About

Why Root?

functional Telehealth
We're a team of functional medicine doctors and dietitians who are dedicated to treating gut health, hormone, and autoimmune concerns at the Root cause. We work with people one on one in the most comprehensive functional medicine membership ever. Root membership is available nationwide and includes virtual doctor and dietitian visits, access to advanced lab testing, digital meal plans, educational resources, community support, & more. 
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A salad in a white bowl

What we do

Hormone imbalances, autoimmune disease, metabolism concerns, & gut health issues - we've been there. We've helped thousands of people and we're ready to share our proven process with everyone. Wondering where to start?
Take the Get to the Root Quiz

Our Areas of Focus

Thyroid
PCOS
Gut Health
Health Optimization
Skin Health
Hormone Balance
Autoimmune
Metabolism
Anxiety

What we offer

Your Tailored Wellness Plan


Comprehensive Functional Medicine you can actually do. After all, what's the point if it's not sustainable?  

3 Places you can start:  

  • Free online Get to the Root Quiz. Get personalized supplement, lifestyle, and article recommendations based on your concerns. 
  • Professional Grade Supplements that we've tested both in a lab AND in our programs - yes, we actually measure real results in our members using these supplements!
  • Our Functional Medicine Membership Program. Work with our expert functional medicine doctors & dietitians to finally get to the Root of your health concerns. Using our proven process 98% of Root members improve or resolve their symptoms.  
virtual visit

Meet our doctors and dietitians

Erica Armstrong
Erica Armstrong

Erica Armstrong

MD, IFMCP, Founder/CEO of Root

Author: The PCOS Thyroid Connection. The first book in the U.S. on the connection and root causes of these two conditions.

Hobbies: running, Peloton, walking my dog, playing basketball at the park with my kids - anything active! 

Favorite thing about working at Root: We are constantly innovating and improving and I love hearing everyone’s ideas.

Dr. Armstrong is not currently accepting new members.

Emily Cordes
Emily Cordes

Emily Cordes

DO, IFMCP

Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency:
Internal Medicine & Pediatrics at Western Michigan University School of Medicine
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine

Hobbies: Cooking, Fitness, Downhill Skiing, Cycling, Hiking, Gardening, Spoiling my Labrador Retriever

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! 

Bethanie Thompson
Bethanie Thompson

Bethanie Thompson

MD, IFMCP

Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Residency: Family Medicine at Michigan State University, Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by the Institute for Functional Medicine 

Hobbies: traveling with and learning new things with my daughters (like skiing!), walking my sweet black Labrador retriever, cooking, being inspired while exploring nature, Peloton, prayer. 

Favorite things about working at Root: 
I love solving health puzzles using advanced testing, lifestyle treatments, and modern medicine. Using the root cause approach, at Root I have an opportunity to optimize wellness with an individualized whole-person approach. Besides working with members, I enjoy brainstorming with a bright-minded team of medical physicians and dietitians.

Accepting New Members In: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin

Katherine Stam
Katherine Stam

Katherine Stam

DO, IFMCP

Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency:
Family Medicine at Albany Medical Center
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine

Hobbies: Hiking, yoga, kayaking, paddleboarding, cooking, reading, live music, gardening, and travel

Favorite thing about working at Root: Each person is unique based on their genetics and their environment. Each person has their own story. Functional Medicine allows me to offer personalized care and unique wellness plans.

Accepting New Members In: Michigan, Florida, New York

Cici Carter
Cici Carter

Cici Carter

MD, IFMCP

Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Residency
: Trident/Medical University of South Carolina Family Medicine
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends. Running and lifting weights.  Reading in and outside of book club. Traveling. Helping with home projects. 

Favorite thing about working at Root: I’m motivated by all the passion my colleagues and I share to help our members feel validated about their healthy journey. At Root, we strive to give our members the tools and resources to empower them to take control of their health. Our members are at the top of the priority list!

Dr. Carter is not currently accepting new members.

Working with my Root doctor and dietitian 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.
- Andrea
Amy Masterson
Amy Masterson

Amy Masterson

MS, RDN, LD

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


Danielle Fiskars-Byers
Danielle Fiskars-Byers

Danielle Fiskars-Byers

RDN, LD

Hobbies: My hobbies are running, cooking and baking. I've recently discovered a love of home renovations projects and have been learning new skills along the way. In the summer, I spend as much time as I can on our boat enjoying the water and sunshine! 

Favorite Food: I love a good salad with salmon and lots of fresh herbs!

Favorite thing about working at Root:  I love looking at each member's unique health needs and goals & then helping them to create a roadmap to feeling their best physically, mentally and emotionally! We all work together at Root to support each other and our clients which creates a culture and environment that is full of warmth. 

Lauren Hanson
Lauren Hanson

Lauren Hanson

MS, RDN, LD

Hobbies: Traveling, Peloton, house renovations and spending time with my 3 kids and husband.

Favorite food: Tacos-any and all types.

Favorite thing about working at Root: Root community is filled with members who are passionate about their health. I love having the opportunity to create meaningful and impactful nutrition recommendations while keeping in mind an individual's busy lifestyle. We need to fuel every.single.day and learning how to best do that for our bodies to optimize our health is amazing.

Stephanie Nielsen
Stephanie Nielsen

Stephanie Nielsen

MA, RDN, LD

Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, bird watching, moving my body (walking, yoga, weight training, dance), making bean-to-bar craft chocolate with my husband, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Favorite Food: There are so many delicious foods, but if I had to pick, I'd narrow it down to dark chocolate (70% or higher please), hummus, and guacamole.

Favorite Thing About Working at Root: I love supporting, connecting, and collaborating with others on their health path through a mind-body-spirit approach that helps them better connect with their body and unique needs and get to the root cause, not just cover up symptoms. I've always hoped to work and brainstorm with an amazing and supportive team of like-minded doctors and dietitians, and I get to do that at Root!

 Kelsey Stricklen
 Kelsey Stricklen

Kelsey Stricklen

MS, RDN

Hobbies: Cooking, Peloton, hiking, paddle boarding, bird watching 

Favorite food: Potatoes in any form or tacos. I also love salmon and crab 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


My Root dietitian'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".
- M.Q.
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Optimize your health at the Root cause 
You deserve to feel your best. Speak with a Root New Member Advisor to learn everything you need to know about joining the Root membership.   
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