Exercise is a big part of daily life for Jason Mendelsohn, M.D., but don’t ask him to hit the treadmill. While he’s a proponent of any type of exercise, the family medicine physician at Hackensack University Medical Center would much rather “throw myself into a new hobby,” opting for an eclectic mix of activities that include rock climbing, tumbling, dancing, hiking and snowboarding.

“I’ve always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie. Anything that gets the heart going is fun,” says Dr. Mendelsohn, who joined Hackensack Meridian Health in 2021 and treats patients ages 10 and up at Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group in Lodi, New Jersey. “It’s good to keep yourself fulfilled and entertained outside of work. I’m definitely open to new experiences.”

Helping a broad mix of patients with various health needs also fuels the New Jersey native, who relishes the long-term relationships he’s able to build by interacting with the same people year in and out. “The best part of the job is when you feel you’ve made a difference for someone or influenced them in a positive way,” says the 33-year-old.

What attracted you to a career in medicine?

Wanting to do good in the world. I did well in the sciences in school, and this seemed like a good match between something I wanted to do and something I’m able to do well.

What insights do you share with patients about exercise and eating habits?

The best exercise is the one you enjoy. A lot of recreational activities have similar effects as exercise. The more you enjoy doing something, the less you’ll think of it as a chore. If you hate hitting the treadmill like I do, the good news about healthy eating is that it’s actually 90 percent of the battle. I try to help people get on board with eating and exercise habits in ways they feel are sustainable for them.

If you could have dinner with a celebrity, past or present, who would it be and why?

Jon Stewart, with special shout-outs to Terry Crews, Dave Grohl and Danny DeVito. They all seem like incredibly high-spirited, down-to-earth people. Jon Stewart happens to highlight a lot of issues I’m partial to, including his efforts championing health care benefits for 9/11 first responders. Talk about changing the world for the better!

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

The moon, but I’m limited to Earth, then New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Iceland and Costa Rica are solid back-ups.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Jason Mendelsohn, M.D.
• To make an appointment with Dr. Mendelsohn or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.

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