only treating the consequences of disease, we can address the behaviors and environments that give rise to them in the first place. This approach aligns perfectly with my belief that prevention is the most powerful form of medicine.”
A Career Rooted in Community and Service
Beyond his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Gupta has played a prominent leadership role in both the medical and Indian American communities. He currently serves as Regional Director of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and is a past President of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), BJANA, and MOCAAPI.
He is also deeply involved in faith-based and charitable initiatives, serving as Chairman of the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Toms River, New Jersey. His commitment to global health outreach is reflected through his leadership of PRAN-BJANA clinics, which have organized more than 100 charitable medical camps across India, delivering care to thousands of underserved patients.
In recognition of his dedication to public health and community wellness, Dr. Gupta has also been appointed to the Ocean County Board of Health, where he contributes to local health policy and preventive health initiatives.
Lifestyle Medicine as a Way of Life
For Dr. Gupta, Lifestyle Medicine is not just a professional credential—it is a philosophy that extends beyond the clinic walls.
“I am excited to incorporate the principles of Lifestyle Medicine not only into my patient care, but also into my own life, my family, and my community,” he said. “Health is not created in hospitals alone. It is shaped every day by how we eat, move, sleep, connect, and manage stress.”
Patients, colleagues, and community leaders have welcomed the news, noting that Dr. Gupta’s expanded expertise arrives at a time when cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. By combining evidence-based lifestyle interventions with advanced cardiology, he is uniquely positioned to guide patients toward lasting, meaningful health improvements.
A Model for the Future of Healthcare
As healthcare increasingly shifts toward prevention, wellness, and value-based care, Dr. Gupta’s certification reflects a broader transformation within medicine itself. His journey illustrates how experienced specialists can evolve alongside science—embracing new models of care without losing clinical rigor.
With more than 30 years of cardiology practice, extensive leadership experience, and now board certification in Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Avinash Gupta continues to exemplify a physician-leader committed to healing hearts in every sense of the word.
