HiltsDPC

  Starting in 2018, I began taking the series of courses offered by the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). At first, I thought this training would mainly help me with my most complex, hard-to-diagnose patients. But the further I got into the training, the more I realized something important: every patient benefits from being viewed through a functional medicine lens — not just those with complicated conditions, but healthy patients too. I finished the course series in 2021 but have continued advancing my training since then, including completing my Personalized Medicine certifications. I wanted to pursue the highest level of training available in functional medicine specifically, so this year I decided to complete the certification process by taking IFM's comprehensive 4-hour examination. After months of studying and three more months of waiting for results, I'm pleased to announce that I am now an IFM-certified physician . Why This Matters to You This certification is...

In addition to the training I have already completed from the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), I (Dr. Hilts) am pleased to announce that I have recently achieved my third and final Certification in Personalized Medicine: Neurology, Cardiology, Memory, and Psychiatry. This course is sponsored by the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida and is taught by the internationally renowned Dr. Pamela Smith. It is the final of three courses required for full certification in Personalized Medicine. This course required three days of in-depth lectures in April of 2026, as well as two written papers and two case reports. As with the previous courses, this course includes a one-year mentorship with Dr. Smith. With the completion of this final section, I have now fulfilled all the requirements for the complete Certification in Personalized Medicine! Please reach out if you have any questions about this exciting announcement. Have a great day! Dr. Hilts

In addition to the training I have already completed from the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), I (Dr. Hilts) am pleased to announce that I have recently achieved a second Certification in Personalized Medicine: Autoimmune Diseases, Gastroenterology, and Dermatology.  This course is sponsored by the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida and is taught by the internationally renowned Dr. Pamela Smith.  It is the second of three courses required for full certification in Personalized Medicine.  This course required three days of in-depth lectures in March of 2025, as well as two written papers and two case reports.  As with course 1 (Endocrinology), this course includes a one-year mentorship with Dr. Smith.   Soon I will complete the final section of the Certification in Personalized Medicine:  Neurology, Cardiology, Memory, and Psychiatry. Please reach out if you have any questions about this exciting announcement. Have a ...

  In addition to the training I have already completed from the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), I (Dr. Hilts) am pleased to announce that I have recently achieved Certification in Personalized Medicine: Endocrinology.  This course is sponsored by the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida and is taught by the internationally renowned Dr. Pamela Smith.  Certification required three days of in-depth lectures in November, as well as two written papers and two case reports.  Part of this course included learning in great detail about bioidentical hormones (including dosing).  And my very favorite part has been a one-year mentorship with Dr. Smith!   Now I am working toward completion of the remaining two parts of the Certification in Personalized Medicine:  Autoimmune Disorders/Gastroenterology/Dermatology, and Neurology/Cardiology/Memory Maintenance/Psychiatry. Please reach out if you have any questions about this exc...

  Prevention and Treatment Options for Tickborne Disease It’s that time of year!  Tickborne diseases—including Lyme disease ( Borrelia burgdorferi ), babesiosis ( Babesia microti ), anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis—are increasingly prevalent, especially in wooded and grassy areas of North America and Europe.  Although antibiotics are the primary treatment, many patients experience ongoing symptoms post-treatment, prompting interest in herbal therapies and integrative approaches. Prevention: Essential Strategies to Avoid Tickborne Diseases The best defense against tickborne diseases is prevention . Here are some evidence-based measures to reduce the risk of tick bites: 1. Avoid Tick Habitats Stay on clear trails and avoid tall grass, leaf litter, and dense vegetation. Ticks are most active in warm, humid months (spring to early fall). 2. Use Effective Repellents Apply EPA-registered repellents like: DEET (20–30%) Picaridin Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (PMD-based, plant-derived...

This chicken-apple sausage with cabbage and apples is sweet and savory in every bite. (A heads-up: Although we rarely eat anything processed, this Applegate sausage is considered minimally processed.) We enjoyed it as a healthy, quick, and tasty weeknight dinner. We hope you do too! Chicken-Apple Sausage with Cabbage and Apples     Yields: 6 servings (We like leftovers for lunch the next day.) Ingredients 4 tbsp olive oil, divided 2 packs of Applegate chicken-apple sausages, sliced diagonally into coins 1 onion, diced 1 Fuji apple, washed and diced with skin 1 small to medium head of cabbage, thinly sliced salt and pepper to taste balsamic vinegar, about 2 tbsp or to taste Directions Heat a large pan on medium heat. When it is hot, add 2 tbsp of olive oil. Once olive oil is hot, swirl it around in the pan so the whole bottom of the pan is covered.  Add sausage slices. I add them with tongs, starting at the outer rim of the pan and working my way to the center. U...

Happy Monday from Hilts DPC!  So sorry I haven't posted any recipes lately! To be honest, I (Julie) am not super tech-savvy. Most of the time, we'll fix a great recipe and take photos of the ingredients, and then halfway through the meal I'll realize that I forgot to take a photo of the final product!  We made this a few weeks ago and I wanted to post it while fresh figs were still in season because it's a restaurant-worthy keeper!    I actually found the recipe on Allrecipes.com (link here: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/275369/fresh-figs-and-chicken-thighs-in-shallot-balsamic-reduction/) last year after a dear friend brought us some fresh figs from her fig tree.  Fresh Figs and Chicken Thighs in Shallot-Balsamic Reduction  Prep time: 30 minutes  Cook time: 30 minutes  Ingredients :  8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs  Salt and pepper to taste  3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil  10 fresh figs, stemmed and quartered (I had to a...