Functional medicine is a clinical model that maps patient symptoms to underlying physiology using the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Matrix, an organizing framework covering antecedents, triggers, mediators, and seven biological nodes. In Tennessee, physicians who practice this model remain licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners under TCA Title 63, Chapter 6, and nurse practitioners by the Tennessee Board of Nursing under TCA Title 63, Chapter 7. The IFM Certified Practitioner (IFMCP) credential, now offered through the Functional Medicine Certification Program (FMCP), requires advanced practice training, case write-ups, and a certifying examination administered by the Institute for Functional Medicine. Most practitioners layer the functional model on top of a primary ABMS or AANP credential, such as ABFM Family Medicine, ABIM Internal Medicine, ABEM Emergency Medicine, or ANCC nurse practitioner certification. The three Nashville-area practices below each list a verified IFMCP credential and a publicly listed clinic address.
Quick Comparison #
| Practice | Lead Practitioner | Primary Credentials |
|---|---|---|
| MaxWell Clinic | David Haase MD | ABFM Family Medicine + ABIHM + IFMCP, IFM Lead Faculty |
| Vitality Medical Wellness Center | Sommer White MD | ABEM Emergency Medicine + IFMCP |
| Art of Healing Functional Medicine | Deb York APRN | APRN + IFMCP, mental health and functional integration |
1. MaxWell Clinic #
MaxWell Clinic was founded in 2003 by David Haase MD, IFMCP, who graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, completed residency at Mayo Clinic, and holds ABMS board certification in Family Medicine through the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), with additional certification through the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine (ABIHM, a non-ABMS specialty board). Dr. Haase serves as Lead Faculty for the Institute for Functional Medicine, teaching IFM curriculum to clinicians nationally. The Brentwood facility occupies roughly 12,000 square feet on Continental Place.
Treatment Scope #
The practice uses the IFM Matrix to guide root-cause workups across cognitive decline, autoimmune presentations, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic fatigue. Diagnostic panels include the metabolic chemistry panel (CMP), advanced lipid profiling, cortisol rhythm, fatty acid analysis, micronutrient testing, and bioelectrical impedance analysis for body composition.
Treatment Modalities #
Clinical programs include the structured MaxWell Care Program in 3-month and 12-month formats, therapeutic plasma exchange, neurofeedback, intravenous nutrient therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ketamine infusion under appropriate medical indication, regenerative injection therapy, and a cognitive health evaluation pathway. The clinic also coordinates patients into IRB-reviewed clinical trials when eligible.
MaxWell Clinic
103 Continental Place, Suite 300
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 370-0091
https://www.maxwellclinic.com/
2. Vitality Medical Wellness Center #
Vitality Medical Wellness Center is led by Sommer White MD, IFMCP, who holds American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) certification as her primary specialty alongside Institute for Functional Medicine certification. Dr. White layers functional medicine workup onto an emergency medicine differential-diagnosis training base. The practice is located on Belle Forest Circle in West Nashville near the Bellevue area.
Treatment Scope #
The clinic combines functional medicine evaluation with regenerative and aesthetic services. Functional medicine intake addresses metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory presentations, supported by lab panels covering cortisol, sex hormones, lipid sub-fractionation, micronutrient testing, and food sensitivity panels when clinically indicated.
Treatment Modalities #
Service lines include intravenous nutrient therapy, NAD+ infusion, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, peptide therapy under physician supervision, ozone and neural therapy, and procedural offerings for sexual health and aesthetic concerns. The practice displays IFM, ABEM, and additional credentialing logos on patient-facing materials.
Vitality Medical Wellness Center
125 Belle Forest Circle, Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37221
(615) 891-7500
https://www.sommerwhitemd.com/
3. Art of Healing Functional Medicine #
Art of Healing was established in 2014 by Deb York APRN, IFMCP, who initially focused on mental health and expanded into full functional medicine practice in 2018. As an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, York is licensed by the Tennessee Board of Nursing under TCA Title 63, Chapter 7 and holds the IFM Certified Practitioner credential through the Institute for Functional Medicine.
Treatment Scope #
The practice integrates psychiatric medication management, trauma-focused therapy including EMDR, and functional medicine workup. Lab panels can include genetic interpretation, food sensitivity testing, hormone panels, and specialized oncology-adjacent testing through outside reference laboratories.
Treatment Modalities #
Services include neurofeedback and brain mapping, intravenous nutrient therapy with adjunctive ozone and ultraviolet light protocols, NAD+ infusion, peptide therapy, and integrative protocols that bridge mental health management with metabolic and gastrointestinal workup. The practice describes itself as a holistic care model with patient-specific protocol design.
Art of Healing Functional Medicine
922 Harpeth Valley Place, Suite 2, Nashville, TN 37221
(615) 866-5269
Selection Methodology #
Each practice was reviewed against four criteria. First, the lead practitioner must hold a current IFM Certified Practitioner (IFMCP) credential through the Institute for Functional Medicine, verifiable through the IFM Find a Practitioner directory. Second, the practitioner must hold an active Tennessee professional license under TCA Title 63 (Chapter 6 for physicians, Chapter 7 for advanced practice nurses), verifiable through the Tennessee Department of Health license lookup. Third, where applicable, the physician must hold an ABMS member-board certification verifiable through ABMS Certification Matters. Fourth, the practice must operate from a publicly listed address with a working direct phone line.
Frequently Asked Questions #
What is the IFM Certified Practitioner credential?
The IFM Certified Practitioner (IFMCP), offered through the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Functional Medicine Certification Program, requires foundational coursework, advanced practice modules, written case reports, and a certifying examination. Certified practitioners can be located through the IFM Find a Practitioner directory.
How does functional medicine differ from conventional primary care?
Functional medicine uses the IFM Matrix to map symptoms to underlying biology across seven nodes (assimilation, defense and repair, energy, biotransformation and elimination, transport, communication, structural integrity). Conventional primary care typically organizes care around ICD-coded diagnoses. Most functional medicine clinicians also hold a conventional ABMS or AANP credential.
What laboratory panels are typical in a functional medicine workup?
Common panels include the metabolic chemistry panel (CMP), complete blood count, advanced lipid profiling, cortisol rhythm (saliva or dried urine), sex hormone panels, thyroid panel with antibodies, micronutrient testing, fatty acid analysis, and inflammatory markers. Additional panels are added based on clinical presentation.
Can a functional medicine physician prescribe conventional medications?
A physician licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners under TCA Title 63, Chapter 6 retains full prescriptive authority. A functional medicine framework does not limit a clinician’s ability to prescribe FDA-approved medication when clinically indicated.
Editorial Note #
This guide was published on 2026-05-11 and reflects research current as of that date. Verify licenses, phone numbers, and current business status before engaging any firm.