Black oval-shaped object with a textured pattern on top on a white background.

Our Practice

OUR MISSION

Athens Functional Medicine provides an integrative approach to care that asks “why?”, addresses underlying causes, and rebuilds a foundation for healthy living.

OUR TEAM

A middle-aged woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling, wearing a navy blue dress with a white polka dot pattern, sitting on a sofa in a room with a soft-colored wall in the background.

Dr. RoseMary Richards, MD, IFMCP

Functional Medicine Physician

Dr. RoseMary Richards is an experienced medical doctor practicing in Athens, GA. After graduating from Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. Richards was board certified in Anesthesiology and has had a successful practice in Athens for 23 years.
Dr. Richards is now transitioning to Functional Medicine, seeing it as a way to help her patients move away from chronic disease and back to health. She is an Institute For Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP), and is a member of The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM).

“I have always been interested in health through fitness, lifestyle and diet. However, my focus became deeper as my daughter (one of a set of triplets) developed inflammatory and GI issues - and was eventually diagnosed with Celiac Disease.
In researching this disease, I realized that it was an inflammatory process, like most other chronic diseases so prevalent today. Specific changes in our diet and lifestyle made a huge difference for my daughter and my whole family.
Wanting to share this with others, I found that Functional Medicine (with its exploration of lifestyle factors) is very solidly based on scientific data. It explains why our health is where it is today, and at the same time, points us to a solution.
This broader approach is the way to make sure we are tailoring an effective solution for each patient, not just treating symptoms.”
— Dr. RoseMary Richards

A woman with short brown hair and light skin sitting on a patterned chair in a room with cream-colored walls and a window with blinds.

Erin Richards

BS Dietetics, Certified Apollo Health Nutritionist

Erin Richards is RoseMary’s youngest child. After years of inflammatory symptoms relating to the GI tract and Celiac disease, she has finally been able to live free of any symptoms or medication by making lifestyle changes that are the foundation of Functional Medicine. This freedom helped to solidify her belief in food as medicine. She graduated from UGA with a B. S. in dietetics and now works with her mom in the office as a public health nutritionist. She is continuing her education to pursue a career in medicine.

A woman with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a friendly smile, sitting on a patterned chair in a bright room with beige walls and window blinds, wearing a maroon long-sleeve top with ruffle details on the shoulders.

Beth Holland, NBC-HWC

Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach

Beth of Rolling Acres Wellness, our preferred Health and Wellness coach was born in Athens, GA, and a proud UGA alum, has always had a passion for health and fitness. Even as she explored varied careers, she kept her connection to this passion, teaching fitness classes and Pilates on the side. However, her journey to true wellness had its trials. A sole focus on nutrition and exercise led her to neglect holistic self-care. This realization came sharply when she fell seriously ill, prompting a life-altering introspection.
From this experience, my dedication to holistic health deepened. I became a certified coach from the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy and a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach. As a health coach, I emphasize root causes over symptoms, understanding that chronic inflammation, often due to poor nutrition, underlies many severe conditions. With each individual I coach, we focus on sustainable changes to truly transform health, targeting the origins of issues rather than just managing their effects. Through this approach, I'm committed to guiding others toward a balanced, purposeful life.

A young woman with blonde hair styled in loose waves, smiling and posing indoors. She is wearing a white short-sleeved blouse and olive green pants, sitting on a patterned chair with a decorative pillow behind her. There is a window with blinds to her right.

Lindsey Bowen, APP

Advanced Practice Practitioner

My name is Lindsey Bowen and I am an advanced practice practitioner here at Athens Functional Medicine. Graduating from the Anesthesiologist Assistant program in Savannah, GA, I have been an anesthetist for 10 years, presently a part of the anesthesia team at Piedmont Athens Regional. With the demanding job of working in the OR and raising two young children, I knew I wanted to be my best self for the patients I took care of at the hospital and for the people that I love and cherish in my life. Developing sinus infections twice a year, GI instability, and just feeling tired all the time, I knew there needed to be a better approach than what conventional medicine only had to offer.
After researching integrative medicine, it was clear that inflammation due to what we feed our body and the environment we are surrounded by has been the main source of chronic disease. After changing to a whole foods diet and implementing stress management techniques, my whole life, physically and mentally, changed for the better and I continue this journey each day. I knew that I needed to do more by sharing and guiding others through the struggles of chronic disease. Here at this practice, we look and listen to the whole person and try to understand the root cause, not just treating the symptoms. In conjunction with guiding people to become their best versions of themselves, I am continuing my education through the Institute of Functional Medicine to become a certified functional medicine practitioner. I hope to use my experience to serve this community each and everyday.

A smiling woman with gray curly hair and glasses sitting in a chair with a patterned cushion and a white wall background, wearing a navy blue sweater over a white collared shirt.

Tracy Coker

Office Manager

A close-up of a green fingerprint with ridges and whorls on a black background.

Hello and welcome, I am Tracy Coker, Office Manager here at Athens Functional Medicine. After 29 consecutive years as an Administrative Assistant at the University of Georgia, I retired in January of 2022. Through caregiving for a dear friend, I was introduced to Dr. Richards as a candidate for the Office Manager position. It has been a joy for me to work with Dr. Richards, our Team of Providers and Patients since July of 2023. I am a passionate about helping others and enjoy explaining our process to potential patients and working with patients to support their needs here at Athens Functional Medicine. In my free time I love taking care of my pets, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Hopeful Collaboration

Our team operates as a partner on your health journey. With different areas of expertise in our practice, as well as working in adjunct with other physicians, we aim to provide the best holistic care possible for each patient. It is our goal for our patients to leave our office feeling heard, understood, and hopeful that they aren’t alone in caring for their health.

Comprehensive Care

Functional medicine’s focus is on the bigger picture. From what you eat to how you sleep, our team is invested in understanding your health from a holistic point of view. We utilize comprehensive methods that address lifestyle factors and treat causes, so that every facet of you is considered, and cared for.

Authentic Accountability

We believe accountability is crucial to taking your health into your own hands so that you can show up as your best self. Functional medicine is not a simple, quick fix practice. It requires a level of discipline and patience to get to the root cause of any health issue and, though our team guides and supports you through the process, we can’t implement change for you. This is about our patients taking back the power of caring for themselves.

Persistent Curiosity

We will never stop asking “why?” Our team offers long term solutions to persistent health issues by rewinding the clock and examining the foundation. It is through our integrative process and persistent curiosity that we rebuild a strong foundation for our patients to lead healthy lives.

Attainable Goals

Our team meets you where you are on your health journey. With the understanding that implementing lifestyle changes can be difficult, we never ask more of our patients than they are able to give. Creating individualized plans and realistic, attainable goals is how we set patients up for success and see them regain control of their care.

Our Approach

Line drawing of a tree trunk with roots extending below it, on a black background.

We work with you to identify the root of of your chronic health problems instead of just treating the symptoms.

Drawing of a tree with branches, leaves, roots, and a black background.

After comprehensive bloodwork testing and lifestyle analysis, we will address diet, stress, activity level, environmental toxins, sleep issues, and genetic influences to create a plan that is right for you.

A stylized graphic of a tree with a thick trunk, numerous branches, and leaves, with roots extending downward, all in green on a black background.

Through our therapeutic partnership, our ultimate goal for you is to live a better quality of life, experience freedom from chronic issues, enjoy more energy with few if any medications.