Meet Dr. Robinson

GETTING STARTED

My passion for helping women with their health goes back to my childhood. At the age of 9, I developed a mysterious illness. I was debilitated by my symptoms that included extreme muscle weakness, dry skin that would crack and bleed and fatigue. Sports were off the table, I had to quit dance which I loved so much and sometimes I even struggled just to go to school each day. My mom hated to see me suffer and she was willing to see any doctor who thought they could help me. After 3 years of seeing multiple conventional medicine specialists, I finally got a diagnosis....

A rare autoimmune disease called Juvenile Dermatomyositis. Try saying that 5 times in a row! And the treatment- high dose corticosteroids. Though the treatment wasn't without side effects (my face was so puffy I was almost unrecognizable), I recovered and my symptoms went into remission. From then on, I felt a call to help relieve the suffering of others just as my doctors had done for me.

AN UNEXPECTED TURN

My desire to help others stay healthy took me to the medical field. I completed my education and licensing as a pharmacist in 2011. From 2011-2017, I worked in various areas of pharmacy as an officer in the U.S. Army. I attribute my time in the military as a time for really growing in strength, knowledge and compassion for others. It was an experience unlike any other! The kind that makes you grow up and be so grateful for what you have, which I think are essential qualities for anyone in service to others.

In 2017, I had baby #2 and realized I needed a change. I completed my time in the service and returned home to work for CVS Pharmacy. For a few years, I was the face of the pharmacy. I truly did enjoy working with people in that small community setting. But what was startling to me was that...no one ever got better. Many of these people on multiple medications while barely maintaining an adequate quality of life. I got to thinking, "Is this the best we can do?"

A lot changed for all of us in 2020. In this same year, I began learning about Functional Medicine, specifically the amazing role of the gut in our overall health. I often wondered, "Why didn't we learn any of this in pharmacy school?" I went through some health issues of my own during this time and was determined to help my body heal using a more holistic approach. The deeper I went, the more I discovered that my definition of health was, in fact, FAR FROM OPTIMAL. My 'normal' was ridden with digestive issues, fatigue, skin problems, heavy, painful periods and infertility. Up to that point, I failed to recognize how much my poor health was affecting every aspect of my life- my ability to work, love, serve and enjoy this beautiful life God gave me!

With all I was learning on my own...well these were simply things I couldn't 'unsee'.  I was convicted to leave my job as a retail pharmacist. A big step, I know! I committed to additional training and branched out on my own as a certified Functional Medicine practitioner.

LIVING WITH PURPOSE

Functional Medicine changed everything for me. I recognized how sick I STILL was and took responsibility for the things I could change. I started doing the work, seeing the results and helping others do the same. My life was forever changed. I will often say, "I know in my soul, my purpose is to walk with other women on their health journey. I'm not afraid to get in the trenches with them...to listen...to make a plan...WITH THEM."

CREDENTIALS

• St. Louis College of Pharmacy- graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2011, licensed since 2011
• Functional Medicine University- completed Functional Medicine certification in 2020
• Mercier Therapy- completed certification course in 2021

EXPERIENCE

• 6 years experience working in the Army as a pharmacist (clinical, outpatient, and inpatient settings)
• 3 years experience as a staff pharmacist at CVS Pharmacy
• 4+ years working one-on-one with Functional Medicine clients