Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner
Sarah Piestrup is officially a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner through The Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM). Sarah started her journey with IFM in October of 2010 with their AFMCP course. She studied with IFM throughout her training as an Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), applying all she learned in practice while integrating it into her classes, papers and projects so she fully grasped the science, detail and functional medicine process of treating each patient individually from the root cause. Treating from the root was something she was taught as a foundation of her training as a traditional Oriental Medicine practitioner which is what drew her into the program at IFM in the first place. Now she integrates her practice with the ancient wisdom of tradition with modern science using observation lab reports and patient histories to help her patients find their optimal state of wellness using the Functional Medicine model as a web for the foundations she has as an Family Nurse Practitioner, Acupuncturist and Herbalist.
The IFM Certification Program provides the most comprehensive training available in Functional Medicine. The educational materials have been developed by the leaders in the field, and IFM’s teaching faculty have a depth of experience and knowledge honed not only by many years of practice but also by their commitment to the ongoing development of core concepts, tools, and applications. Your IFMCP experience will include:
- A patient-centered, systems biology approach
- Evaluation of principal underlying antecedents, triggers, and mediators in the patient workup
- In-depth application of important dietary, nutraceutical, phytonutrient, mind/body, and pharmacological therapies
- Detailed clinical applications of core functional laboratory testing
- Deepening of practitioner communication skills focused on developing a therapeutic partnership relationship with patients
- Lecture and case-based learning
- Onsite and online educational activities
- Comprehensive assessment of the fundamental physiological systems that organize the key clinical imbalances and are affected by the mental-emotional-spiritual core: Assimilation, Communication, Defense and repair, Transport, Energy, Structural Integrity, Biotransformation and elimination
STEPS TO CERTIFY
- Apply for acceptance into the program
- Complete the 7 following courses:
- Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP)
- All six Functional Medicine Advanced Practice Modules®(APMs)
- Achieve a passing grade on one case report submitted using an IFM-provided template
- Achieve a passing grade on a written examination following completion of all coursework and submission of the case report by the date set
- Successfully complete the above requirements within 7 years from an approved application