Kudos: Daphne Nurse Practitioner Certified in Functional Medicine
Tara McLellan, owner of Integrative Healthcare of Lower Alabama, in Daphne, recently received her certification from the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM). Originally from Mobile, McLellan has been a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner for more than 10 years and is also an instructor for the Master of Science in Nursing program at the University of South Alabama.
According to IFM, the functional medicine model is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness. It requires a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical and lifestyle factors and leverages that data to direct personalized treatment plans that lead to improved patient outcomes.
“I decided to pursue certification through IFM because they set the gold standard for the education and clinical practice of functional medicine globally. They are also instrumental in researching functional medicine principles so that I can be confident that I am delivering research-based care to my patients,” says McLellan, who was moved by the presenting doctors at the first IFM conference she attended. “I knew I had met my tribe! They were passionate about truly helping their patients achieve health and they equally stressed how important collaboration with your patient is in achieving this.”
IFM works to advance the highest expression of individual health by advocating functional medicine as the standard of care. They launched the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine with Dr. Mark Hyman and collaborate with academia to incorporate functional medicine into curriculum.
For more information, call 251-210-8615 or visit AlabamaIntegrativeHealth.com.
