COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 77
the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI) to further
research and public education in functional health [4][3].
Ironically, although Bland himself holds a PhD (not a medical
degree), the flagship IFM certification program he founded is
restricted to licensed medical professionals such as MDs, DOs, NDs,
DCs, and RDs [1][2]. This has prompted debate about
qualifications4what exactly makes one eligible to train clinicians if
they are not one themselves? While many deeply respect Bland's
scientific leadership, some have raised concerns about perceived
gatekeeping within the certification model [7][3].
These concerns have surfaced in professional circles and online
forums, where some practitioners voice discomfort with what they
see as an exclusionary standard that contradicts the field's values
of access and inclusivity [7][3]. Despite these criticisms, Bland's
contribution to creating a systematic approach to chronic disease
has been recognized through numerous awards, including the
Linus Pauling Award for significant contributions to the
development of nutritional medicine [5][2].
Key Milestones
1990s: Formation of IFM and foundational course development
● Leading Pioneer(s): Jeffrey Bland, PhD [1][2]
● Key Developments: Establishment of the first Applied
Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) course
(1997) [2][3]
● Publications: First textbooks and clinical models defining the
functional medicine approach [1][2]
2000s: Growth of research supporting gut microbiome, genomics,
and nutrient-based therapies
● Leading Pioneer(s): Dicken Weatherby, ND [8]; David
Perlmutter, MD [9]; Leo Galland, MD [10]
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