Dr. Marguerite Weston named Women of Influence Trailblazer

Marguerite Weston, MD, IFMCP, director of functional medicine at Donaldson Health, was honored in Columbus Business First’s 2026 Women of Influence Awards for building a new functional medicine division in Central Ohio. The recognition highlights growing patient demand for physician-led functional medicine and Weston’s role in expanding care across Columbus and beyond.

Why it matters: - Dr. Marguerite Weston was recognized for building a credentialed functional medicine program in Columbus from scratch. - The award reflects rising patient demand for functional medicine in Central Ohio, especially among women seeking more time, deeper answers and better outcomes. - The honor also spotlights a model that aims to complement traditional medicine rather than replace it.

What happened: - Columbus Business First named Marguerite Weston, MD, IFMCP, a Trailblazer in its 2026 Women of Influence Awards. - The awards program is in its fourth year and recognizes women who shape their organizations, give back to Central Ohio and mentor future leaders. - This year’s class came from 138 nominations and was narrowed to 31 honorees across five categories. - Honorees were celebrated July 23 at the Exchange at Bridge Park in Dublin, Ohio. - Weston is director of functional medicine at Donaldson Health. - She joined Donaldson Health in June 2022. - Her assignment was to build a functional medicine division that did not yet exist in Columbus.

The details: - Weston built the division around physician-led care, clinical rigor and diagnostic testing, rather than a supplement-forward wellness model. - The team has grown from one provider to seven people in four years. - The division now spans dietetics, hormone health, gut health, fertility optimization and medical weight management. - Weston is dual board-certified in Family and Sports Medicine. - She holds certification from the Institute for Functional Medicine. - Weston has more than 20 years of clinical experience. - She also brings personal experience as a functional medicine patient. - Weston regularly works with Donaldson’s surgical and aesthetic teams. - That collaboration brings functional medicine into pre- and post-operative care. - Weston also helps medspa patients whose skin concerns may stem from hormonal root causes rather than topical issues. - She speaks at community health events across Central Ohio. - Her appearances have included menopause conferences at The Ohio State University and GLP-1 discussions at local breweries. - Weston is a recurring guest on Donaldson’s podcast, "Asking For a Friend." - Donaldson Health/Donaldson Plastic Surgery is a Columbus-based practice built on plastic surgery, aesthetics and medspa, and functional medicine. - The practice operates in Dublin and Lewis Center (Evans Farm), Ohio.

Between the lines: - The award suggests functional medicine has moved from a niche offering to a growing part of the regional health conversation. - Weston’s work shows how integrated care can connect surgical, aesthetic and metabolic health under one practice. - Her comments point to a broader patient shift toward self-advocacy and more personalized care. - Donaldson Health is using functional medicine to extend, not compete with, conventional care.

What's next: - Weston is building the functional medicine team further in Columbus and across Ohio. - Donaldson Health will likely continue using the division to support patients who want longer visits and more individualized treatment plans. - Weston will keep representing the practice through community talks, clinical collaboration and podcast appearances.

The bottom line: - Donaldson Health’s functional medicine push has turned into an award-winning growth story, and Weston is now one of the local faces of that shift.