2009 AANP Oral Presentation Submission

Kara N. Fitzgerald, ND (contact person & presenter)

AANP member
1142 Racebrook Road
Woodbridge, CT 06525
Daytime phone: 678-638-2948
Fax: 678-638-2949
kfitzgerald@metametrix.com

Oral Presentation-90 minutes

Title: From the Telescope to the Microscope: Systems Medicine, IFM Matrix™ and Functional
Laboratory Testing

Description: There is a paradigm shift occurring in science and medicine towards systems, rather than
reductionist, thinking. Systems biology concepts were greatly stimulated by questions generated upon
completion of the human genome project. Systems medicine- of which Naturopathy is an example- is a
response to the failure of conventional medicine to adequately treat chronic disease. An approach to
systems medicine may be described as: comprehensive clinical data gathering and functional laboratory
assessments for the purpose of providing individualized care. Systems medicine will become the standard
of care for both treatment and prevention of complex, chronic disease.

Educational objectives: To introduce practitioners to systems medicine concepts. A detailed case study
using functional laboratory testing and the Institute for Functional Medicine Matrix will be used to
demonstrate one model of systems medicine.

Outline:
Introduction to systems concepts
History
Definition
Future
Chronic disease statistics & current political climate
Naturopathy/CAM and systems medicine
Data collection in systems medicine
The telescope: comprehensive clinical history and physical
The microscope: functional laboratory assessments
Introduction to functional laboratory concepts-biochemical individuality
Introduction to the Institute for Functional Medicine Matrix
Systems medicine in action:
Case studies using functional medicine testing and the IFM Matrix

Treatments, including some pharmaceutical interventions, will be discussed.

Target audience: Clinicians, researchers, policy makers, students, general audience. Anyone interested in
systems concepts (and the interface of naturopathy and systems concepts), functional laboratory testing,
integrative/functional medicine.

Kara Fitzgerald, N.D.

Kara Fitzgerald received her doctorate of naturopathic medicine from National College of Naturopathic
Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She completed the first CNME-accredited post-doctorate and residency
training in nutritional biochemistry and functional laboratory medicine at Metametrix Clinical Laboratory
and Progressive Medical Center, a large, integrative medical practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Fitzgerald is
a contributing author in Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine and is writing a
book of case studies in integrative/ functional medicine with Mark Hyman, M.D. Dr. Fitzgerald has
presented in a variety of arenas including The Institute of Women’s Health, Autism One and the Institute
for Functional Medicine. She continues consult part-time for Metametrix, and maintains a clinical
practice at Advanced Diagnostic, a Yale University-affiliated clinic in New Haven, Connecticut.

Disclosure: Please note that while Dr. Fitzgerald consults for Metametrix Clinical Laboratory, the
functional tests presented in this lecture are not limited to those offered by Metametrix.