Elizabeth Suarez, M.D., Recognized as an IRM Certified Practitioner by The Institute for Functional Medicine’s Certification Program

Bryan, TX, March 26, 2019—CHI St. Joseph Health is pleased to announce Elizabeth Suarez, M.D., as a member of the May 2018 graduating class of The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Certified Practitioners.

As an IFM Certified Practitioner of The Institute of Functional Medicine’s Certification Program (IFMCP), Dr. Suarez is uniquely trained in the Functional Medicine model to identify and treat the root causes of chronic diseases. In order to achieve the designation of IFM Certified Practitioner, Dr. Suarez has completed seven training seminars and passed stringent written and case study evaluations.

Of total healthcare costs in the United States, an estimated 86% are spent on chronic conditions. The current healthcare system is designed to treat urgent medical problems, also known as “acute” conditions. However, chronic and lifestyle-related diseases cannot be treated successfully using the same approach.  What works is an individualized approach to patients—with an emphasis on the ways our environment and lifestyle choices interact with our genes. Functional Medicine is an innovative approach to medical care. It uses the latest medical research to develop personalized care for each patient, based on his or her unique environment, lifestyle, and genes. The result is a dynamic, effective way to address chronic disease.

Dr. Suarez joins an elite group of more than 800 practitioners who are certified through IFM’s Certification Program.

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About The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM): IFM is the global leader in Functional Medicine. The mission of IFM is to serve the highest expression of individual health through the widespread adoption of Functional Medicine. For more information about IFM, please visit IFM.org.

Functional Medicine is a personalized, systems-oriented model that empowers patients and practitioners to achieve the highest expression of health by working in collaboration to address the underlying causes of disease. The primary drivers of the chronic disease epidemic are the daily interactions among an individual's genetics, environment, and lifestyle choices. Functional Medicine addresses these underlying causes of disease and equips healthcare practitioners to help their patients manage this complex, interconnected web. For more information about Functional Medicine, please visit IFM.org. About St.

Joseph Health: Established in 1936, St. Joseph Health is the healthcare leader in the Brazos Valley. The hospital system is faith-based, not-for-profit and committed to excellence and compassion in caring for the mind, body and spirit while creating healthier communities. St. Joseph Health is comprised of four hospital facilities across the Brazos Valley, including Regional Hospital, the region’s highest level trauma center. St. Joseph Medical Group operates more than a dozen primary and specialty care clinics around the region, offering expert care, closer to home. St. Joseph Health is a part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), one of the nation’s largest health systems. For more information, visit CHIStjoseph.org. [For more information, please contact Communications Manager Tracy Bates at 713-962-9347 or [email protected].]

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