ABOUT DNA WELLNESS AND LONGEVITY INSTITUTE
A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO WELLNESS
At the DNA Wellness and Longevity Institute, Dr. Katherine Ortiz combines functional and integrative medicine to offer a comprehensive and personalized approach to health. Her expertise in these modalities allows her to address the root causes of illness, focusing on long-term wellness and disease prevention.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a patient-centered, physiology-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of chronic diseases. Unlike conventional medicine, which often treats symptoms, functional medicine seeks to understand the unique factors contributing to an individual’s health, such as:
Family history, lifestyle, and environment.Biochemical individuality and the body's unique physiological functions.A focus on preventative and restorative treatments to optimize wellness and avoid unnecessary drugs or surgeries.
Key Principles of Functional Medicine:
Patient-Centered Care: Focuses on the individual, not just the disease.Systems Biology Approach: Views the body as interconnected systems rather than isolated organs.
Dynamic Gene-Environment Interactions: Considers how genetics and environment affect health.Personalized Treatments: Based on each patient’s unique biochemistry.Promotion of Health Span: Aims to enhance organ reserve and longevity.Health as Positive Vitality: Sees health as more than just the absence of disease.Function Over Pathology: Emphasizes restoring function over merely treating symptoms.
Functional medicine practitioners, like Dr. Ortiz, aim to prevent disease from developing and, if it does, work to reverse it by investigating and treating the underlying causes. This approach encourages patients to take an active role in their care, recognizing that behavioral and mental factors significantly influence chronic diseases.
What is Integrative Medicine?
Integrative medicine adopts a whole-person approach, combining evidence-based conventional treatments with complementary therapies to support overall wellness. It emphasizes the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient and utilizes all appropriate therapeutic approaches to achieve optimal health and healing.
Key Principles of Integrative Medicine:
Partnership in Healing: Patients and practitioners work collaboratively.Comprehensive Care: Considers physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental influences.
Combines Therapies: Uses both conventional and alternative treatments to support the body’s natural healing processes.
Minimally Invasive Treatments: Prioritizes natural and less invasive treatments whenever possible.Evidence-Based: Integrative medicine relies on scientific evidence while remaining open to new paradigms.Emphasis on Prevention: Values health promotion and disease prevention as much as treatment.Commitment to Self-Development: Practitioners focus on their own self-exploration and growth.
Integrative medicine doesn’t replace conventional healthcare but complements it, creating a more comprehensive treatment plan that integrates various disciplines, from nutritionists to acupuncturists.
Dr Katherine Ortiz
Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Biology from Purdue University
Bachelor of physician associate (B.S, PA-C) from Nova Southeastern University
Master of medical science (M.M.S) from Nova Southeastern University
Certified provider and trained in all trademarked Vampire PRP procedures
Fellowship training and diplomat from (A4M) American academy of anti-aging medicine/USF in functional, and regenerative medicine board certified as American board of anti-aging health practitioners ABAAHP
I-MD -Doctor of Integrative Medicine
Ph.D. in Integrative Medicine from Quantum University
