Dr. Rahman, who moved to New Jersey with her husband at the end of 2018 and finished her residency at HMH in 2024, does a lot of educating — and explaining — when she sits down with patients.
When asked about her personal philosophy on treating patients, Momina Rahman, M.D., is crystal clear: “I approach patient care exactly how I would want myself or my loved ones to be cared for,” says the family medicine physician at Hackensack Meridian Health & Wellness Center in Clifton. “You go the extra mile for the people you care about, and I want my patients to know that I’m always going to be in their corner. I may not have answers for everything right away, but I will find a way to get them.”
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Dr. Rahman attended medical school at Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences in India. During her clinical training, she did community outreach focused on improving access to care for women and children in a rural community. That’s when she had an epiphany that informs how she relates to her patients to this day.
“We would go door to door to find out what we could do to improve the residents’ health,” she says. “From that experience, I learned that people don’t do things they don’t understand. For example, in this community, they weren’t aware of the importance of vaccination, so we took the time to explain how it can help them. The same goes for my patients today: Most people won’t follow preventive health measures if they don’t understand why they’re doing them.”
That’s why Dr. Rahman, who moved to New Jersey with her husband at the end of 2018 and finished her residency at HMH in 2024, does a lot of educating — and explaining — when she sits down with patients.
“When I meet with patients, I think it’s very important for them to know what I’m thinking and why I’m doing what I’m doing,” she says. “This can take more time, but I want every patient to leave my office feeling confident and not confused.”
In addition, she thinks it’s much more effective to focus on moderation and consistency instead of drastic measures when working with patients on health issues.
“A lot of the counseling I do is around food, and I’m real with my patients,” she says. “I would never tell a patient to eliminate a certain food from their diet unless they’re allergic to it. I don’t think that’s sustainable. But if you eat in moderation, you will see results.”
My Preventive Health Hack
“I’m going to continue strength and resistance training two to three times a week. We focus so much on how many pounds you can lift. But I’m focused on how this form of exercise strengthens my bones, improves balance and protects against osteoporosis.”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our source: Momina Rahman, M.D.
- Make an appointment online with Dr. Rahman or a physician near you, or call 800-822-8905
- Learn more about primary care services at Hackensack Meridian Health.
What Happens to Your Brain and Body When You Exercise
Discover the science behind the “runner's high” and other feel-good effects of exercise. Learn about the benefits of aerobic, strength, and balance training for your brain and body, and how to incorporate these exercises into your week.
Our Doctors Share How They Squeeze in Daily Exercise
We asked several of our doctors how they make time each day to fit in exercise. Here’s what they had to say.
Five Tips for a Healthier Workout
Three of our cardiologists share how to fit heart healthy exercise into even the busiest schedules.
Food for Thought: The Mediterranean Diet and Brain Health
The classic Mediterranean diet deserves fresh consideration. Our dietitian says it’s diverse, doable and delicious — and science says it can boost your brain.