Portrait of Dr. Maite Diaz, DNP at ExcelLife Integrative Care

Meet your provider

Meet Dr. Maite Diaz, DNP

I discovered my passion for medicine at a very young age. I was only 16 years old when I began my medical career in Cuba, and a few years later, I fulfilled my dream of becoming a Family Physician.

Book a Free Consult Read Her Story

My journey

A long road

Practicing medicine in Cuba taught me lessons that still guide me today. Because of limited resources and challenging working conditions, I couldn’t always rely on medications or advanced technology. I learned to listen carefully, think critically, and focus on treating the whole person—not just the diagnosis. Many of my patients struggled with hormone imbalances, chronic fatigue, digestive issues, and unexplained symptoms that conventional medicine often couldn’t fully explain or resolve. Those experiences sparked my passion for Functional and Integrative Medicine long before it became widely recognized.

Later, I had the incredible opportunity to serve as a missionary physician in Rwanda, Africa. For two years, I cared for thousands of patients in underserved communities, often with very limited medical resources. It was one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences of my life. The people I met and the lessons I learned left a lasting mark on my heart, and I hope to return one day.

In 2009, I immigrated to the United States with the dream of continuing my medical career. Unfortunately, the Cuban government did not release my medical school transcripts, which meant I had to start over from the very beginning. It wasn’t easy. I became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), then a Registered Nurse (RN), then a Nurse Practitioner (NP), and eventually earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Capella University. Today, I am dual board certified through both the ANCC and AANP. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every challenge strengthened my determination and made me a more compassionate provider.

Dr. Maite Diaz, DNP caring for a patient at ExcelLife

22+

Years combined experience

Years as a Physician in Cuba

Years as a Missionary Doctor in Africa

Years as a Nurse Practitioner in the US

Her approach

That experience completely changed the way I practice medicine. I know what it feels like to be told that everything is “normal” when you know your body is trying to tell you something different. That’s why I take the time to truly listen. I want to understand your story, not just review your lab results.

Why this is personal

There had to be another way

While my professional journey has shaped me, the experience that changed my life the most was a personal one. When I entered my 40s, I slowly stopped feeling like myself. I had always been active, healthy, energetic, and loved spending time outdoors. Then things began to change.

I was constantly exhausted. I couldn’t sleep. I gained weight despite eating well and exercising. I struggled with brain fog, anxiety, mood swings, bloating, low libido, and memory problems. I no longer recognized the person I had always been. Like many of my patients, I searched for answers. I visited multiple healthcare providers, but I kept hearing the same responses: “Your labs are normal.” “You’re just getting older.” “Maybe you’re depressed.” “This is just part of aging.” Deep down, I knew something wasn’t right.

Within two years, I found myself taking medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and acid reflux, yet I still didn’t feel better. I knew there had to be another way. So I decided to become my own patient. I immersed myself in studying hormones, metabolism, nutrition, gut health, inflammation, and Functional Medicine. I changed my lifestyle, optimized my nutrition, corrected my hormone imbalances, and addressed the underlying causes of my symptoms instead of simply masking them. Little by little, I got my life back. Today, I have the energy to enjoy my family, run my practice, travel, exercise, and live the healthy, active life I thought I had lost.

Training and study

Learning never stops

After earning my DNP, I pursued advanced training in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) through the BHRT Academy, where I trained under respected leaders in the field, including Donna White and Dr. Deborah Matthew.

I later became certified in Functional and Nutritional Medicine through the American Academy of Functional Health and continue my education through the Functional Medicine Academy, the Institute for Functional Medicine, and other leading educational programs.

I believe learning never stops, and I am committed to bringing my patients the most current, evidence-based care available.

Her promise

At ExcelLife Integrative Care, my mission is simple: to help men and women uncover the root cause of why they don’t feel their best. Whether you’re struggling with hormone imbalances, thyroid disorders, insulin resistance, digestive issues, chronic fatigue, weight gain, perimenopause, menopause, or low testosterone, my goal is to create a personalized plan that helps you restore your health—not just manage your symptoms.

I don’t believe you should have to accept feeling “normal for your age.” I believe you deserve to feel energetic, confident, mentally sharp, and healthy at every stage of life.

My greatest joy is seeing someone walk into my office feeling exhausted, frustrated, and discouraged, then watching them regain their energy, confidence, and quality of life. Helping people feel like themselves again isn’t just my profession.

It’s my purpose.

Book a Free Consult Call (727) 312-4042