About
Why Root?
We're a team of doctors, dietitians and chefs who are dedicated to treating women's hormones at the Root cause. We use functional medicine and food with purpose.
What we do
Period problems, PCOS, fertility, fatigue, cravings - we've been there. We've treated thousands of women's hormone issues through their reproductive years and we're ready to share our methods with everyone.
Our Areas of Focus
Autoimmune
Fertility
Food Sensitivities
Gut Health
PCOS
Period Problems
Skin Health
Thyroid
What we offer
Your Personalized Wellness Plan
We stop the overwhelm from nutrition mis-information and give you what you need to balance your plate, your hormones, and your life through our:
- Online Assessment and Recommendations
- Farmacy fully prepared and delivered meals straight from our clinical recommendations
- Supplements that we've tested both in a lab AND in our clinical programs - yes, we actually measure real results in our members using these supplements!
- Online Programs so you can use our steps at your own pace
- 1 on 1 clinical consultation programs via telehealth (limited to those living in Michigan)
Meet our doctors and dietitians
Erica Armstrong
MD, IFMCP, Founder of Root
Hobbies: running, Peloton, walking my dog, playing basketball at the park with my kids - anything active!
Favorite Food: Dark chocolate
Favorite thing about working at Root: We are constantly innovating and improving and I love hearing everyone’s ideas.
Bethanie Thompson
MD, IFMCP
Hobbies: skiing, We look forward to this in West Michigan winters!
Favorite food: blueberries, especially picking them fresh!
Favorite thing about working at Root: Learning new things: the way that we work in a doctor, dietitian, chef team means we are always learning new things about nutrition and lifestyle.
Marzena Slater
MD, IFMCP
Hobbies: Spending time in nature- walks, hiking, skiing, running. Traveling. Reading
Favorite Food: I love Root Farmacy :) . I'm gluten and dairy free- so always looking for healthy substitutions. I love any wild caught salmon dishes, pan sheet veggie recipes, crockpot meals when the weather gets cooler. My heritage is Polish- so dill pickle soup is a delicious staple at our house.
Favorite thing about working at Root: There are so many things I love about working at Root, that I can't just pick one. At the top of my list- The people I work with, the collegial atmosphere, the common goal of delivering food as medicine to our community and beyond, and of course helping clients recover from years of chronic symptoms with the food as medicine approach.
Working with Dr. Marzena Slater and Amy Masterson has been the most rewarding health experience. Within a month I saw a dramatic reduction in my symptoms and over time they continue to improve.
Emily Cordes
DO
Hobbies: Cooking, Fitness, Downhill Skiing, Cycling, Hiking, Gardening, Spoiling my Labrador Retriever
Favorite Foods: Coffee, Dark Chocolate, Tacos (w/ guac!)
Favorite thing about working at Root: Practicing at Root allows me to truly get to know each person, put the puzzle of symptoms together and then create a solution as a team (Root member/Physician/Dietitian). This is how I always imagined I would practice medicine. Plus, I get to work with an awesome team and talk about food all day!
Kelsey Stricklen
MS, RD, CLT
Hobbies: Cooking, Peloton, hiking, paddle boarding, bird watching
Favorite food: Potatoes in any form or tacos. Favorite meal ever - Root Farmacy salmon cakes!
Favorite thing about working at Root: Helping people sort through all of the confusing and conflicting nutrition information out there and figuring out what works best for THEIR body. I also love our team approach! Being able to collaborate with other providers on each case is so helpful.
Jenn Struik
MS, RD, Executive Chef
Hobbies: Boxing, experimenting with new recipes, and hiking with my pup, Dex :)
Favorite food(s): Right now, I'm loving homemade pasta with a simple from scratch tomato sauce. My favorite foods tend to rotate quite a bit but simple foods with quality ingredients are always what I go for.
Favorite thing about working at Root: The people! So many fun personalities and everyone is just full of energy. It makes days go by very quickly.
Kelsey's advice has been very helpful in tweaking things for me to make this a long-term way of living, not a quick fix or "diet".
Amy Masterson
MS, RD
Hobbies: Cooking, hiking, camping
Favorite food: Can't decide between tacos & potatoes
Favorite thing about working at Root: Always trying to do the right (actually helpful, sustainable) thing even if it's not the sexy thing
Employer who understands overall health and stress management
Working with other amazing women
Always a lot of exciting things going on
Gracie Sanchez
RDN, CLT, IFNCP
Hobbies: Biking & cooking or baking with unique ingredients in the kitchen with my kids. I love seeing their reactions!
Favorite foods: Right now, spicy foods! Spicy ramen bowls or Indian food!
Favorite thing about working at Root: I love our team! Collaborating with a team that has similar goals when it comes to the type of patient care we give is wonderful and transformational!
Lindsey Dubey
Health Coach
Hobbies: Going on adventures with my partner and my dog, Isabelle aka Isabellyrub, movement/fitness of all kinds, cooking, baking, cozying up on the couch with a good book and going to shows!
Favorite Foods: So many to list. I love food and I love cooking. Staples in our house are homemade beet or sweet potato gnocchi with homemade pesto from the garden, chicken curry and taco night!
Favorite thing about working at Root: Being surrounded with like-minded people who are focused on hearing people's stories and helping them to truly heal from within.