Big news from Apothecary & Co.! Hillary passed the Institute for Functional Medicine board exam and is officially an IFM Certified Practitioner (IFMCP)! Five years of deep-dive education, more than $20k invested, and a mountain of clinical hours later, she’s now part of the global network of doctors using an evidence-based, functional lens. What’s the big deal about the certification, and how is functional medicine different from the everyday visit to a conventional doctor? Keep reading to find out!
Hillary’s Journey from Pharmacy to Functional Medicine
Hillary’s plunge into functional medicine wasn’t something she ever planned; it was something she needed. When her husband faced a rare cancer diagnosis and the clinical staff had few alternatives to offer, she searched beyond a conventional protocol. Functional medicine opened the door, and she stepped through it, committed to making every ounce of knowledge actionable.
In 5 years, she completed 6 certified modules, digging deep into:
- Hormones (focusing on women’s health and thyroid)
- Gut health
- Detoxification
- Cardiovascular support
- Immune system optimization
Having now earned her IFMCP designation, Hillary’s insight is sharper and her confidence bigger. Those three extra letters don’t change her heart; they authorize the depth she already practiced every day.
What Functional Medicine Is
Functional medicine flips the usual question from “what is wrong” to “why is this happening?” So, if someone shows up with a thyroid disorder, the standard process of prescribing levothyroxine is the quickest answer many receive. But a functional provider asks the “why” and what caused the problem in the first place: Has chronic stress impacted hormone signaling? Is the gut missing a key microbiome balance? Are important nutrients being flushed out?
This upstream hunting for root causes means treating the source, not covering up the red flag with another pill, and it’s part of a bigger shift. Functional medicine’s “why” thinking connects the dots: brain, microbiome, hormones, liver, and relationships are a network, not 20 unrelated pieces. We examine every piece of the puzzle: how well you sleep, what’s on your plate, past trauma, who you live and work with, how you move, and the air you breathe. All of it adds to (or subtracts from) your health.
What Functional Medicine Is Not
Let’s drop the myth: functional medicine isn’t woo-woo alternative medicine on the fringe of wellness. It’s a rigorously peer-reviewed, evidence-rich discipline delivered by state-licensed, board-certified healers: MDs, pharmacists, chiropractors, psychiatrists, and dentists.
Here’s the irony: much of functional training lives outside the med-school curriculum. Legacy systems and blockbuster revenues hover over root-cause curriculum, quietly disfavoring insights that disrupt patent timing. Thus, “no evidence” sometimes means “we never cared to check.” Healthcare is a search term in need of honest maps.
The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) has tightened its continuing education requirements to mirror the standards that pharmacists and physicians follow. This isn’t a casual guideline; it’s a demand for the level of professionalism that functional medicine and its patients deserve. Treat it like the bona fide branch of medicine it is.
A Different Kind of Health Consultation
Functional medicine is anything but a speed date. Your first meeting runs 60 to 120 minutes. The forms you fill out are 16 pages long. You explore your diet and trauma, digestion and sleep, relationships and toxins, literally everything that might tip your biochemical balance.
The promise is straightforward: arm your body with the right nutrients, lifestyle choices, evidence-based testing, and micro-targeted supplements, and let it heal itself. When you start, you’re a little daunted. A year later, you’re relieved. The body knows what to do when you surround it with what it actually needs. The trick is to follow through.
The Tests You Actually Need
Unlike other expensive clinics with high upfront fees, we value transparency by helping patients:
- Use insurance for labwork when possible
- Pay labs directly to decrease costs
- Choose only relevant functional medicine testing (think food sensitivity panels, comprehensive hormone testing, and gut microbiome analysis)
You’re not working with the latest influencer or health coach either, but rather a state-licensed practitioner with years of clinical experience.
A Collective Approach to Healing
Hillary’s philosophy is simple: it takes a village and a vision. A single clinician can’t untangle everything that makes a body break. Chiropractors, integrative psychiatrists, nutritionists, and trauma-informed therapists create a network of holistic support.
Healing isn’t a contest where finishing a single protocol counts. It’s a lifelong negotiation of resources and resolve. With the right support and mindset, it’s certainly possible.
What’s Next for Hillary
Hillary’s recent success on the IFMCP exam isn’t a finish line; it’s a launch pad. She’s already taking courses on psychedelic-assisted therapy, clinical herbalism, and advanced nutrition training. Because in her words, “I get bored easily.” But more importantly, she understands that client empowerment requires a functional medicine practitioner equally powered by the evolving advancements of science and technology. To her, staying current isn’t just optional, but a responsibility.
Ready to Explore Functional Medicine?
Join Hillary and the team at Apothecary and Co. and step into the future of functional medicine, offering care that’s evidence-based, thorough, and personalized. If you’re tired of dealing with the limits of traditional medicine, schedule a functional medicine consultation to learn more about our approach.
