Emily Roedersheimer, DO, IFMCP, is the founder and owner of Balanced Living Functional Medicine.

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?
I was inspired to pursue a career in medicine by the providers who cared for me as a child diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 10. They were very caring and did their best to make me feel comfortable.
 
What are your areas of clinical/professional interest?
My areas of professional interest have shifted over the course of my career. I was in family practice for over a decade when I learned about Functional Medicine. Upon learning that functional medicine can help find the root cause for a chronic illness, I was intrigued. So, I began learning more about it and was able to use what I was learning on myself (I was my own guinea pig!) to help reverse the rheumatoid arthritis that I had had for most of my life. I was able to stop injecting myself weekly with two strong medications. It took a lot of work, lifestyle changes with my diet and stress management, and time, but I no longer need medications and am in remission. So now, I am on a mission to bring the power of functional medicine to as many clients as possible and spread hope to those who are struggling or looking for another way.
 
What would you like your colleagues to know about you and your work?
I'd love my colleagues to know that I am happy to be a resource for their toughest patients. Functional medicine is a different lens on medicine, and I have different tools available to help those tough cases. I can help in these areas: 
1. If a patient has continued symptoms despite all testing being normal
2. If there is no diagnosis to explain their symptoms
3. If they have a diagnosis but medications are not helping enough or the patient doesn't want to take long-term medications
4. If they are just into a more natural approach and would like some support in changing their lifestyle to improve their health
 
I do not take insurance, and so my patients are highly motivated individuals that I spend a lot of time with to help educate them on changing their lifestyle and getting to the root cause.
 
I know that functional medicine might seem confusing and hard to understand. I am open to talking with any physician that would like to learn more about what I do and how I could support them.
 
What is your favorite restaurant in Columbus?
Brassica
 
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your free time?
I love to spend my free time with my two boys doing anything, but we love to travel.
 
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I've ever received is to look for the root cause of my rheumatoid arthritis. It's changed my life and my career!