jennifer bouchard, APN MPH IFMCP.
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
In 2017, I was blessed to have the opportunity to work with the top functional medicine practitioners in the country at the Center for Functional Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. My 30-year-old daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In 2020 we lost her. Cancer patients at any stage of their disease process come to us to gain the knowledge and tools to impact their personal roots of cancer, which are not addressed in the standard of care Western oncology platforms.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I left the clinic with the goal of practicing functional medicine and implementing a functional oncology program with focus on the roots of chronic disease. Patients can learn to focus on goals to make a direct impact on their disease, and to heal. Not by just using narrowly focused drugs and other Western based standard of care oncology treatment. Research supports how roots of cancer/ chronic disease make a direct impact on the cancer hallmarks which drive cancer growth and proliferation.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
A stage 4 urothelial carcinoma patient was referred to me by naturopath last year. He felt exhausted, significant symptoms of GI dysbiosis, had life-long history of toxic exposures which likely triggered his disease. Methane positive SIBO has now resolved. He is in the process of removing high levels of mold and toxins from his body with binders and focuses on a high phytonutrient diet, movement, stress reduction, and eliminating further toxic exposures.
His tumor markers and scans are clean.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
Understanding how marketing plans work and the expense of implementation. My practice is a niche that is not found easily for patients with cancer. They don't know what Functional Oncology and the roots of cancers are. They don't search for treatment focused on "root cause". Standard of care oncology does not teach patients the importance of these roots. It has been challenging putting strategies together to draw patients into a functional oncology-based platform.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
The top three tips I would give.
- To be financially prepared and understand that it's going to take up to three years for practices to succeed.
- Utilize the skills of a reputable business attorney, and marketing team.
- Be prepared to demonstrate your worth through research and education. Especially when you create an evolving niche.