This note is for Dr. Hyman and for the staff, all of whom have changed my life dramatically, given me back my health, my body, my natural level of contentment, and my ability to engage vibrantly with everything and everyone in my life. I came to The UltraWellness Clinic in August of 2011 in desperation. I had been deteriorating ever since surgery for thyroid cancer in 2000. I was sophisticated in the world of doctors (my ex belonged to the tribe) and ran from one to the other; every one of them told me I was fine. But I felt like I was eighty years old, dragged myself to work and to fulfill obligations and had energy for little else. This was complicated by an undiagnosed piriformis syndrome so that, with further general deterioration, I also could hardly walk half a block. I saw Dr. Hyman’s name mentioned in a NYT Magazine article as the doctor of a woman who had a benign tumor all over her body which could turn malignant on a dime. She wrote books and devoted her life to her health. Ah, I thought, she has done all the research for me. I read up about Dr. Hyman and his approach, and made an appointment. Because I had not felt well for so long, I kept all of my blood work religiously. I had perhaps 15 years worth arranged chronologically which I would bring to my first appointment with a new doctor. At best, they looked at the more recent bloodwork. When I showed Dr. Hyman my two inch thick loose leaf, he said, “Excellent,” with an expression of true delight, read through every page right there in front of me and made notes on the pages as well. At one point he asked me, who is so and so? Why did he have you take such and such a test and not tell you, you had this and this. Then based on the tests I had been asked to take in preparation for my appointment (perhaps with the help of the information I also had provided), Dr. Hyman told me I had a leaky gut, very high levels of lead and mercury, a gluten intolerance, homocysteinemia, a cryptosporidium and a variety of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In the notes he prepared for me listing 13 or so issues, he indicated the treatment, dosage and brand of supplement I should take where indicated, and the date of the next time I should test for this issue. When it was close to the testing date, I was contacted by the office and test materials were sent out to me. When I saw Dr. Hyman for my next appointment, he had all the data in front of him to see my progress and to think through adjustments to my treatment as called for. Within weeks of following Dr. Hyman’s instructions, I found myself living in a new body, or better, I found myself back in my original vibrant body! A habitual mood of contentment returned replacing a sense of void and emptiness that would come and go. Fatigue left. After ten long years of deterioration, I suddenly had energy, not just to drag myself to work, but to live, to enjoy, to engage in new projects, spend time with family and friends. It was a miracle. I had forgotten one could feel like this! I don’t know if I ever knew one could feel like this. And as I searched my shelves at mealtime for anything and everything nutritionally dense that I might add to my meal or salad, seventeen pounds slipped away never to return. But the magic was bigger than just Dr. Hyman, his unassuming manner, smile, attention and approach to medicine. There was a team standing behind and with Dr. Hyman. I worked most closely with Maggie, with Susan and Jamie but have been in touch with many on the staff. Working with you guys, is different from working with any other fancy New York doctor (I live in New York). I could email in a question for my nurse (Susan) or for my nutritionist (Maggie). I wrote detailed food diaries for Maggie which we reviewed together to optimize the ways I eat, all in the context of my medical issues and care. As issues came up, big and little, I emailed Jamie. When I drove up to Lenox for my appointments, I was welcomed, not as a patient or client or consumer of some sort, but from the heart. Where on this planet can one find care like this? Recently I had a call. The team must have been reviewing patient medications against recent tests and called to ask me to take another thyroid test to verify the correct dosage of the medication I am taking. Never have I received a call like this, unconnected to a particular visit; just part of a smart and conscientious review and follow up of data. I have brought all I learned from Dr. Hyman and the team to my family. I have five kids and eighteen grandchildren. When I visit them in Houston, in Chicago and in Baltimore, each grandchild tells me his or her favorite fruit or vegetable. Then we shop for these treasures. After that we prepare for our fruit and vegetable party, which can include reading up about the benefits of this favorite item and drawing pictures and hanging them on the walls. When I come, the kids all look forward to these parties! My journey with Dr. Hyman and all of you has brought so much to all the members of my family! At a recent appointment with Dr. Hyman he made the point that before sixty, one can get away with eating right but that after sixty, exercise is critical. I took him at his word. In New York I take a weekly hour long gaga class (a form of movement developed by the choreographer Ohad Naharin). I write now from Israel where I have come to take gaga classes for one month. I take 14 classes and walk an addition 12 hours to get to class every week. I am 66 and brimming with energy. None of my friends are engaging physically to this extent. I would not trade this vitality with any billionaire who lacked it!

I discovered The UltraWellness Center and the concept of Functional Medicine during my quest for answers after being debilitated for almost a year with no clear diagnosis. It was the best decision and a game changer for me that set me on a path to discovery, recovery, and vitality. Dr. Hyman and his entire staff are caring, positive, and very thorough. They have inspired, encouraged, and diligently cared for me throughout my long and sometimes difficult road to healing. There is a tremendous difference between being "treated" for a medical condition and being "empowered" to overcome it. I am forever grateful for my doctor and team that have empowered me throughout each step of this journey. Functional Medicine is the way to go if you are serious about getting to the root of your physical issues, and I cannot recommend a better team than The UltraWellness Center Team!