--- description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. title: A New Approach to Healthcare: Dr. Jason Shumard’s Mission to Transform Medicine image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5ff091fa3bf028b1/6a4b5222d2f3f967ca97406a/03C19D9783D24582A106F908EF0E89B3.jpeg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 --- # A New Approach to Healthcare: Dr. Jason Shumard’s Mission to Transform Medicine  Living with chronic illness can be harsh and discouraging. Many know someone who is seemingly caught in the unyielding cycle that chronic conditions create, where there is no respite despite endless physician visits. This painful and frustrating reality affects millions worldwide. However, some doctors are challenging conventional approaches. Some practitioners, such as Dr. Jason Shumard, specialize in Functional medicine, which holds that true wellness is not achieved by treating symptoms but rather by finding the cause and treating it. By taking a holistic approach, considering each patient’s particular case, lifestyle, and medical history, Dr. Shumard offers durable healing instead of a symptomatic approach. His main objective is to transform the healthcare industry by making Functional Medicine the primary approach to treating chronic illness. **Disrupting the Cycle of Chronic Illness** For individuals battling chronic illness, their daily existence often revolves around a monotonous cycle of medical consultations, constant medication replenishment, and symptom control. Despite the short-term respite provided by these measures, many patients feel that the underlying causes of their illness remain unexplored and unaddressed. Over time, their condition may worsen, dismissing their hope for a cure. Dr. Shumard has seen this firsthand. He watched loved ones struggle with chronic health problems that conventional medicine had no cure for. His mother lived many painful years with Type 2 diabetes, a condition that continued to worsen despite medical intervention. This observation of conventional medicine not making any positive difference in his mother’s care was a defining point for Dr. Shumard, eventually driving him into the healthcare industry. “I saw how much my mother struggled and how little the healthcare system could do to help her,” Dr. Shumard says. “I knew there had to be a better way.” Today, Dr. Shumard is committed to finding that “better way.” His belief is that chronic illnesses are not necessarily permanent, and many can be reversed by addressing their underlying causes. His patient-centered approach emphasizes comprehending the individual as a whole rather than just their symptoms, which forms the foundation of his medical practice. **Functional Medicine: A Holistic Approach to Healing** Functional Medicine practitioners like Dr. Shumard focus on how a person’s genes, the world around them, and how they live their lives work together to potentially cause long-lasting health issues. Instead of asking, “What disease does this patient have?” Functional Medicine asks, “Why does this patient have these symptoms?” Dr. Shumard wholeheartedly believes that is the future of healthcare. To him, delivering this type of care is more personal and patient-centered, allowing the patient to take ownership of their health. “Every patient is unique,” he explains. “They come from different backgrounds and life experiences, and their bodies respond to illness differently. To truly help someone heal, we must consider every aspect of their life.” **Real Healing for Real People** “The body has an incredible ability to heal itself when given the right tools. For many patients, it’s about changing their lifestyle, diet, and how they think about their health. It’s not easy, but it’s possible.” Dr. Shumard strongly believes in Functional Medicine. He has witnessed its transformative effects firsthand, especially after experiencing the challenges of conventional medicine when his mother battled diabetes. His passion is now driven by a desire to empower individuals to conquer chronic conditions and unlock healthier and more meaningful lives through Functional Medicine. **A Bigger Mission: Changing the Healthcare Paradigm** Dr. Shumard is not alone in this belief. He is part of a growing network of healthcare providers who believe Functional Medicine has a place alongside conventional medicine. In addition to his work with patients, Dr. Shumard mentors other physicians and healthcare providers to incorporate holistic approaches into their practices. He is also developing a holistic education program to teach physicians how to communicate more effectively with their patients and bring them into the healing process. **Building Trust and Empowering Patients** Dr. Shumard believes trust is the foundation of any treatment plan between physicians and patients. “Healing is a collaborative process,” he says. “Patients need to feel like they are part of their treatment. They need to understand what’s happening in their bodies and why certain lifestyle changes are important.” Dr. Shumard feels that improved doctor-patient relationships can facilitate more healing. He further says that this process requires more than just medical interventions but includes adopting healthier lifestyles, self-care practices, and a commitment to long-term wellness. **Giving Hope to Chronic Sufferers** “It’s not just about hope,” he says. “It’s about showing people that there is another way — to really address the cause of their illness and give them their life back.” As Dr. Shumard continues his quest to change the lives of his patients, he remains optimistic that Functional Medicine will someday be the standard of care. 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