Practical, scientifically-validated and cost effective care.

Michael Ruscio, DNM, DC and his team of doctors help individuals improve their health, both locally and at a distance. Patients can be seen via our HIPAA compliant Telehealth platform.

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High scientific standards ensure you obtain accurate, unbiased advice.

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Our recommendations come from real life experience with patients.

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We see through the symptoms and treat the root cause so you can get healthy, faster.

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The Clinical Team

We are ready to become part of your dedicated and compassionate team of specialists in integrative medicine. The Ruscio Institute for Functional Medicine can be your go-to resource for solving your gut and hormone health challenges.

Dr. Ruscio is your leading functional and integrative doctor specializing in gut related disorders such as SIBO, leaky gut, Celiac, IBS and in thyroid disorders such as hypothyroid and hyperthyroid. He is a clinical researcher and best-selling author whose practical ideas on healing chronic illness have made him an influential voice in functional and alternative medicine. His work has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals and he speaks at integrative medical conferences across the globe. Dr. Ruscio also runs an influential website and podcast at DrRuscio.com, as well as serving distance patients via Zoom.

Dr. Abbott is the medical director for Resilient Roots: Functional and Evolutionary Medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia. He completed his family medicine internship with VCU-Shenandoah Valley and is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He has completed training with the Institute for Functional Medicine, is a Kresser Institute ADAPT Level 1 clinician, and an AIP Certified Coach. He is currently the medical advisor at Autoimmune Wellness conducting collaborative research with founders Angie Alt and Mickey Trescott. He approaches medicine from an evolutionary and functional perspective and practices what he calls “spiritually focused and evolutionarily informed functional medicine.”
Dr. Mather is a board-certified Family Practice physician who practices Functional Medicine in New Orleans, LA. He graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine and Tulane University School of Public Health in 2011 and completed his residency in 2014. In his medical practice he focuses on delivering cost-effective and practical medical care with a focus on GI health. He spends a lot of time working with patients suffering from complex diseases and helping patients to optimize their longevity. When he is not working with patients you will find him chasing his three small children, exercising or meditating.
Dr. Hamlin is is a general practitioner who specializes in Functional Medicine. She received a Bachelors Degree in Nutritional Sciences from Texas A&M University prior to attending medical school at William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed an internship at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center and has completed training through the Institute of Functional Medicine. She believes that mindset is an integral part of the healing process and is passionate about optimizing health in the presence of autoimmune disease.

Gavin Guard believes that the average doctor visit is not giving patients the care and support they deserve. He graduated summa cum laude from Whitman College with a bachelor’s in biochemistry before completing graduate medical school training at the University of Colorado. Since then, he’s completed training with the Institute for Functional Medicine, is a Kresser Institute ADAPT Level 1 Clinician, a Precision Nutrition Level 1 nutrition coach, an AIP Certified Coach, and is a Certified Sports Nutritionist. His main clinical focuses include gastrointestinal disorders and metabolic disease like weight gain, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Along with the rest of the Ruscio Institute team, he is bringing the latest medical research to the forefront of clinical patient care. He wakes up every morning to help patients find lasting solutions to their health so that they can experience hope and feel restored.

The Research Team

At our center we feel there is a strong need to reform and improve practice in the field. Which is why we are continually performing clinical research at our clinic.

Michael Ruscio, DNM, DC, CEO, CMO
Robert Abbott, MD, Director of Research
Joe Mather, MD, MPH&TM, Medical Director
Gavin Guard, PA

Darla is a registered dietitian and holds a Ph.D. in food and nutrition. She has been a faculty member at Stephen F. Austin State University since 2003 and is currently serving as the Dietetic Internship Director and Coordinator for the Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics program. She has a passion for integrative and functional medicine and her research interests are in gastrointestinal nutrition, dietary supplements, and fermented foods. She trained in functional medicine from the Kalish Institute to learn a more holistic approach to healing. Outside of work, she loves to cook, read, walk, swim, and spend time with her family, including the four-legged variety.
Dr. Noora is a human geneticist and Precision Nutrition Level 2 nutrition coach with expertise in nutrition, autoimmune, gastrointestinal, and hormonal diseases. In 2008, Dr. Alakulppi graduated with her doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Helsinki Department of Biosciences. In post-graduate time, she researched celiac disease diagnostics, stem cells, and gastrointestinal microbiome. She is currently completing her Functional Medicine Nutrition Coach education in Finland. Her research interests include quantitative self/biohacking, supplements, herbs, spices, and the big four: stress, sleep, movement, and social connections. In her spare time, Dr. Alakulppi enjoys piano playing and singing.
Hannah is a medical student and osteopathic manipulative medicine fellow at Rocky Vista University in Denver, Colorado. With goals of becoming a combined family medicine and psychiatry physician, her research thus far has focused on recovery of chronic and debilitating psychiatric illnesses using lifestyle intervention strategies. While not in clinical rotations, she is teaching at RVUCOM and treating patients in the OMM outreach clinic, practicing with an approach that emphasizes the body’s innate self-healing capabilities. Outside of work, you can find her crocheting, camping, painting, or hiking with her Australian shepherd named Aloe.

Admin/Support Staff

Keeping a clinic running requires a great deal of organization and administration to take care of everything to support our patients and their immediate families.

Morgan is a Nutritionist and Health Coach specializing in functional medicine and therapeutic diets. She focuses on practical change when implementing integrative nutritional strategies and aims to bring mindfulness and compassion to each visit. She brings patient’s health goals to fruition with coaching and through her personalized grocery delivery service, HealthyCart.
Eliza is a Registered Nurse and Health Coach whose passion has always been in functional medicine and nutritional health. She is well versed in gut biome, paleo diets, SIBO, genetic variants, and chronic illness.
Jasmine is the Office Manager at the clinic. She oversees administrative functions and patient support. She strives to provide excellent customer service and an unbeatable patient experience. Jasmine has an extensive background in customer service and management. She is CPO certified and has been working in patient care for the last five years. She is an advocate for healthy living and loves seeing people regain their health through their customized programs. In her free time, you will find her hiking with her two dogs and traveling with her family
Hannah is the Patient Care Coordinator at the clinic. She strives to provide excellent customer service and an unbeatable patient experience. She is an advocate for healthy living and loves seeing people regain their health through their customized programs.

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Ruscio Institute for FM Newsletter

Don’t miss our bimonthly newsletter filled with patient success stories, the latest findings from our Research team and other information designed to help you heal.