Ashley Shrader sitting at desk.
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Meet Dr. Ashley Shrader, DNP, IFMCP

Dr. Ashley Shrader, DNP, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and IFM Certified Practitioner. Prior to functional medicine, Ashley (she/her) worked in various conventional healthcare settings, which revealed the algorithmic and impersonal nature of the traditional healthcare model that leaves many patients overlooked and neglected. Dissatisfied with this approach, she pursued continuing education with the Institute for Functional Medicine, a rigorous and intensive certification program, which emphasizes treating the whole person and the root causes of their symptoms. Ashley has a passion for gut and hormone health, especially as they relate to brain and mental health. As a Registered Yoga Teacher, Ashley believes that mental, emotional, and spiritual health are the foundation for the path to healing. Ashley’s career in healthcare reflects her own personal health journey, which she shares below.

CERTIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

  • Doctorate of Nursing Practice Degree from Frontier Nursing University (DNP)

  • Master of Science in Nursing Degree from George Washington University (NP)

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from George Washington University (RN)

  • Master of Arts in International Business, University of Florida 

  • Bachelor of Science in Finance, University of Florida 

MY HEALTH JOURNEY

My journey in functional medicine began when caring for patients in a busy inner city emergency department in Washington, D.C. many years ago. There, I witnessed the continual failure of the conventional primary care system to effectively treat or, more importantly, prevent mostly reversible chronic disease.

Enter burnout.

I was also simultaneously battling my own personal health struggles on the heels of my previous career in consulting. I developed several unusual symptoms such as brain fog, insomnia, and tinnitus, and was diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism. I was given a pill and essentially told not to ask questions, that there was nothing else I could do, and that there was no attributable cause other than genetics.

It was because of functional medicine that I was able to rediscover my well-being by identifying and treating the underlying root causes of my immune dysfunction such as poor gut health, nutrient deficiencies, environmental exposures, and poor stress management.

Ashley Shrader, RYT practicing yoga.

A diagnosis that would change my life forever.

Then, in 2020, my mother was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), a fatal neurodegenerative disease. What’s more, I learned she and I both have a genetic predisposition to developing both ALS and frontotemporal dementia. After the traumatic experience of watching someone I love rapidly lose their most important physical functions to a brain disease, I developed a strong interest in cellular health, epigenetics, mitochondrial function, and brain health.

This deep study was the foundation for the creation of RISE, where I continue to humbly serve patients as they undertake their own functional medicine journeys. 

I spend my free time exploring nature with my husband, Tony, a Cape Cod native, and daughter, Seneca.

 FAQs

  • I currently accept patients located in Florida*, Virginia, Maryland, & Washington, D.C.

    I will be seeing patients in Massachusetts soon!

    If you do not live in these locations, reach out or check back soon as this list is likely to expand!

    *Controlled substances can’t be prescribed to Florida residents with this license. Learn more about the Florida Telehealth License here.

  • Functional medicine treats root causes of disease and restores healthy function through a personalized patient experience. Learn more at the Institute for Functional Medicine.

  • Appointments are conducted virtually via telehealth. There may be opportunities for in-person visits in the future.

  • For bloodwork, I can provide you with a lab order to be completed at a local lab. Many of the blood labs we order are covered by insurance.

    Other functional tests such as stool tests, saliva and breath tests can be sent directly to your home and shipped from your home to the lab. We have partnered with Rupa Health to streamline the functional medicine testing process.

  • Insurance may cover some or all of the cost of your visits if you have out-of-network benefits.

    To offer the very best in care without the shortcuts often required by insurance companies, our practice is out-of-network, direct pay only. We recommend patients understand their insurance benefits and deductibles. We are happy to generate “superbills” required by insurance companies for out-of-network expenses.

    While we do not see Medicare patients at this time, we will be accepting Medicare patients in the future. Check back soon for updates!

  • Nurse practitioners are ideal functional medicine practitioners due to their dual training in conventional and holistic diagnostic and treatment modalities. Nurse practitioners are trained how to implement a therapeutic encounter through deep understanding of the mental, emotional and spiritual health of the patient.

  • Yes, we can prescribe medications and hormone replacement therapy, if indicated.

  • I am an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and board certified Nurse Practitioner by the AANP. I received my doctorate from Frontier Nursing University and my Family Nurse Practitioner degree from George Washington University. I have received extensive training in biological sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, blood chemistry and pharmacology, as well as conventional medical diagnosis and treatment. In addition, I have completed comprehensive training in clinical nutrition and lifestyle counseling. I am also a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance.