Dr. Marissa Foster, MD is a physician, mental health advocate, and wellness professional with a passion for guiding others toward healing and purposeful living. A graduate of Harvard University, she went on to earn both an MD and a Master of Science degree, later entering residency training at Yale University.

While her path in conventional medicine was profoundly shaped by personal trials—including the sudden loss of both parents and a life-threatening illness—these experiences ultimately refined and redirected her calling. Rather than seeing these events as obstacles, she came to recognize them as the foundation for a deeper and more holistic approach to healing.

Dr. Marissa has always been drawn to the psychological and emotional dimensions of care. As a medical student, she found her greatest fulfillment in working with patients facing complex psychiatric and social challenges, including veterans, individuals with eating disorders, and incarcerated populations. This consistent thread of compassionate connection also characterized her work in education, child care, and community engagement.

Her subsequent professional development includes training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), faith-based CBT, and Nutritional and Wellness Coaching. These tools allow her to integrate emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and nutritional strategies into a unified approach to healing and personal growth.

Now based in coastal North Carolina, Dr. Marissa has joined the team at Renew Wellness Center, where she brings her unique blend of medical training, life experience, and spiritual insight to a broader community. Her practice is rooted in the belief that healing is not merely the absence of disease, but the active pursuit of wholeness: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.