Meet Kimberly Hartzfeld, DO | Functional Medicine Physician specializing in Women’s Health

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Hartzfeld, DO and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
When you start out in any career you jump in, get your feet wet and hone your skill. It takes time to understand the ins and outs of a business. After graduating from residency, I was excited to get out there and practice medicine. As the years went on, I realized that I loved seeing patients but I did not like how medicine was being practiced. Too often the focus was on treating symptoms instead of finding and fixing the cause of disease. I felt limited in my ability to really impact someone’s health with the typical practice model. I went into Obstetrics and Gynecology to help women, as cliche as that sounds, and yet the traditional medical practice was failing in that regard. Around the same time, I became interested in Functional Medicine which is a personalized approach to healthcare. Functional Medicine addresses the underlying cause of an individual’s illness in an effort to restore balance and optimize health. While doing my certification with the Institute for Functional Medicine, the pandemic hit. Like so many others, the pandemic made me pause, re-evaluate life and my career. It was perfect timing for a transition into Functional Medicine because so many people were experiencing illness with Covid and yet there were little answers. The need to get back to basics, personalize medicine and restore health was now. It was time after 18 years of practicing medicine to make the leap and start my own practice. So in January of 2021, I started Peak Functional Medicine for women. It is a micro practice, which allows me to connect with patients at every level of the visit as well as give the time needed to discuss health concerns. I take a whole body approach to women’s health, looking at nutrition, hormones, genetics, biochemistry, environmental factors and lifestyle. It is what medicine should be.

What should our readers know about your business?
As a board certified OB/GYN, I had the pleasure of delivering babies and providing surgical care for women over the years. It was fun and exciting to help families bring a child into this world. The sleepless nights started to add up and I began to feel the effects on my health. I decided to stop delivering babies and focused on women’s health. With the shift in focus, I saw an increasing number of autoimmune disorders for which there was no cure. Traditional treatment options were falling short in their promise to relieve symptoms. I wondered if there was something I could do beyond writing a prescription. My research led me to Functional Medicine which looks for the cause of illness in an effort to restore balance and optimize health. It takes into account genetics, nutrition, biochemistry, lifestyle and environmental factors with a personalized approach to healthcare. A study done at the Cleveland Clinic showed this approach yields better results.

I spent off hours studying functional medicine and preparing for the exam, while seeing patients during the day. Finding balance during that time was difficult but well worth it. I made the decision to open a functional medicine practice specializing in women’s health but I knew nothing about opening a business. That was the biggest challenge for me. They do not teach business in medical school, although they should. Luckily, we live in a time where knowledge is at your fingertips. So with the help of my significant other, I received a quick tutorial in starting a business and opened Peak Functional Medicine 90 days later.

I believe that old proverb rings true…nothing ventured, nothing gained. It is easy to get comfortable in day to day life and continue along the path most traveled. But if you never take risks you can’t expect to achieve your dreams. Sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone.

I opened Peak Functional Medicine with the idea of helping women restore health. Every person is different, therefore everyone’s journey back to health will be different. That is why looking at factors such as lifestyle, stress, environmental toxins and genomics is so important in addition to the typical medical work-up. While the “diagnosis” may be the same, these factors are often unique thereby altering the course of symptoms for each person. When you come to Peak Functional Medicine, it is all about you with the goal of optimizing long lasting health.

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?
There are so many great places in Arizona! The first stop on the itinerary is Sedona. I love the sense of serenity and calm on the drive in when you see the red rocks peak from the skyline. We would hike Boynton Canyon Trail and The Birthing Cave (that’s the baby doc in me) on day one. Then go grab lunch at the Hideaway House, on their patio overlooking the red rocks. Day two is all about relaxation after a day of hiking so 9 holes of golf and dinner at the Cowboy Club.

If the visit is during the winter and powder is in the forecast then a trip to Snowbowl or Sunrise to snowboard is a must. You can’t pass up fresh mountain powder! Afterwards it’s a stop at the LumberYard Brewing Co. for their Irish egg rolls…yum!

Back in Scottsdale, the next activity on the agenda is hiking Piestewa Peak. Nothing like a quick, intense hike with views of the city to get your morning off to a great start! After working up an appetite, it is time for lunch at The Mission in Old Town Scottsdale. You can’t go wrong with a blood orange margarita and pork shoulder tacos! And for dessert, walk over to Shakes and Cones for organic soft serve ice cream…even if your dairy free!

The next day, take the beach cruisers for a ride along the Greenbelt in Scottsdale and end up at The Grapevine Restaurant & Karaoke Bar. Sitting outside on the top deck, overlooking Old Town with a Lahvosh is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Of course if the timing is just right, we would hit Barrett Jackson. What better place to see some great cars and get in some people watching.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I want to give a Shoutout to my significant other and closest confidant, Matt. He has been my biggest supporter from day one. Matt has always encouraged me to follow my dreams. I am forever grateful for his love and support. His positive attitude and belief in my ability to succeed has never wavered. I would not be where I am today without his love and support. As a physician, Matt understood my desire to build a better practice model. He helped me make my dream a reality. From researching website developers, moving office furniture, setting up the electronics and promoting my social media, he did it all. And that was just the tip of the iceberg. At the same time, Matt was building his own practice which he started in 2020 with a few colleagues. Fast forward one year and they have a successful anesthesia group, well respected in the community. Way to go Matt!

My second Shoutout is to Dr. Heather Fork, MD. She has been a huge support and inspiration along my Functional Medicine journey. Dr. Fork is a dermatologist turned Physician Career Strategist and Master Certified Coach. She started “Doctor’s Crossing” to help guide physicians transitioning in their career. When I was considering my career options I stumbled upon her website. Her introspective workshops and coaching sessions were a huge support and motivator in my decision to open a functional medicine practice. I am grateful for her sound advice and kind heart.

And of course, where would you be without friends and family. A Shoutout to Tawnie who has been a dear friend from the very beginning of my medical school journey. She is the Executive Director of the Consumer Advisory Board for the Willowbrook class in New York, which means she can direct and manage people like no other. Tawnie would glady lend an ear and offer assistance when needed. She is the definition of a true friend. Another big influence in my life is Dr. Adekemi Oguntala, also known as ‘The Teen Doc’. She has been a guiding light in my life for many years. Her desire to excel in her own career is inspirational. She has become a leader in her field helping teens navigate their health and mental wellness. Her advice and words of encouragement have helped me greatly in life and my career . I would also like to give a Shoutout to my friend “across the pond”, Muriel. I met Muriel at a Functional Medicine conference in Scottsdale in 2019. She is a young entrepreneur who started her own practice in the UK years ago. Muriel helps people get back to health while faced with chronic illness. She has been gracious enough to share her ideas on functional medicine practice development and has provided support as I continue to grow.

As for my family, they have supported my decisions no matter how outlandish they seemed. I would not be where I am today without their help. A special Shoutout to my Aunt Paula who is the epitome of grace and kindness. She has been a constant source of comfort and support in my life. And last but not least, my father who so affectionately says “you’ll figure it out Kim”, which is his way of saying I believe in you.

Website: https://www.peakfunctionalmedicine.com