Curriculum – Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship

Quarter 1: (113 Hours)

Nutrition & Culinary Medicine

• Macro & Micronutrients
• Therapeutic, Preventive, & Elimination Diets
• Nutrigenomic Testing and Advanced Nutritional Assessments

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

• Complexities of Lifestyle Changes
• Managing Resistance and Ambivalence
• MI in Nutrition Counseling

Mind-Body Medicine

• Screening for Chronic Stress in Practice
• Integrative and Functional Approaches for Insomnia
• Science of Meditation, Heart Rate Variability, Guided Imagery

Quarter 2: (112 Hours) 

Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

• Origins and Historical Development of TCM
• Theory of Acupuncture, Concepts of Qi, Yin/Yang, Five Elements
• Indications for Referral

Introduction to Ayurveda

• Origins and Historical Development
• Concepts of Doshas, Dietary Principles, and Purification Practices
• Indications for Referral

Introduction to Dietary Supplements

• Regulatory and Quality Issues of Dietary Supplements
• Real World Clinician Challenges and Resources
• Evidence Safety and Benefit Commonly Used Dietary Supplements

Integrative Gastroenterology

• The Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to GERD, IBS, IBD, Hepatitis, NAFLD
• Therapeutic Diets and Dietary Supplements

Behavioral Medicine and Neuroscience

• The Chemistry of Behavior
• Neuroplasticity and Functional Neuroimaging
• Psychoneuroimmunology, Placebo and Nocebo

Quarter 3: (114 Hours) 

Integrative Psychiatry

• Nutritional Psychiatry
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Substance Use Disorder
• Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

Introduction to Spirituality in Medicine

• Spiritual Support, Spiritual Distress, and Health Outcomes
• Conversations Across Cultures, Religions, Ethnicities
• Conducting a Spiritual Assessment

Introduction to Shamanism & Indigenous Medicine

• Cross-cultural Spiritual and Healing Practices
• The Role of Drumming, Chant, Ritual, Energy Work, Soul Retrieval

Introduction to Homeopathy

• Origins and Historical Development of Homeopathy
• Concepts of Law of Similars, Potentization, and Serial Dilution

Integrative Pain Management

• Measurement of Pain and Pain Intensity in Practice
• Integrating Self-Regulatory Practices in Clinical Care
• Anti-Inflammatory Diet, Dietary Supplements, Low Dose Naltrexone
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Headache, Neuropathy, Myofascial Pain, Osteoarthritis, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain

Introduction to Osteopathy and Chiropractic

• Origins and Historical Philosophy of Osteopathy and Chiropractic
• Inter-relationship of Structure and Function
• Indications for Referral for Osteopathy and Chiropractic

Movement as Medicine

• Current Recommendations for Aerobic, Strength, and Flexibility Training
• The Role of Diet, Micronutrients, and Electrolytes and Physical Activity
• Conducting a FITT assessment and prescription in Clinical Practice

Quarter 4: (112) 

Integrative Endocrinology

• Stress Induced HPA Dysfunction: Diagnostics and Treatment
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Chronic Fatigue, Hypothyroidism, Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Integrative Cardiology

• Nutritional and Supplement Science in Cardiology
• Advanced Diagnostic Testing
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, Coronary Artery Disease, Arrhythmias, Heart Failure

Integrative Women’s Health

• Nutritional and Supplement Science Across the Lifespan
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to PMS, Dysmenorrhea, Uterine Fibroids, Endometriosis, Vaginal Disorders, Fertility, Pregnancy, Lactation, Chronic Pelvic Pain, Menopause, Osteoporosis
• Advanced Diagnostics and Hormonal Prescriptions

Quarter 5: (102 Hours)

Simulated Patient and Integrative Treatment Plan

• Conduct comprehensive integrative/functional medicine assessment of complex patient
• Submit comprehensive, evidence-informed, personalized treatment plan
• Review patient interview and treatment plan with mentor

Environmental Medicine

• Conducting an Environmental History in Children and Adults
• Advanced Diagnostics, Assessment and Treatment

Integrative Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology

• Microbiome, Nutrition, Micronutrients, Lifestyle Impact on Immune Health
• Diagnosing and Managing the Allergic Patient
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Autoimmune Conditions and Lyme Disease

Integrative Respiratory Health

• Microbiome, Nutrition, Micronutrients, Lifestyle Impact on Respiratory Health
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Acute Respiratory Infection, Acute and Chronic Rhinosinusitis, Asthma

Introduction to Naturopathy

• Origins and Historical Development of Naturopathy
• Licensing, Referral, and Collaboration

Quarter 6: 111 Hours 

Integrative Renal & Urinary Health

• Nutrition, Micronutrients, Lifestyle Impact on Respiratory Health
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Acute and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections, Bladder Pain Syndrome, Urolithiasis, Chronic Kidney Disease

Integrative Men’s Health

• Nutrition, Micronutrients, Lifestyle Impact on Men’s Health
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Erectile Dysfunction, Testosterone Deficiency, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Prostate Pain Syndrome
• Advanced Diagnostics and Hormonal Prescriptions

Integrative Dermatology

• Microbiome, Nutrition, Micronutrients, Lifestyle Impact on Skin Health
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Atopic Dermatitis, Urticaria, Psoriasis, Acne, Hair Loss, Aging Skin
• Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Integrative Pediatrics

• Microbiome, Nutrition, Micronutrients, Lifestyle Impact in Pediatrics
• The Integrative Pediatric Assessment and Advanced Diagnostics
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Recurring Abdominal Pain, Otitis Media, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder

Quarter 7: (112 Hours)

Integrative Geriatrics

• Impact of Aging on Physical and Mental Health, Pharmacological Parameters
• Nutritional, Supplement, Fitness, Senolytic, and Stem Cell Science in Aging
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Cataracts, Macular Degeneration, Cognitive Decline, Alzheimer’s Disease

Integrative Oncology

• Reducing Cancer Risk, Minimizing Side Effects of Cancer Treatment, and Improving Care for Cancer Survivors
• Integrative/Functional Approaches to Breast, Prostate, Colorectal Cancer

Palliative & End-of-Life Care

• Role of Spirituality in Serious Disease and End-of-Life Care
• Integrative/Functional Management of Symptoms: Pain, Constipation, Fatigue, Nausea/Vomiting, Dyspnea, Anxiety, Depression, Delirium

Quarter 8: (95 Hours)

• Business & Practice of Integrative Medicine 
• Understanding the Medical, Legal & Ethical Factors 

The Business & Practice of Integrative Medicine

• Practice Types: Community Primary/Specialty Care, Underserved, Hospital Based, Concierge
• Legal and Ethical Considerations

Capstone Presentation

• Present Scholarly Project

Residential Retreats: 100 Hours 

Each of the three residential retreats will consist of about 35 hours of experiential learning over several days, taking place at the SSIHI campus in Irvine, California. Fellows will deepen the knowledge they’ve learned and put the lessons into practice, such as: 

• Make healthy, nutrient-dense meals in the demonstration 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