About
Why Root?
We're a team of doctors and dietitians who are dedicated to treating hormones and gut health at the Root cause. We work with people one on one in the most comprehensive functional medicine memberships ever. Our signature program available nationwide includes doctor and dietitian sessions, lab testing, digital meal plans, educational resources, and community support.

What we do
Period problems, PCOS, fatigue, autoimmune, thyroid, perimenopause hormone balance and gut health issues - we've been there. We've helped thousands of people and we're ready to share our proven process with everyone. Wondering where to start?
Our Areas of Focus
Autoimmune
Blood Sugar
General Health
Gut Health
Hormone Balance
PCOS
Skin Health
Thyroid
Weight Loss
What we offer
Your Personalized Wellness Plan
We stop the overwhelm from nutrition misinformation and give you what you need to balance your plate, your hormones, and your life through our:
- Free Online Assessment and Recommendations
- Supplements that we've tested both in a lab AND in our programs - yes, we actually measure real results in our members using these supplements!
- 1 on 1 functional medicine programs via telehealth expanding nationwide

Meet our doctors and dietitians


Erica Armstrong
MD, IFMCP, Founder/CEO of Root
Author: The PCOS Thyroid Connection. The first book in the U.S. on the connection and root causes of these two conditions.
Hobbies: running, Peloton, walking my dog, playing basketball at the park with my kids - anything active!
Hobbies: running, Peloton, walking my dog, playing basketball at the park with my kids - anything active!
Favorite thing about working at Root: We are constantly innovating and improving and I love hearing everyone’s ideas.
Dr. Armstrong is not currently accepting new members.
Dr. Armstrong is not currently accepting new members.


Emily Cordes
DO, IFMCP
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine & Pediatrics at Western Michigan University School of Medicine
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine
Hobbies: Cooking, Fitness, Downhill Skiing, Cycling, Hiking, Gardening, Spoiling my Labrador Retriever
Residency: Internal Medicine & Pediatrics at Western Michigan University School of Medicine
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine
Hobbies: Cooking, Fitness, Downhill Skiing, Cycling, Hiking, Gardening, Spoiling my Labrador Retriever
Favorite thing about working at Root: Practicing at Root allows me to truly get to know each person, put the puzzle of symptoms together and then create a solution as a team (Root member/Physician/Dietitian). This is how I always imagined I would practice medicine. Plus, I get to work with an awesome team and talk about food all day!
Dr. Cordes is not accepting new members.
Dr. Cordes is not accepting new members.


Cici Carter
MD, IFMCP
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Residency: Trident/Medical University of South Carolina Family Medicine
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends. Running and lifting weights. Reading in and outside of book club. Traveling. Helping with home projects.
Residency: Trident/Medical University of South Carolina Family Medicine
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends. Running and lifting weights. Reading in and outside of book club. Traveling. Helping with home projects.
Favorite thing about working at Root: I’m motivated by all the passion my colleagues and I share to help our members feel validated about their healthy journey. At Root, we strive to give our members the tools and resources to empower them to take control of their health. Our members are at the top of the priority list!
Accepting New Members In: Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky
Accepting New Members In: Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky


Marzena Slater
MD, IFMCP
Medical School: Wayne State University
Residency: Emory University Family Medicine
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by The Institute of Functional Medicine
Hobbies: Spending time in nature- walks, hiking, skiing, running. Traveling. Reading
Residency: Emory University Family Medicine
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by The Institute of Functional Medicine
Hobbies: Spending time in nature- walks, hiking, skiing, running. Traveling. Reading
Favorite thing about working at Root: There are so many things I love about working at Root, that I can't just pick one. At the top of my list- The people I work with, the collegial atmosphere, the common goal of delivering food as medicine to our community and beyond, and of course helping clients recover from years of chronic symptoms with the food as medicine approach.
Dr. Slater is not accepting new members.

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Katherine Stam
DO, IFMCP
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Family Medicine at Albany Medical Center
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine
Hobbies: Hiking, yoga, kayaking, paddleboarding, cooking, reading, live music, gardening, and travel
Residency: Family Medicine at Albany Medical Center
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine
Hobbies: Hiking, yoga, kayaking, paddleboarding, cooking, reading, live music, gardening, and travel
Favorite thing about working at Root: Each person is unique based on their genetics and their environment. Each person has their own story. Functional Medicine allows me to offer personalized care and unique wellness plans.
Accepting New Members In: Michigan, Florida, New York
Accepting New Members In: Michigan, Florida, New York


Bethanie Thompson
MD, IFMCP
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Residency: Family Medicine at Michigan State University, Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center
Functional Medicine Training: Certified by the Institute for Functional Medicine
Hobbies: traveling with and learning new things with my daughters (like skiing!), walking my sweet black Labrador retriever, cooking, being inspired while exploring nature, Peloton, prayer.
Favorite things about working at Root:
I love solving health puzzles using advanced testing, lifestyle treatments, and modern medicine. Using the root cause approach, at Root I have an opportunity to optimize wellness with an individualized whole-person approach. Besides working with members, I enjoy brainstorming with a bright-minded team of medical physicians and dietitians.
Accepting New Members In: Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas
Working with my Root doctor and dietitian has been the most rewarding health experience. Within a month I saw a dramatic reduction in my symptoms and over time they continue to improve.


Amy Masterson
MS, RD
Hobbies: Cooking, hiking, camping
Favorite food: Can't decide between tacos & potatoes
Favorite thing about working at Root: Always trying to do the right (actually helpful, sustainable) thing even if it's not the sexy thing
Employer who understands overall health and stress management
Working with other amazing women
Always a lot of exciting things going on


Danielle Fiskars-Byers
RDN
Hobbies: My hobbies are running, cooking and baking. I've recently discovered a love of home renovations projects and have been learning new skills along the way. In the summer, I spend as much time as I can on our boat enjoying the water and sunshine!
Favorite Food: I love a good salad with salmon and lots of fresh herbs!
Favorite thing about working at Root: I love looking at each member's unique health needs and goals & then helping them to create a roadmap to feeling their best physically, mentally and emotionally! We all work together at Root to support each other and our clients which creates a culture and environment that is full of warmth.


Lauren Hanson
MS, RD
Hobbies: Traveling, Peloton, house renovations and spending time with my 3 kids and husband.
Favorite food: Tacos-any and all types.
Favorite thing about working at Root: Root community is filled with members who are passionate about their health. I love having the opportunity to create meaningful and impactful nutrition recommendations while keeping in mind an individual's busy lifestyle. We need to fuel every.single.day and learning how to best do that for our bodies to optimize our health is amazing.
Favorite food: Tacos-any and all types.
Favorite thing about working at Root: Root community is filled with members who are passionate about their health. I love having the opportunity to create meaningful and impactful nutrition recommendations while keeping in mind an individual's busy lifestyle. We need to fuel every.single.day and learning how to best do that for our bodies to optimize our health is amazing.


Kelsey Stricklen
MS, RD
Hobbies: Cooking, Peloton, hiking, paddle boarding, bird watching
Favorite food: Potatoes in any form or tacos. Favorite meal ever - Root Farmacy salmon cakes!
Favorite thing about working at Root: Helping people sort through all of the confusing and conflicting nutrition information out there and figuring out what works best for THEIR body. I also love our team approach! Being able to collaborate with other providers on each case is so helpful.
My Root dietitian's advice has been very helpful in tweaking things for me to make this a long-term way of living, not a quick fix or "diet".

Discover Root
Want to learn more about our functional medicine membership program?
Schedule a free 15-minute call with one of our Member Advisors to see if a functional medicine approach is right for you. Hope for healing is only a click away.
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