In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman sits down with Veronica Porterfield, physician assistant at Richmond Integrative Functional Medicine, to explore her powerful and deeply personal journey into the world of functional medicine.

Veronica shares how her daughter’s health crisis—and the transformative power of dietary changes—led her to leave a career in international affairs and pursue human nutrition and clinical care. Her story highlights the importance of individualized treatment, lifestyle-based healing, and the value of looking beyond symptoms to uncover root causes.

Together, Veronica and Dr. Hartman discuss the limitations of conventional medicine, the need for continuous learning, and how a patient-centered, integrative approach is reshaping healthcare from the ground up.

Show Highlights:

✅ Veronica’s journey from international affairs to functional medicine

✅ How her daughter’s recovery ignited a career pivot toward healing

✅ The value of addressing root causes instead of just managing symptoms

✅ Why personalized care is essential for sustainable health

✅ The benefits and challenges of practicing functional medicine

✅ The ongoing need for education and curiosity in clinical care

✅ How integrative approaches complement traditional treatments

Some Questions We Explore:

✅ What inspired Veronica to change careers and become a PA in functional medicine?

✅ How did dietary changes impact her daughter’s health?

✅ What are the core differences between conventional and functional care?

✅ How does Richmond Integrative Functional Medicine support individualized treatment?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

✅ How functional medicine empowers patients and practitioners alike

✅ The role of nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset in long-term wellness

✅ What it takes to transition into the integrative health space

✅ The importance of treating the whole person, not just a diagnosis

Resources & Links:

🌐 Veronica Porterfield – Richmond Functional Medicine: Meet Veronica

🌐 Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com

🌐 LinkedIn – Aaron Hartman, MD: Connect Here

📺 YouTube Channel – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch Here

🎧 Closing Call to Action:

👉 Tune in for an inspiring story of healing, purpose, and the future of medicine. Subscribe, share with someone exploring alternative approaches to health, and leave your questions or comments for our upcoming listener Q&A!