Collaborative, Whole-Person Care—Led by a Physician Who Gets It
Our practice is built on clinical expertise, lived experience, and a collaborative model of care. Every treatment plan follows Dr. Maren’s proven methodology and is delivered by a hand-selected, all-female team trained in her approach.
You’re not just working with a doctor, you’re supported by a unified circle of professionals who align on every detail and are fully invested in your healing.
Meet Dr. Maren, D.O., FMCP-M, MSCP
Board-Certified Physician | Functional Medicine & MENOPAUSE Expert | Women’s Health Advocate
Dr. Christine Maren is a board-certified physician and certified practitioner in functional medicine and menopause medicine. She takes an integrated, root cause approach to women’s health, especially related to hormonal transitions. Her expertise extends beyond hormones to thyroid, gut, autoimmune, and metabolic health.
Her work is deeply personal. Having navigated her own health challenges during pregnancy and perimenopause, Dr. Maren understands what it feels like to work hard at your health and still not feel like yourself. She combines that lived experience with over a decade of clinical expertise to help women understand what is happening in their bodies, take agency over their health, and reclaim their radiance at every stage of life.
Read more about Dr. Maren’s personal and professional journey
Advanced Certifications & Industry Affiliations
- American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM)
- Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Professional - Medical (FMCP-M)
- Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP)
- American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M)
- International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness (ISEAI)
Dr. Maren also serves as a Scientific Advisor for Microbiome Labs, was awarded the 2025 Microbiome Pioneer Award, and is a sought-after speaker on the intersection of gut health, hormones, and the immune system.
Meet Our Team
Our collaborative model is both intentional and rare. Personally selected and guided by Dr. Maren, our all-female team works in close partnership to deliver a seamless, deeply personalized care experience. You benefit from a trusted circle of experts who align on every detail of your health—offering comprehensive care, unwavering support, and a perspective that honors you as a whole person.
Ella Soderholm, RN, MNT
Functional Medicine Clinician
Ella is a Registered Nurse and Master Nutrition Therapist with nearly 20 years of healthcare experience, including over a decade in functional medicine. She has worked closely with Dr. Maren since 2022, fully aligned in philosophy and approach, and serves as an integral part of the care team. After struggling with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and finding little relief through conventional care, she turned to functional medicine, where she finally found healing and a new professional path. With a background in both clinical nursing and therapeutic nutrition, Ella brings a deeply integrative, root-cause approach to her work. Prior to joining our team, she spent ten years working alongside another functional physician. Outside of work, Ella is a wife, mom to two energetic kids, and caretaker of nine chickens and a red-haired dog. She’s often found hiking Colorado trails, cooking from scratch, or sharing eggs with the neighbors.
Lauren Zessin, NP
Functional Medicine Clinician
Lauren is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with a strong foundation in functional medicine and hormone therapy. She began her career working with an integrative cardiologist and later practiced under the guidance of a physician in functional medicine, menopause medicine, and primary care. She has since trained with Dr. Maren and works closely within her model of care, fully aligned in philosophy and approach. Lauren’s clinical philosophy is deeply informed by her own health journey. After navigating Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Addison’s disease, she embraced a functional, root-cause approach that continues to shape the way she cares for patients today. She integrates mind-body medicine as a core component of care, drawing from her background as a certified yoga instructor, with a focus on nervous system regulation and long-term resilience. Outside of her clinical work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, cooking, being outdoors, playing racket sports, reading, and spending time in Northern Michigan.
Nicole Alessi, CPT, A-CFHC
Functional Nutritionist
Nicole is an ADAPT-Certified Functional Health Coach, certified personal trainer, and yoga instructor with nearly 20 years of experience in the wellness industry. With a background in Health Exercise Science and training through the Kresser Institute, she brings a science-based, whole-person approach that fully aligns with Dr. Maren’s philosophy. Nicole specializes in helping our patients build resilience through personalized and sustainable behavior change rooted in our five foundational habits: protein-centric whole foods nutrition, movement, low-tox living, quality sleep, and healing mindset. She embodies the lifestyle she teaches, staying active in the Colorado mountains and supporting her two teenage children in their athletic and artistic pursuits.
Samantha Shoemaker
PRACTICE Manager
Samantha is the heart of our operations, an empathetic, grounded presence who ensures every aspect of the patient experience runs smoothly. With a background in yoga therapy and over a decade in the wellness space, she brings a deep understanding of the mind-body connection to her work. After discovering functional medicine through her personal connection with Dr. Maren, Samantha found her professional home and joined the practice in 2021. She manages patient communication, administrative systems, scheduling, and vendor relationships, all while creating a supportive, welcoming environment where patients feel seen and cared for. Outside the office, you’ll find her loving on her baby boy, exploring Northern Michigan trails with her husband and dog, cooking fresh meals, or discovering the best new local spots in town.
Brandi Fallis
Patient Coordinator
Brandi is a vital part of our operations team, ensuring the practice runs smoothly behind the scenes while keeping patient care at the center of everything she does. With a degree in Health Science and a background spanning fitness, physical therapy, and health insurance coordination, she brings both clinical insight and exceptional administrative skill to her role. Brandi oversees lab communications, prior authorizations, prescriptions, and care coordination with precision and heart. Having navigated her own health challenges, she’s passionate about functional medicine and grateful to be part of a team that prioritizes root-cause healing. Outside of work, Brandi lives in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and enjoys life outdoors with her husband, two children, and dogs, hiking, biking, camping, and embracing the wild beauty of northern Michigan.
Professional Endorsements
DR. JOLENE BRIGHTEN, FABNE Author of Beyond the Pill & Is This Normal
TAYLOR DUKES, NP Founder of Taylor Dukes Wellness
SARAH MORGAN, MS Health and Wellness Innovator
READY?
READY TO RECLAIM YOUR HEALTH?
