My passion for functional medicine began during nursing school, when I navigated my own complex health journey. Despite being told repeatedly that “nothing was wrong,” I experienced profound fatigue, unexplained weight loss, no menstrual period and a sense that my body was failing. Eventually, I discovered the root causes—adrenal dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, and hypothalamic–pituitary axis suppression related to repeated cortisone injections as a collegiate athlete. Through functional medicine care and ultimately the healing power of Jesus my health and quality of life were restored. That experience forever shaped my approach to healthcare.
I went on to complete nursing school and pursue my Nurse Practitioner degree with the long-term goal of practicing functional medicine. During that time, I married, started a family, and graduated, eventually working alongside an exceptional neurosurgeon. While I continue to witness life-changing outcomes through spine surgery, I also see countless patients living with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and inflammatory conditions—many of whom are told nothing is wrong or are offered medications without answers.