KU Wichita Functional Medicine
KU Wichita Functional Medicine offers consults using a systems-based approach, recognizing there are many manifestations of disease with common causes. While not taking the place of your primary care physician, functional medicine’s goal is to find the root cause of illness by focusing on the foundations of health, including sleep, physical activity, nutrition, stress transformation and relationships. Using an individualized approach to disease based on the evolving research in nutritional science, genomics and epigenetics, functional medicine seeks to reverse the trend that is chronic disease and restore normal function. If you are ready to make changes to feel better and improve your quality of life, a functional medicine approach may augment your current health care methods.
What to expect: An initial functional medicine visit typically takes about an hour and initial management techniques focus on lifestyle changes with careful tracking and feedback. Follow-up visits last between 30 minutes to an hour. We accept all insurances.
Meet Jennifer Jackson, MD, FACP, IFMCP
Jennifer Jackson, M.D., FACP is a Rose Hill native. After graduating with honors from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology, she attended medical school and completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita.
Dr. Jackson served as a traditional general internist in Pratt, Kansas, before relocating with her family to the Wichita area, where she joined the faculty in the Department of Internal Medicine at KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Along with teaching future generations of doctors for Kansas, she serves as the Program Director of the Internal Medicine residency program, chief hospitalist and founder of the functional medicine practice at KU School of Medicine-Wichita.
Learn More About Jennifer Jackson, MD, FACP, IFMCP
Inspired by the food movement, Jackson and her family started a farm based on regenerative agricultural practices and conservation techniques promoted by Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms and Wes Jackson at The Land Institute. This experience laid the foundation for exploring the functional medicine approach to chronic disease.
After a personal health experience of reversing her own autoimmune thyroid condition using nutritional changes, Dr. Jackson completed training with the Institute for Functional Medicine, learning from experts such as Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Terry Wahls.
Dr. Jackson is married to her high school sweetheart, Aaron Jackson, who is principal at Rose Hill High School. They have three children: Kyler, a KSU graduate and attorney practicing criminal defense in Ogden, UT; Lauren, a KSU graduate and PA student at Utah Valley University; and Brett, an EMT at Via Christi St. Francis ER.
During the summers, you will find Jackson scrambling up the side of a mountain as she chases her goal of climbing the 58 Colorado 14.000-foot peaks. She and her climbing partner are slated to meet this goal August 2026.
Meet Melissa Bailey, APRN, FNP-C
Melissa Bailey APRN, FNP-C grew up in a small rural Kansas town. She graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and worked for several years in the operating room at a local hospital. She decided to further her education and graduated with honors with a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Maryville University. After graduation she began work in primary care, but more recently has been working back in a surgical setting.
Learn More About Melissa Bailey, APRN, FNP-C
She has also completed her certification with the Institute of Function. After completing her master’s degree, she worked in primary care for a time, then transitioned back to surgery for six years. For the last 3 years, she has had the privilege of using her certification in Functional Medicine to guide countless patients towards healing and longevity at the KU Functional Medicine clinic.
Her functional medicine journey started while working in conventional medicine practices. During that time Melissa realized too many patients were being treated for symptoms, not the underlying causes. She saw patients who felt dismissed and unheard, carrying around a lengthy list of unresolved symptoms. She wanted to offer a different path that looked at the whole person, not just lab values. Her passion for long term health and a systems-based approach was ignited when she realized she could improve her own health and symptoms through Functional Medicine. Following the Functional Medicine principles, she has been able to balance hormone health, improve gut health, sleep better, and feel better overall. Most importantly, her race times have improved!
Functional Medicine allows her to look for the why behind symptoms. This helps the patient restore balance and achieve lasting wellness through a personalized, evidence-based approach. Melissa is now allowed to empower the patient with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive. A personalized treatment plan is developed using a science-based approach that considers each person’s unique genetics, lifestyle, and biochemical makeup to promote optimal health. When she is not collaborating with patients, Melissa enjoys ultra-running, gravel biking, hiking 14ers and just being outside in general. She also loves spending time with her ever expanding family. She has three wonderful children: Kelly, who is married to Trey, Macy, and Colton.
Meet Emily Atchinson, RN, BSN
Emily grew up in Hays, KS. She graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2016. She has worked in a variety of nursing settings including hospital, assisted living, and clinics. Emily is married to her husband Ryan, who is an Electrician. They have 3 boys. Broc is a sophomore in high school; Titus is an 8th grader; and Maverick is a preschooler. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and going to the lake.
Functional Medicine Forms
Where We’re Located
8533 E 32nd Street N
Wichita, KS 67226
M-Thurs: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Fri: 8:00AM – 12:00PM
Phone: 316-293-2622
Fax: 855-517-9494