The Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship

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The Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship

A two-year training program from UCI's Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute that equips physicians to provide the future of medicine - today.

The Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship equips physicians with the cutting-edge knowledge for providing the future of medicine – today. This two-year hybrid training program combines the flexibility of online learning with the immersive and practical, as well as in-person retreats, providing physicians with a comprehensive curriculum that integrates the latest evidence-informed medicine within a framework of integrative and functional approaches. From nutrigenomics, lifestyle, and environmental medicine to advanced diagnostic testing and personalized case-based treatment plans, physicians will gain the knowledge and confidence required to deliver the comprehensive, precision medicine that patients are demanding and deserve. This transformative Fellowship is based on proven, real-world experience at the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, the largest ambulatory and inpatient integrative health program in the United States. Eligible graduates will be able to sit for the board certification exam offered by the American Board of Integrative Medicine.

10/10/2025

October 10 is World Mental Health Day. As clinicians, we must remember that mental health is not separate from physicial health.

In today’s healthcare landscape, primary care practitioners are often the first — and sometimes only — point of contact for patients struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Yet many clinicians feel underprepared to address these concerns within a traditional medical framework.

That’s why our Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship is committed to changing the way we train clinicians to provide mental health care in a primary care setting. We equip healthcare professionals with evidence-informed tools that honor the mind-body connection, including:
🌱 Mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques
🧘🏽 Lifestyle and nutrition interventions that support emotional resilience
🤝 Collaborative, whole-person care models

By integrating mental health into primary care, we empower clinicians to offer compassionate, comprehensive support — addressing the emotional and psychological dimensions of health that so often go unaddressed. Doing so can improve health outcomes, enhance access to mental health care, and elevate the overall quality of our healthcare system.

Today, and every day, we advocate for a healthcare system that recognizes mental health as fundamental. And we’re proud to be educating clinicians who are ready to lead that change.

Learn more and apply here: https://ssihi.uci.edu/education/health-sciences-education/integrative-functional-medicine-fellowship/

10/02/2025

What do you get when you participate in the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship?

✅Career-long access to mentorship from esteemed Fellowship faculty
✅Preparation for the American Board of Integrative Medicine board exam
✅Inclusion in professional journal clubs and live grand rounds
✅Participation in a prestigious community of fellows
✅Opportunities for Continuing Medical Education and Maintenance of Certification Hours

Come join us! Combining the latest evidenced-informed approaches of both integrative and functional medicine, we equip you to provide the future of medicine... today.

Apply here: https://sites.uci.edu/ssihi/education/health-sciences-education/integrative-functional-medicine-fellowship/

09/25/2025

Our fellows are gathering this week at the University of California, Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute for their residential retreat! We’re so proud to welcome them here and connect in person around the transformative principles of integrative health.

As part of the two-year Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship, fellows attend three immersive residential retreats, each offering more than 35 hours of experiential learning. Over the course of several days, they deepen their knowledge and put lessons into practice through activities such as:

✅Make healthy, nutrient-dense meals in the education kitchen
✅Practice motivational interview techniques
✅Engaging in interactive mind-body therapies
✅Conduct in-person comprehensive patient assessments
✅Experience the role of creative arts in healing and medicine
✅Do a deep dive into dietary supplements and herbal products
✅Learn hands-on manual medicine techniques to use in clinic
✅Participate in ritual, forest bathing, and contemplative meditation
✅Engage in round table discussions of complex cases with diverse range of experts
✅Share in group meals and build their professional network
✅Enjoy evening keynote lectures at off-site dinners

These retreats are more than just training—they’re a chance for fellows to grow, connect, and bring integrative medicine to life. Here’s to a week of learning, collaboration, and inspiration!

Want to learn more about the IFMF? Visit us here: https://ssihi.uci.edu/ifmf

09/16/2025

We're so happy to welcome our newest cohort of fellows! These clinicians are learning how to meet the changing needs of patients and deliver the comprehensive, personalized, whole-person care they want.

The IFMF's breakthrough curriculum combines a flexible online learning structure with immersive, practical, in-person retreats.

From nutrigenomics, lifestyle, and environmental medicine to advanced diagnostic testing and personalized case-based treatment plans, participants build comprehensive precision medicine knowledge.

Based on proven, real-world experience at the Samueli Institute, graduates will gain the expertise to deliver integrative and functional care to patients as they learn it. Upon completion, eligible candidates can sit for the board certification exam offered by the American Board of Integrative Medicine.

Learn more about the IFMF here: https://ssihi.uci.edu/ifmf

09/09/2025

September is Healthy Aging Month — a time to recognize the importance of healthcare approaches that truly support optimal health through every stage of life.

Taking an integrative and functional medicine approach to geriatric care means addressing the root causes of health concerns with personalized care plans to preserve independence and foster resilience. By optimizing medication use, supporting cognitive and physical function, and empowering older adults to take an active role in their health, integrative care helps people not just live longer, but live better.

As our patients age, our goal as clinicians should be to provide care that helps them thrive with greater health, vitality, and quality of life. Through the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship, we're proud to be educating practitioners in integrative geriatric care. Learn more about our comprehensive fellowship here: https://ssihi.uci.edu/ifmf

08/21/2025

It's critical that clinicians stay informed about the burden that patients carry when it comes to pain management -- and the latest evidence-informed approaches they can take to help patients find relief.

The National Institutes of Health found that adults in the U.S. are developing chronic pain at higher rates than new diagnoses of other conditions like diabetes, depression and high blood pressure. The rate of chronic pain among adults is a staggering 21%. And over 61% of those who have it say they are still suffering a year later.

Just 10% of people are recovering from chronic pain.

Conventional treatments clearly aren’t cutting it. Non-pharmacologic methods of pain management are more important than ever before. Our Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship is filling this educational gap.

Robert Bonakdar, MD, is the course director for Integrative Approaches to Pain Management, which helps clinicians understand how to find the root cause of pain and utilize integrative therapies to help patients find relief, cope with persistent pain that is not relieved with treatment and improve their overall quality of life. Our fellows learn to explore a a range of potential contributing factors, such as dietary triggers, gut health, autoimmune-related issues, stressors on mental or physical wellbeing, occupation, posture, lifestyle, structural issues and trauma history related to the somatic system or body framework.

This approach results in a complete picture for determining the most effective, scientifically supported treatment to address pain and help patients achieve their personal health goals. Our fellows go further and learn to partner in a multi-disciplinary care team and ensure that patients receive the most in-depth, comprehensive care.

08/12/2025

Application Deadline Extended!

Due to high demand, we have extended the application deadline for our September cohort. Space is limited, so don't miss your chance to apply to the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship (IFMF).

👉 Apply here by August 22, 2025: https://ssihi.uci.edu/ifmf

The breakthrough curriculum of the IFMF combines a flexible online learning structure with immersive, practical, in-person retreats.

From nutrigenomics, lifestyle, and environmental medicine to advanced diagnostic testing and personalized case-based treatment plans, participants build comprehensive precision medicine knowledge.

Based on proven, real-world experience at the UC Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, in partnership with UCI Health. Graduates will gain the expertise to deliver integrative and functional care to patients as they learn it. Upon completion, eligible candidates can sit for the board certification exam offered by the American Board of Integrative Medicine.

08/04/2025

Our Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship at the UC Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute is a breakthrough curriculum that combines both integrative and functional practices in a flexible online learning structure with immersive, practical, in-person retreats.

Over two years, fellows gain a deep understanding of nutrigenomics, lifestyle-based approaches, culinary medicine, environmental medicine, mind-body medicine, advanced diagnostic testing, personalized case-based treatment plans, and more.

They learn practical tools for applying integrative care models in diverse settings and receive ongoing guidance and mentorship from nationally recognized faculty and subject matter experts, including founding director Tieraona Low Dog, MD.

Are you prepared to provide the future of medicine? Learn more and apply here: https://ssihi.uci.edu/ifmf

07/28/2025

Did you know our fellowship at the UC Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute is recognized by the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health, the official recognizing body for integrative medicine fellowships in the U.S.?

Completion of an approved fellowship is one of the criteria for physicians to be eligible to take the board certification exam with the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM). The ACIMH's program provides recognition to specific fellowships that have achieved a level of training for physicians to demonstrate competency and mastery of the specialty of integrative medicine.

Apply here (deadline is August 15 for our September cohort): https://sites.uci.edu/ssihi/education/health-sciences-education/integrative-functional-medicine-fellowship/

07/21/2025

The Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship is based on proven, real-world experience at the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute at the University of California, Irvine. Aside from being the largest ambulatory and inpatient integrative health program in the U.S., we're a beautiful location.

Our state-of-the-art building offers spaces for innovative student instruction; multidisciplinary, collaborative research; engaging community education; and team-based, whole-person clinical care. The institute includes:
✅Welcoming exam and treatment rooms
✅Integrative pharmacy and compounding room
✅Innovative lab
✅Infusion suite
✅Cardiac rehab space
✅Nutritional education kitchen
✅Activity rooms for tai chi, group visits & more
✅Showcase conference room

What takes this space to the next level is the thoughtful design that promotes wellness. Soothing color schemes and tones, natural textures, and calming art installations. Plus, two living plant walls bring the beauty (and oxygen) of nature indoors. 🌿🪴

It's the perfect place to host the IFMF. Apply at the link bio! Classes start this fall.

07/07/2025

The practice of medicine is rapidly changing and patients are expecting more from their clinicians than ever before. Do you want to deliver the comprehensive, personalized, whole-person care that patients are demanding?

Join us for a virtual informational session about the Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship. Meet with Founding Director Tieraona Low Dog, MD; and Program Coordinator Joanne Kim, MA. Participate in a Q&A and discuss why a functional, integrative approach to care can change the lives of both patients and practitioners.

➡️August 6, 2025
12-1 p.m. PT
via Zoom

Register here: https://ssihi.uci.edu/ifmf

06/25/2025

The mind and body are deeply connected. And when clinicians understand that connection, patient care transforms.

Mind-body medicine helps address the root causes of illness, reduce stress, and support long-term healing. Evidence-informed tools such as meditation, guided imagery, and heart-rate variability are essential for whole-person care.

That’s why our Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship at the UC Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute includes dedicated training in mind-body medicine. Through our comprehensive training, clinicians can confidently integrate it into their practice and better support their patients’ well-being.

Learn more and apply here: https://ssihi.uci.edu/ifmf

Address

856 Health Sciences Road
Irvine, CA
92617

Website

https://ssihi.uci.edu/education/health-sciences-education/integrative-functional-medicine-fellowship/

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