Meet Beth Claxton, MD, IFMCP | Board Certified OB/Gyn and Certified Functional Medicine Medical Doctor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Claxton, MD, IFMCP and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
To begin, starting my own business was the very last thing I thought I would ever do.

As a physician trained in Western Medicine, it became apparent to me early on that a lot was being overlooked in that model of taking care of people who were suffering and turning to me for guidance. After practicing in that paradigm for 25 years, I found Functional Medicine. At my very first training through The Institute for Functional Medicine, I began meeting practitioners who were opening their own practices using one rented room. This resonated with me. There honestly was not a lot of thought, and more of an energetic pull to make this happen. I took a local night class in business through the SBA and completed my first business plan. Within a year of beginning my studies in Functional Medicine I had quit my job at the Community Health Center and opened my practice in three rented rooms from a local Primary Care doctor. I worked with a local bank and took out a second mortgage on my home to balance everything. I had faith that the clientele would come. And they have.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart from other medical practices is that I get to know my patients really well. Our initial appointment is 90 minutes. That is AFTER I have read multiple responses to questionnaires, am beginning to understand their family’s health history as well as their struggles in life. Being able to meet someone where they are, I think, marks the beginning of the healing journey. In addition to a detailed history, we review a detailed lab assessment that helps shed light on imbalances in the body that may not yet be manifesting as overt disease. In many cases diagnoses such as Diabetes, Autoimmunity, and Heart Disease show up as imbalances 5-10 years before they ever would be diagnosed in the current paradigm. With this much leeway we can begin to heal the imbalances and change their health trajectory. This is an unusual approach that I’d say most people have not bought into. Word of mouth has been one of my biggest ways people have found me. Also a Google search for Functional Medicine sends people directly to me.
It has not been easy. I’m continuously studying and learning new advances in Functional Medicine. My thirst for knowledge is my driver. There are days I completely unplug. When I can do that, it lets my curiosity and drive refresh. I am often the provider, receptionist, nurse, medical assistant, custodian, and PR person all in the same day. That’s a lot of hats.
What I’ve learned is that attitude is everything. When my passion and commitment wane, I see it in a lack of enrollment of new patients/clients. When I’m engaging and recording FB live events I feel connected and people want to enroll with me.
Over the past four years of creating Flagstaff Functional Medicine I have allowed my passion to guide my focus. I see that I serve people better doing a few things really well rather than trying to be everything for everyone. Currently my focus is on the menopausal transition, and it seems to be settling there. How can women best support themselves and be supported by those they love during this time? It it is fertile time as well with hormone replacement making a comeback. During this time I have also journeyed to my own menopause. Passion, Connection and Commitment to myself and others are the beacons that have guided me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Immersing myself in nature, eating really good food, dancing with art, taking impeccable care of my body and exercising to exhaustion. These are the hallmarks of a really good time. Natural wonders such as Sedona and The Grand Canyon (North Rim, South Rim or on the river) are local favorites. I am happy to go anywhere in the world as long as we can move our bodies, eat great food, and immerse ourselves in intimate conversation. I love connecting one on one with people and really finding out what motivates them from the inside. I’ve traveled in New Zealand, Mexico, Europe, the Pacific Islands, and our own United States. I love going to new places and learn new things always. Keeping myself uncomfortable is an addiction. I am always open to new experiences.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My father created a business when I was young. I watched his struggles and successes not knowing that they would be shared someday. He and his wife have always been supportive and encouraging in my endeavors that otherwise went unnoticed. Also, I’d like to acknowledge Jeff Bland and The Institute for Functional Medicine for creating a safe haven for healers who know there is another way and providing us the tools for manifesting our dreams.

Website: FlagstaffFunctionalMedicine.com

Instagram: @flagstafffunctionalmedicine

Linkedin: Beth Claxton

Facebook: Flagstaff Functional Medicine

Youtube: @FlagFunMed

Image Credits
KDI Photography, Scott Norville, MD