Our Philosophy

The Bingham Memorial Center for Functional Medicine has developed a unique practice designed with one goal in mind—the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases. By using an unprecedented blend of traditional and functional medical practices, we give people from around the world hope and seek to improve the health and well-being of our patients.

We are the first teaching hospital west of the Mississippi River that specializes in functional medicine, which is defined as the patient and practitioner working closely together to address the underlying causes of a disease and treating the whole person, not just a disease or symptoms. We want our patients to be informed every step of the way and involved in the development of their customized treatment plan—ensuring they are an active member in their healthcare.

Using the latest available knowledge from around the world, we are shedding more and more light on an invisible epidemic surrounding chronic and autoimmune diseases—striving to demystify the myths surrounding them.

Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are long-lasting conditions that can be controlled but not always cured. They are by far the leading cause of mortality around the world, representing over 60 percent of all deaths. And the Centers for Disease Control says chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., accounting for 70 percent of all American deaths—1.7 million each year.

Autoimmune diseases, a sub-category of chronic diseases, are recognized as a major health crisis in the United States. Today, 50 million Americans—75 percent of whom are women—suffer one or more autoimmune conditions. This translates into approximately 1 in 12 Americans and 1 in 9 women that have autoimmune diseases.

Our Patients

Many people come to us from around the world because their doctors have performed every test and x-ray possible, often times being told that their tests look normal, and, yet, they aren’t any closer to feeling any better. Unfortunately, we see this all too often. Patients are referred to us for nearly every imaginable chronic health issue.

At the Bingham Memorial Center for Functional Medicine, we take great pride in our work, helping patients improve their lives through better healthcare every day. We treat patients from all walks of life with numerous health needs. Although treatments are tailored to individual goals and need of each patient, one aspect remains constant—everyone is always respected, valued, and treated with utmost care and priority.

Healing Through Nature

While we combine traditional and functional medicine to create all-inclusive treatment plans, and because we are located in an amazing part of the country, we are the very first medical center in the United States to use Nature, and its ability to improve human health and well-being, as an integral part of our wellness program. Because we incorporate information about the healing power of Nature in our wellness plans, this is one of the many reasons patients, from nearby and around the world, visit our medical center in Blackfoot, Idaho.

Normally our patients spend a half of a day or longer for their first in-person visit with our medical team in Blackfoot and then they spend a number of beautiful days immersed in nature through well-planned regional excursions. Here in southeastern Idaho, you and your family can travel just a few short hours and experience the beauty of Yellowstone National Park; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Sun Valley, Idaho; Craters of the Moon, St. Anthony Sand Dunes, to name a few, and explore the Snake River flowing out of the extraordinary Grand Teton Mountains.

We guide our patients on what to look for in nature that will be a vital component of their wellness program. For example, one way we educate our patients on using the healing power of nature is through “charismatic macrofauna,” which is medical terminology for “charming and fascinating big animals.” Viewing big animals, think moose and buffalo in Yellowstone for example, in nature has been shown to have positive impacts on one’s health. In addition, once the foundation of healing through nature is established here, we then teach patients how to incorporate nature into aspects of their lifelong wellness programs for the remainder of the year based on where they live around the world.