Emporians will soon have access to a new type of healthcare that focuses on holistic solutions.
Doris Crowell Smith recently opened a functional medicine clinic, Affordable Integrative Functional Medicine LLC, at 417 Commercial St., Suite 4. Inspired by her own child’s struggles with autoimmune disease, Crowell Smith is on a mission to bring a more holistic approach to healthcare to the community.
Born and raised in Emporia, Crowell Smith earned a degree in psychology from the University of Kansas, but her passion changed after seeing the limitations of conventional medicine.
“I was already exploring alternatives to traditional treatments,” she explained, “but my direction was solidified when my daughter was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at age 4.”
At the time, her daughter’s doctors recommended aggressive treatment, including low-dose chemotherapy to suppress her immune system.
“I couldn’t accept that,” Crowell-Smith says, “There had to be another way, so I dove deeper into natural medicine and eventually discovered functional medicine.”
She explains that functional medicine is a holistic approach that focuses on finding and addressing the underlying causes of health issues.
“Conventional medicine often focuses on symptoms,” she says. “Functional medicine digs deeper. It asks why the body is malfunctioning, whether that’s a thyroid issue or an autoimmune disease, and then tries to fix that.”
Crowell-Smith’s treatment approach begins with comprehensive testing that goes beyond traditional methods: for example, rather than simply measuring thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), she examines the entire thyroid process, looking at how the liver and gut affect hormone conversion.
“There’s a big difference between hiding symptoms and really understanding what’s going on,” she said.
This passion for finding root causes extends beyond physical ailments: Crowell-Smith also believes functional medicine is key to addressing mental health issues.
“Disorders like anxiety, depression, and even ADHD are often treated with medications that don’t necessarily address the underlying imbalance,” she says. “With functional medicine, we can actually test neurotransmitter levels and balance them naturally.”
Her own journey to becoming a physician included extensive training in multiple medical programs, including certification with the Association of Integrative Health Professionals and the American Academy of Functional Medicine, and she hopes to collaborate with local physicians to find solutions for patients with health concerns.
“I live this every day,” she said. “I have the knowledge and experience to help people, and I want to be a resource for the community.”
Although Crowell-Smith had the opportunity to obtain a state license, he chose not to do so in order to help his clients around the world.
“Not being tied to a particular state allows us to send labs and engage with patients wherever they are,” she said. “The key is really to get as many people accessing care as possible.”
For patients who seek her care, the initial consultation focuses on taking a comprehensive health history and determining what tests are needed. Crowell-Smith emphasizes the importance of education in her practice.
“I spend a lot of time with each patient, explaining why they’re feeling the way they are and what can be done about it,” she said. “It’s a process, but it’s one that’s geared toward long-term health and healing.”
Crowell Smith hopes to bring a new perspective on health to Emporia, offering an alternative for people looking for answers beyond traditional medicine.
“I want to help people feel their best and understand the ‘why’ behind their health issues,” she said. “Once we understand what’s really going on, we can really begin to heal.”
To learn more about Crowell-Smith’s practice and the services offered, please call 620-794-7957 or email [email protected].
