From Global Justice to Personal Healing
Meet Veronica Porterfield (MS, LN, MPAS, PA-C)
Dr. Aaron Hartman
April 23, 2025
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I’m thrilled to introduce the newest member of our Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine. Veronica Porterfield brings a remarkable blend of expertise, compassion, and lived experience that perfectly aligns with our mission to restore health and hope with science-backed solutions.
A Journey Guided by Purpose
Born in Bogotá and traveling regularly to Colombia throughout her childhood, Veronica was shaped by the stark inequalities in Latin America. “My concern for justice first led me to pursue a degree in international affairs,” Veronica shared with me during our interview. “I thought I would eventually work for an organization like the World Bank or the IMF…”
While life took her in unexpected directions, this fundamental desire to help people meet their essential needs has remained constant — only the definition of “essential needs” evolved from clean water and food to include optimal health & wellness. This resonates deeply with me, as my own journey into functional medicine was sparked by a personal mission to help my daughter.
When Personal Becomes Professional
A Mother’s Discovery
“I think the magic sauce in our world is not people who have the most training… the most academic credentials… the most board certifications. I know personally that’s not the magic sauce. It’s when someone close to you… someone you love… someone you’d do anything for… needs help.”
For Veronica, as for many of us at RIFM, the “magic sauce” surfaced with her infant daughter Zoe’s health challenges. When Zoe was six months old, she began developing eczema and experiencing chronic constipation. The conventional pediatrician’s recommendation? Hydrocortisone cream for the eczema and corn syrup for the constipation.
“I thought, you know what, if I give this baby corn syrup, she’s never gonna eat a vegetable in her life. This is just never gonna work.”
After a disappointing first visit with a Ph.D. nutritionist who gave only general advice (“give her plenty of water and vegetables”), Veronica sought a second opinion from a master’s level functional nutritionist. This practitioner discovered the actual root cause: a wheat sensitivity that conventional medicine had missed.
“After this nutritionist discovered that my daughter had a wheat sensitivity responsible for both her skin and GI concerns… my eyes were opened and I never turned back,” Veronica recalls. “This root cause approach made so much sense to me. I knew this was how I wanted to help people.”
This watershed moment transformed Veronica into a passionate functional medicine advocate. In 2004 she began a Master’s program in Human Nutrition, which she completed in 2006. As someone who went through a similar awakening with my own daughter, I instantly recognized in Veronica a kindred spirit committed to finding root causes rather than just managing symptoms.
Beyond Nutrition
The Evolution of a Healer
Her early work as a functional nutritionist showed her the transformative power of dietary changes, but also illuminated the limitations of the traditional healthcare approach.
“Telling someone what to do is not always helpful… Partnering with them in a collaborative spirit is a much better approach.”
Recognizing that sustainable change requires more than directives, Veronica embraced motivational interviewing techniques and a client-centered approach. For five years at Precision Nutrition she coached hundreds of international clients through a behavior-change program — helping them establish healthier relationships with food and their bodies.
Yet her passion for addressing root causes of illness continued to call her toward deeper training. “I knew I needed to learn conventional medicine to be able to provide truly integrative care,” she explains. At age 40 she made the bold decision to return to school.
This conviction led her to pursue a degree in Physician Assistant Studies, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA from Shenandoah University in 2019. Although she considered naturopathic medicine, she ultimately chose the PA path because, “I really wanted to be able to integrate the best of conventional medicine with the best of functional medicine for the sake of my patients.”
This commitment to integration rather than rejection of conventional approaches aligns perfectly with our philosophy at RIFM. We believe in drawing from the best of all medical traditions, combining them thoughtfully to serve each patient’s unique needs.
Following her PA training, Veronica worked in primary care with a physician board-certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics. This experience allowed her to care for patients “from birth to age 100,” but she found herself increasingly frustrated by the time constraints that made it difficult to address root causes.
Her subsequent work in integrative medicine and specialized functional medicine equipped Veronica with a comprehensive toolkit for addressing complex health issues — from Lyme disease and mast cell activation to hormone imbalances and gastrointestinal disorders.
Expertise in Complex Chronic Conditions
From Long COVID to Lyme Disease
Veronica’s path to treating complex chronic conditions began unexpectedly. “Among my very first patients at an integrative practice were some Long COVID patients,” she explained during our conversation. Working with these individuals led her to develop expertise in mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and other complex chronic conditions.
Her knowledge deepened further when she joined a specialized practice focused on tick-borne illnesses in Northern Virginia. This experience gave her specialized expertise in addressing biofilms — protective shields that bacteria create to evade both antibiotics and the immune system. “Microbes produce a force field around themselves,” Veronica explains. “It’s a way that bacteria can protect themselves.”
She recalls explaining this concept to her father, a retired radiologist: “In all of my years practicing medicine, I’ve never heard of a biofilm,” he told her. This exchange perfectly illustrates the gap that often exists between conventional and functional medicine approaches.
Veronica now brings this specialized knowledge to our team at RIFM, where she can help patients with conditions like:
- Tick-borne illnesses including Lyme disease
- Mast cell activation syndrome
- Chronic infections and biofilms
- Hormone imbalances
- Complex gastrointestinal disorders
Science-Backed Solutions with Compassionate Care
Now certified by the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) and a member of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), Veronica brings that rare combination of scientific rigor and deep compassion that defines our approach at RIFM.
Her practice embodies our commitment to “restoring health and hope with science-backed solutions.”
As someone who witnessed both the limitations of conventional medicine and the transformative power of functional approaches — first with her daughter and later with her son, who was diagnosed with a tick-borne illness — Veronica understands the journey from confusion to clarity that many of our patients experience.
“My goal is always to meet people where they are and walk with them on the road to health & well-being.”
Functional Primary Care … or Advanced Functional Medicine?
One of the qualities that makes Veronica such a perfect fit for our practice is her experience bridging both functional primary care and advanced treatment for complex chronic conditions. She offers a unique perspective on how these approaches complement each other.
“Patients understand that we want to know them as people … not just their diagnoses and what medications they’re taking, but what their life looks like day to day. How much are they sleeping? What are they eating? Are they under a lot of stress? Are they moving? Are they practicing any sort of stress?management or resilience practice?”
She believes this holistic approach is essential even for patients who don’t have multiple diagnoses or complex conditions. This aligns perfectly with our practice model at RIFM, where we offer both Functional Primary Care and Advanced Functional Medicine pathways.
Consider a recent patient experience she shared with me. A man came in with high blood pressure (160/95) and was already on medication. When she reviewed his intake forms, she discovered he was drinking two Monster energy drinks and three Coke Zeros daily. Rather than immediately adjusting his medication, she partnered with him on addressing this root cause first.
“I think we have some options here and some areas of opportunity,” she told him. His response? “I was hoping you were gonna say that we could start with my lifestyle. I was hoping you were gonna say that we could cut the caffeine.”
Your Health Advocate
“I believe in every body’s ability to heal… and I try to bring curiosity & compassion to every patient to support their path to wellness.”
During our conversations, I’ve been impressed by Veronica’s approach to patient care, which is grounded in three key principles that reflect our values at RIFM:
- A commitment to continuing education — “Does the provider have a continued commitment to education? Or is that person continually learning and growing?”
- Partnership with patients — She emphasizes the importance of finding a provider “who has a commitment to partnering with you and helping you take the next steps that you need.”
- Looking beyond ‘green allopathy’ — Veronica cautions against practitioners who simply substitute natural remedies for pharmaceuticals without addressing root causes.
“I was looking for a functional and integrative medicine home where I felt like I could really plant my roots and grow.”
After extensive experience in various practices, Veronica chose to join our team at Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine because of our balanced approach to care and commitment to addressing both everyday health needs and complex chronic conditions.
“I wanted to go to a practice that is capable both of seeing patients with complex chronic illness, but also in a more primary care capacity, able to see people who maybe aren’t as sick, but do still value and see the benefit of root cause medicine.”
Whether you’re seeking Functional Primary Care (FPC) or Advanced Functional Medicine (AFM) approaches, I’m confident that Veronica Porterfield will bring the perfect blend of scientific expertise and genuine care to help you create a clear roadmap to the vibrant life you were made for.
Are You Ready to Take Control of Your Health Journey?
Ask yourself: Do you resonate with Veronica’s approach to healing?
If Veronica’s story and philosophy speak to you… it might be because you’ve experienced similar frustrations with the conventional healthcare system — quick appointments, symptom focused treatments, and a feeling that you’re not being truly heard.
Consider this: How much longer are you willing to manage symptoms without addressing their root causes? What would it mean for your quality of life to finally have a clear roadmap to health?
At Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine, we believe you were made for health. Our patient-centered membership model gives you:
- Time & Attention — Extended appointments (60–120 minute initial consultations and 30–45 minute follow-ups) that allow for deep exploration of your health concerns
- Root-Cause Investigation — Comprehensive testing and personalized treatment plans that address the underlying factors affecting your health
- Ongoing Support — A partnership approach where you’re an active participant in your healing journey
- Integrative Expertise — Access to practitioners like Veronica who blend the best of conventional and functional medicine approaches
Two Membership Pathways to Match Your Needs
Functional Primary Care Membership
Perfect for those seeking a more holistic approach to everyday health needs, with a focus on prevention and wellness.
Advanced Functional Medicine Membership
Designed for complex cases requiring deeper investigation, specialized testing, and more intensive therapeutic support.
The First Step Is Simple
Your journey toward optimal health begins with a single step — applying for membership. While our services extend beyond what insurance typically covers, our membership model provides exceptional value through personalized care that focuses on long-term healing rather than temporary symptom management.
“This is not your usual doctor’s office! It was amazing to walk into a peaceful place with smiling helpful staff and a doctor who listened and taught during the 1 ½ ?hour intake appointment. I left my appointment feeling like I had finally found a truly caring practice and with a more positive outlook on my future health span. I actually look forward to future appointments!” — Laurin W.
“I have never been treated so well by an entire doctor’s office — front desk, phlebotomist, and NP. They are absolutely wonderful every single time. And they work to get to the root cause of issues, not just treat symptoms.” — Laura H.
Join Our Healing Community Today
Ready to work with Veronica and our team of functional medicine experts?
Veronica Porterfield, MS, LN, MPAS, PA-C will be joining Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in June 2025, offering services in both Functional Primary Care & Advanced Functional Medicine.