About
Redefining Women’s Health, Midlife, and the Menopause Transition
Dr. Michelle Tollefson, MD, FACOG, DipABLM, FACLM, is an internationally recognized, double board-certified OB-GYN and lifestyle medicine physician, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP), certified health and wellness coach, author, researcher, educator, and global speaker dedicated to transforming the way women experience midlife and aging. Her work centers on one guiding belief: midlife is not a decline—it is a redesign.
From her early clinical years practicing full-scope OB-GYN care to her pioneering leadership in lifestyle medicine, Dr. Tollefson has helped women understand their physiology, embrace their strengths, and thrive across the lifespan. Her experience as a breast cancer thriver who entered sudden menopause at age 42 adds a powerful layer of empathy, clarity, and lived experience to her scientific expertise.
A Leader in Women’s Health, Education, and Lifestyle Medicine
Dr. Tollefson is a nationally and internationally recognized leader advancing the future of women’s health and lifestyle medicine. She serves as:
Chair of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine’s International Competencies Committee, which developed the standards for Women’s Health Lifestyle Medicine.
Editor-in-Chief of Improving Women’s Health Across the Lifespan.
Co-author of the PAVING series, including evidence-based guides for menopause, wellness, and breast cancer survivorship.
Co-founder of the Women’s Health Member Interest Group of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Executive Board Member of PAVING the Path to Wellness, a nonprofit organization implementing an internationally adopted curriculum.
Lead Faculty for the Blue Zones Certification for Physicians & Health Professionals (in collaboration with ACLM).
Professor of Lifestyle Medicine and Public Health at Metropolitan State University of Denver, an equity-driven Hispanic-Serving Institution committed to serving historically underserved and first-generation students.
For over 15 years, she has taught and mentored thousands of students. Her deep commitment to equity—and MSU Denver’s mission—fuels her work and inspires her efforts to reduce health disparities in midlife and beyond.
Her early-career years in clinical OB-GYN practice and volunteer service in underserved medical clinics deeply inform her worldview. These real-world experiences ground her approach in both scientific rigor and practical relevance, shaping her understanding of how healthcare systems can better support women across every stage of life.
A Breast Cancer Thriver with a Message of Hope
Dr. Tollefson’s sudden entry into menopause during chemotherapy fundamentally reshaped her understanding of survivorship, midlife, and women’s health. Her lived experience strengthens her advocacy and fuels her mission to bring clarity, compassion, and hope to women navigating their own transitions.
She blends rigorous evidence with relatable storytelling, making her a trusted voice for clinicians, organizations, and women worldwide.
International Speaker & Educator
Dr. Tollefson’s presentations are known for turning complex science into clear, actionable insights. She has delivered keynotes and workshops for women’s health conferences, lifestyle medicine organizations, academic medical centers, corporate wellness programs, global summits, and continuing education programs—including live sessions for Harvard Medical School’s Emeritus platform.
Advancing the Science of Women’s Health
Her academic and professional work focuses on transforming women’s health through prevention, empowerment, and evidence-based strategies. Her key areas of expertise include:
The menopause transition and midlife as a clinical redesign moment
Lifestyle medicine pillars—nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, social connection—for symptom relief, metabolic health, and healthy aging
Breast cancer survivorship and recurrence risk reduction
Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs) for menopause, survivorship, and lifestyle intervention
Redesigning healthcare delivery to improve access, equity, and impact
Health disparities and global women’s health
Behavior change and motivational science
Her mission is to translate the latest science into meaningful, real-world action for women everywhere.
PAVING the Path to Wellness Groups for Menopause, Midlife, and Beyond
I no longer provide individual clinical care, but I continue to support women through educational, group-based, wellness-focused programs offered through PAVING the Path to Wellness, a nonprofit organization.
These group gatherings are designed to help women:
Understand their physiology with evidence and clarity
Navigate the menopause transition with confidence
Apply lifestyle medicine tools to support well-being
Connect with a supportive community
Build resilience, purpose, and joy in midlife and beyond
These sessions are educational and community-based, not medical care or treatment.
Women from around the world are welcome to join. Scholarships are available.
Learn more or register through PAVING the Path to Wellness.
In Her Own Words
“I meet women exactly where they are—with compassion, clarity, and evidence. My role is to help them redesign their healthspan, reclaim their power, and thrive through midlife and beyond.”
Invite Dr. Tollefson to Speak or Collaborate
If you’re seeking a trusted, inspiring, evidence-based speaker who brings science to life and empowers audiences to rethink women’s health, Dr. Tollefson would be honored to connect.