Dr. M. Novella Papino-Higgs is board certified in family medicine and has been in practice in the US since 2010. She obtained her medical degree from the Universita Di Genova in Italy in 2001 and completed her training at the VCU-affiliated Bon Secours St. Francis family medicine residency program in Midlothian, Virginia in 2010.

Dr. Papino bases her philosophy of medicine on the family doctors she grew up with in her small home town in Italy. The town doctor was a neighbor and friend who you saw in the markets, walking in the square, in church and at your dinner table on Sundays. He cared for your babies and your children, treating their colds, scrapes and bruises and managed your chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.

He was also there to be your wake-up call when bad habits started to affect your health. “Our town doctor was the one who told my father when he really had to address his weight – and even got him running! I believe he is the reason my father is now in his 80s and living a happy and vigorous life! That’s the doctor I strive to be.”

Dr. Papino works with her patients to develop effective coping skills to deal with the stress that is inherent in our lives today. Stress can manifest in many ways – anxiety, depression, sadness, acute illness and chronic disease – so finding ways to manage it is critical to maintaining good health.

“My father used to tell me that ignorance is your enemy and knowledge is your best friend, and I try to instill that in my patients when it comes to their health.  I want to prevent them getting sick, and the only way to do that is to teach them how to be healthy. And to have a really good laugh every day! That really is the best medicine!”

Dr. Papino and her family live in Solomons, which reminds her of the small village where she grew up on the coast of Italy. “A pharmacy, a dentist, a doctor, an ice cream shoppe – all within walking distance and on the water.  It’s perfect!”