The What and Why of Functional Medicine

People ask me all these questions all the time. “Did you always want to be a doctor?” My quick answer is “nope!,” but the truth is that God had much bigger plans for me, as he does for us all. Being raised in an entrepreneurial family (3rd generation Oil & Gas), I was surrounded by many businessmen and businesswomen (and a few lawyers too). Until the age of 12, my only exposure to medical professionals was unpleasant office visits with my pediatrician and his nurses who pricked my finger or gave me shots. Soon after becoming a preteen, it was recommended that I have my cholesterol checked. Both of my grandfathers had died from cardiovascular disease, and my parents were both found to have high cholesterol at a young age. My results were shocking! My total cholesterol was >300 with LDL >200. As a highly competitive ballerina and with minimal %body fat, my genetics were at play. Ultimately, my pediatrician did not know what to do, so he sent me to Texas Children’s, where I was diagnosed with familial hyperlipidemia. Subsequently, I became managed by Dr. Jones, my family doctor, who practiced with a functional mindset. He emphasized nutrition and lifestyle management, encouraging me to eat oatmeal (fiber!) every AM and to add yoga to my cardiovascular exercise routine. I took his recommendations to “heart” (no pun intended). This early diagnosis was the beginning of my understanding of wellness and my entry into medicine. With plans to own a dance studio, I set off to Tuscaloosa to major in Dance and Business Administration. I was fortunate to have graduated from Caddo Magnet High, where I clepted-out of several AP science classes. I was not initially interested in taking any collegiate level sciences, but I had to take at least one in order to graduate. So, I tossed a coin – Organic Chemistry vs. Biochemistry vs. Microbiology??? Well, Organic Chemistry it was. And, who knew?! I LOVED It. My professor also saw my potential and hired me to become his research assistant, and then he convinced me to take the MCAT (entrance exam to medical school). Meanwhile, my father’s cardiac condition was declining. He had his first MI (myocardial infarction) or heart attack in his late 40s, and he continued to have “events” annually after that. After receiving several cardiac stents, he underwent open heart surgery (or cardiac bypass) which he overcame like a champ. During this time, an article in News Week was written about my family – it was entitled “Meet the O’Brien’s.” This article discussed the importance of family history in the prevention of heart disease. With the MCAT under my belt, the signs were clear – next up medical school. Throughout medical school, I often verbalized that I wanted to be a Cardiologist because of my personal and family history. I started down the path of Internal Medicine but soon realized that Family Medicine was a better fit. So, I returned home to marry my husband (a Bossier boy!) and completed my residency. Then, I took my first real job at The Family Doctors in Shreveport, working alongside my role model, Dr. Jones. Now, many decades later, I reflect on God’s hand at play. As a Family Doctor and newly certified IFM (Institute of Functional Medicine) provider, I can’t imagine my life without medicine. I love caring for my patients in their totality, and I love looking upstream to truly prevent worse things to come. With my interest in Cardiology, I recently became the first provider in North Louisiana to offer Cleerly, a diagnostic imaging tool that uses AI-technology to evaluate plaque burden and cardiac risk – “a virtual heart cath” in a sense. My first patient was my brother. His scan uncovered a high-risk plaque at the age of 39. He is now managing closely with his Cardiologist and doing GREAT, living a healthy lifestyle. In fact, he reported this week that he ran a 6-minute mile. I feel blessed to have played an important role in his healthcare and perhaps helped to save his life (indirectly). Now, I see it so “clearly.” My profession in medicine is more than just serendipity. I am so very thankful for God’ direction and for all my patients who allow me to care for them and, in return, fill my soul.

My first experience with Functional Medicine was more than a decade ago; however, at the time I didn’t realize it. I was told in my early 30s that I had unexplained infertility. Just like many of my patients, I moved from one OB/GYN to another searching for answers. I could not understand how my mother, grandmother and aunts did not have problems conceiving, yet I was in this predicament. My genetics did not seem to be my disadvantage. So, how? why? Well…I had several environmental factors working against me that my ancestors did not. As an adolescent athlete, I was started on birth control or “cycle control.” Having a period was simply a hinderance. At the same time, being raised in the 90s, I was a product of the fast-food generation. Although my parents tried to limit my exposure, I ate way more sugar and processed foods than prior generations. Lastly, I was a young professional, striving to be a successful doctor and not yet understanding the importance of life balance; stress was abundant. Unfortunately, I hadn’t thought much about starting a family until suddenly it was becoming “too late,” and damage from external factors were setting in. In 2012, I met with a fertility specialist. He encouraged me to start down the path of artificial insemination. Matt, my husband, was “just fine” - let’s be honest, his parts are a little less complicated than mine. I felt pressure to “perform” just like other aspects of my life. The stress of fertility treatments was taxing and lovemaking quickly became less fun, less intimate. After nearly 3 exhausting years without a single pregnancy, I decided to take a break or “pause.” Thankfully, during this time, I met Fr. Ubald Rugirangoga. Fr. Ubald, a Catholic priest known for his “healing power,” was visiting Shreveport to pray for an extended family member and, not by coincidence, our paths crossed. He knew immediately after a brief visit that I was broken. With my fertility struggles, I had lost hope and, in return, lost faith. He prayed for me and with me, and he taught me to believe and to hope once again. Then, six weeks later, I naturally conceived. I told everyone that it was Fr. Ubald’s “hotline to GOD” that helped me to get pregnant. But, we all know that it’s much bigger and more complicated than that. Less than a year later, in July of 2015, we met Stella Rae, our perfect daughter. We did not know the gender of our first born until we met her. Matt and I had agreed; if we were to have son, we would call him “Ubbie” after Fr. Ubald. Then, in 2020, during COVID, I found myself in the same situation. As we all know, patterns are not easily broken. Again, stressed and living an unhealthy life, I was unable to conceive. I had plans to meet Fr. Ubald and was looking forward to our reunion when he caught COVID and died. His death was heart-breaking. I can still hear his voice and feel his healing touch. I was determined to keep him “alive” for myself and for others. I began telling others about him and encouraged others to read his newly written book, Forgiveness makes you Free. For some time, I had forgotten about me. Instead of worrying about my inadequacies, I spent hours praying the prayers that he taught me. And, once again, a few months later, I NATURALLY conceived! I knew in my heart that Fr. Ubald was smiling down at me. I n October 2021, Matt and I had our son - “Little Ubald.” Our close friends and family call “Ubbie,” and others know him as Rhett, a true blessing. Ultimately, Fr. Ubald gave me life in many ways. He not only re-aligned my energy from my soul to my uterus but he taught me the importance of prayer, forgiveness and acceptance – key factors in one’s spiritual healing and an essential component of the Functional Medicine matrix. Ellie O. Hudnall, MD The Center for the Secret of Peace Ministries