Next Health, known for its leading health optimization & longevity centers, has formed a world-class Scientific Advisory Council, composed of renowned physicians, scientists, and innovators. This council will help Next Health shape the future of proactive healthcare by creating a worldwide system of clinics truly focused on optimizing and extending the “healthspan” of Next Health patients. With 70+ Next Health centers open or in development across 13 states and two international countries, this council will guide the science-backed strategies to make longevity and functional medicine accessible to individuals globally.
Founded by Darshan Shah, MD, nearly a decade ago, Next Health has a bold mission: to revolutionize the healthcare system by shifting the focus from treating disease to preventing it, restoring vitality, and extending healthspan through cutting-edge science. On pace to open 100 locations worldwide by 2027 through franchising, Next Health is scaling and streamlining patient access to functional and longevity medicine in close partnership with an expert medical provider.
“The future of healthcare must be proactive, not reactive,” said Dr. Shah, Founder and CEO of Next Health. “This council brings together some of the most respected voices in medicine and science to help us design protocols that truly reverse chronic disease, optimize performance, and bring functional medicine longevity practices to millions of people across the globe.” Dr. Mark Hyman, internationally recognized leader in functional medicine and bestselling author, added: “We know root-cause medicine is the solution to the healthcare crisis. I’m honored to join Dr. Shah and this council to bring functional and longevity medicine to scale through Next Health—it’s going to change lives.”
The Council will collaborate with Dr. Shah and Next Health to develop science-based protocols with the goal of reversing chronic disease and optimizing health using root-cause methodology, guide the integration of emerging longevity therapeutics into clinical practice and support Next Health’s mission to scale functional and preventive medicine to communities across the U.S. and worldwide. The advisory council includes Dr. Mindy Pelz, Dr. Vonda Wright, Dr. Louisa Nicola, Dr. Karan Rajan, Mona Sharma and many more leading voices in the functional medicine space.
This comes on the heels of Next Health franchising across the globe. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a massive upswing in interest in health and Next Health naturally capitalized on this momentum with its proven business model to scale it to be as large as possible. The average mature Next Health location brings in $4,008,240 in annual revenue.
When Next Health announced its franchising opportunity, commitments for 100 locations came pouring in. Next Health partners with a medical doctor for each location. “All the doctors at Next Health franchise locations go through an extensive in-person training with Dr. Shah at the corporate Next Health office in West Hollywood. They also complete seminars, online trainings led by me and other Next Health doctors. This onboarding process combines the best knowledge from functional and medical providers. It’s the most advanced bespoke high-level training program in the world for practitioners. The selection process to become a Next Health doctor is in-depth as well. Applicants must have functional and longevity medicine experience,” shared Dr. Sha. “Currently, franchisees are opening up in cities like Dubai, Nashville, Miami, Newport Beach, Chicago, Henderson, Paradise Valley and Tampa.
Next Health has been known for providing cutting-edge treatments that aren’t readily available or offered to patients. Dr. M. Shoma Datta-Thomas, MD, FACOG, Next Health Director of Clinical Operations & New York Medical Director, shared how Next Health is working toward democratizing access to the most advanced longevity and performance health therapies by strategically expanding locations across North America and beyond. “Our model integrates evidence-based, and scientifically validated treatments – such as hormone optimization, IV therapies, and advanced diagnostics – while ensuring rigorous safety and efficacy standards. By partnering with leading physicians and researchers, we’re able to scale these innovations responsibly, making precision health accessible to a broader audience.”
Some of the treatments that Next Health specializes in therapies that go beyond conventional medicine, include; Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE), a blood purification process that filters out inflammatory proteins and toxins, often used for immune support and chronic conditions. Candidates include those with autoimmune concerns or elevated inflammatory markers (under medical supervision) and Ozone Therapy, a less familiar but potentially supportive modality for immune modulation and circulation. While some studies show promise, we emphasize its use only in clinically appropriate cases and avoid unsubstantiated claims.
“We’re constantly evaluating emerging technologies with strong scientific backing. On our radar: advanced peptide therapies, AI-driven biomarker analysis, and non-invasive longevity diagnostics. We’re particularly excited about personalized gene-based interventions and metabolic health tools. Our clients prioritize proactive health optimization, with high demand for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): For age-related decline in testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid function, IV Nutrient Therapy: Tailored drips for energy, recovery, and immunity (e.g., NAD+, Myers’ cocktail), Comprehensive Lab Testing: Including epigenetics, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic panels and Red Light/Infrared Therapies: For inflammation and cellular repair. These appeal to busy professionals, athletes, and anyone seeking data-driven, preventive care.” she added.
As a physician specializing in women’s hormone health, Dr. Datta has seen firsthand how targeted interventions can transform the perimenopausal and menopausal experience. “I’m disappointed to still hear so many accounts of patients being denied hormone therapy despite being good candidates,” she stated. “I’ve even had instances such as one of my patients who went to the ER for a bad flu and was chastised by the doctor for taking on the “high risk” of hormone treatment she had recently started! He scared her right off her therapy, and she immediately started struggling with severe symptoms of crushing fatigue, brain fog, and unpredictable mood swings. She confided in me about this encounter and we talked through her actual very minimal risks. We discovered her progesterone was nearly undetectable, while her estrogen fluctuated wildly. Through precision hormone optimization (including bioidentical progesterone, low-dose estrogen patch and testosterone cream), paired with stress management and nutrient support, she regained mental clarity, stable energy, and emotional resilience within weeks. Always consult with our medical team to determine the best path for your health goals.”
As Next Health continues to bridge the gap between innovation, cutting-edge care with a root cause approach, Dr. Sha and the Next Health team are making preventative care accessible to individuals across the globe.