Functional Medicine of North Idaho, The Root Cause Clinic
Provider
Jessie LaPlante, FNP-C, ABAAHP, CFMP owner
Jessie is a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Functional Medicine Practitioner.
She completed her Bachelors and Masters of Science in Nursing through Washington State University and she has been certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners since 2012. Her functional medicine training began with a certification through Functional Medicine University in 2017. She completed a Diplomate Certification through the American Board of Anti-Aging Practitioners (A4M) in 2019 and a fellowship program through the Medical Metabolic Institute in 2020. She completed a Fertility Certification in 2023 and she is currently under the mentorship of Dr. Niel Nathan (author of the book "Toxic") and Dr. Jill Crista (author of "Break the Mold")
She loves getting to know her patients, hearing their unique stories and combining conventional and alternative therapies to create the most comprehensive treatment plan. She has experienced the benefits of functional medicine in her own life and she loves to help others heal and flourish on their journey.
Jessie grew up in North Idaho and is proud to call the Inland Northwest home. She graduated from Lakeland High School in Rathdrum and played collegiate softball at Spokane Falls and Whitworth University. She enjoys spending her time outdoors with her husband, friends and family. Her interests include triathlons and obstacle course races (Ironman CDA 2014, 2015 finisher and Spartan World Championship 2019 qualifier/finisher), yoga, snowboarding, water skiing, softball, disc golf, hiking and camping. She loves international travel and has been to 6 continents and over 20 countries. She is also passionate about international medicine and has volunteered in Peru, Guatemala and Panama. See our global medicine section (coming soon) for more information about her international medical work. In 2022, she became a mother and has quickly realized that this is the most exciting adventure yet.
Provider
Arrian Culjak, FNP-C
Arrian is a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Functional Medicine Practitioner.
She completed her Masters of Science and Family Nurse Practitioner degree from California Baptist University and has been certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners since 2018. She is currently enrolled in a functional medicine fellowship through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
In 2018, she married her husband, Levi, in Iceland. The two of them enjoy traveling and exploring different foods and restaurants. When Arrian is not in the clinic, she loves lifting weights, kayaking, hiking, spending time with friends and family, live music, cooking, and gardening. Arrian grew up playing many sports including track, swim, volleyball, and collegiate basketball. She also spent many years training in martial arts and self-defense. Arrian is passionate about helping her patients restore balance in their body and environment. She educates and empowers them while guiding them to address the root cause(s) of their health issues.
Provider
Nikole Tabaracci, FNP-C
Nikole is a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Functional Medicine Provider.
She completed her Bachelor’s in Nursing from Montana State University in 1998 and Masters of Science
in Nursing from Gonzaga University in 2013. Nikole has been certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner
through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners since 2014. Her additional training
includes many functional medicine courses through American College of Lifestyle Medicine and Age
Management Medicine Group. She is currently pursuing a functional medicine fellowship through
the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Nikole has experience treating hormone and thyroid imbalances using an integrative approach that
includes testing, lifestyle management and hormone replacement. She enjoys working with patients to
determine their health goals and provide them with the tools and education to achieve success. Her
belief is that the goal of healthcare is to optimize the years of life lived in good health. In addition, her
personal experience with the benefits of functional medicine provides a perspective from the patient’s
view.
Nikole was raised in Montana and has called the Pacific Northwest home since 2005. Her interests
outside of work include spending time with her husband and family, traveling, listening to live music
and vegetable gardening. She loves to spend time outdoors walking, hiking and riding trails.
Provider
Valerie Nelson, FNP-C
Valerie is Family Nurse Practitioner and a Functional Medicine Provider.
She completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Gonzaga University in 2006 and her Masters of Science in Nursing through Seattle Pacific University in 2012. Valerie has been certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center since 2012. She is currently pursuing a functional medicine fellowship through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
She loves utilizing functional medicine principals in her personal life as well as with her patients. She enjoys partnering with them to achieve their optimal health. She specializes in hormone balance, gut health and lifestyle medicine.
Valerie was raised in Western Washington. In 2021 she relocated with her family to North Idaho. In her free time, Valerie enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, traveling, working out, swimming, hiking and exploring all the beauty North Idaho has to offer.
Certified Nutrition Specialist/Physical Therapist
Karin Michalk, MS, PT, CN, CNS
Karin is a Physical Therapist and Certified Nutrition Specialist®.
As a PT, I have worked with patients of all ages and in a variety of settings. I first became aware of Functional Medicine in 2013 while at a course to obtain Continuing Education. I was intrigued by the physician in front of me who knew so much about nutrition and the concept of food as medicine. Little did I know I would need to rely on the power of food as medicine shortly after that course in order to overcome an inflammatory condition that I was told “was my new normal and to accept it.” I knew there was a better way than acceptance of poor health and reliance on medication. That better way was to follow a Functional Medicine approach led by a local integrative physician. Diet was a critical piece for me.
Armed with this new perspective and knowledge, I knew I was limited in providing the kind of care I knew my chronically ill patients needed. I had to get more education and refine my career path. I enrolled in The University of Western States’ Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine program. I completed that program with distinction and entered into a yearlong Functional Nutrition Residency Program with Dr. Kara Fitzgerald’s Sandy Hook Clinic. I worked with a multidisciplinary team treating the most difficult patients for whom conventional medicine had no answers. I also worked on several book and research projects that are now published. I then took the board exam required to earn the Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential.
I use the Functional Medicine paradigm to inform my decision making and to help bring the body back to a state of health and vitality. I see the body as a whole with its web of interconnections. I use therapeutic diets, nutraceuticals, lifestyle modifications, biometrics, electrotherapeutic modalities, and more in my work. Most interestingly, I use a manual therapy called Visceral Manipulation when indicated to restore motion to organs so they can function properly.
At home, I am a wife to Aaron and a mom to Alyssa and Colby, who are beginning their young-adult lives. I have the sweetest golden doodle named Libby. I love our summers here and the lovely flowers that I can grow. I also consider myself a foodie and enjoy making gourmet suppers for my family.
Office Manager/Registered Nurse/Muscle Response Technician
Sheryl Greco, RN
Sheryl is a Registered Nurse, Administrative Assistant and Functional Medicine Enthusiast at Functional Medicine of North Idaho.
She began her professional career at the age of 20, working in the Emergency Department as a Unit Secretary and then Certified Emergency Medical Technician. Graduating from nursing school at the top of her class, she followed in her mother's footsteps and began a 10 year career in the Emergency Department, which included working at Level 1 Trauma and Pediatric Emergency Centers. When she got married and had her two children, she put her career on hold to be a stay-at-home mom.
When her children were very young, she was diagnosed with a devastating and potentially debilitating autoimmune disorder. The grueling treatments, which were providing no relief of her symptoms or improvement in prognosis, led her to explore another way of healing; functional medicine. Guidance and treatment under the direction of a Functional Medicine Practitioner encouraged her to pursue her own research and determination to implement natural treatments and lifestyle changes. This experience has made her an advocate for healthy living and non-traditional approaches to healing.
With her children now in school, Sheryl chose to return to nursing, but in the area of Functional Medicine. Health and wellness are now her lifestyle, which made Functional Medicine of North Idaho the perfect fit. On her days off, she enjoys exploring North Idaho with family, being with friends and perfecting her domestic goddess skills. Sheryl feels truly proud, grateful, and blessed to be a part of this clinic and to get to interact and assist in healing the community.
Office Assistant
Nicole Tweedy
Nicole is a Receptionist, Administrative Assistant and Functional Medicine Enthusiast at Functional Medicine of North Idaho.
Nicole has been a North Idaho resident since she was 3 years old. She loves what this area provides for her and her family. She is a wife and mother of 3. Her favorite thing to do is travel with her family; especially to Notre Dame football games!
Nicole and her husband also have a love for trying new foods! They always look for local favorites wherever they go. Nicole's love of food was also a huge catalyst in her finding the root cause of her food sensitivity issues. Learning more about how our bodies function at their highest level has become a passion of hers.
She loves anything health and wellness and loves trying out new health and wellness treatments. Nicole is also a local Realtor and loves assisting her clients in real estate. She also loves hiking, walking, being near water, reading, and being in bed early.
Office Assistant
Sarah Aguilar, CNA
Sarah is a Receptionist, Administrative Assistant and Functional Medicine Enthusiast at Functional Medicine of North Idaho.
She has had a deep passion for healthcare since 2014 as a seasoned Certified Nurse Assistant. It is her calling and to be able to serve her community with love, dignity and integrity. She has worked in different settings throughout her career ranging from skilled nursing homes, to rehabilitation facilities, to hospitals.
Sarah is a mother of 2 and has 2 bonus children. When she is not in the office, she is in full time mom mode. She finds joy and passion in cooking. Her kids are active in sports year round. She also enjoys home activities like board games, puzzles, movies, and teaching her children how to bake and cook. When the weather is sunny they love hiking trails, tubing, swimming, camping and other adventures.
"I am so very excited to be apart of such an amazing practice and team of such talented and caring women. FMNI is everything I want to be apart of and look forward to meeting all the wonderful people we serve."
Billing Manager
Lauren Sickmond, Billing Manager
Lauren is the Billing Manager at Functional Medicine of North Idaho.
She was born and raised in New York, but after college she immediately headed west and hasn't looked back since! After a great deal of moving and searching, she and her husband Jake settled down in northern Colorado and are loving life there. She can't get enough of the mountains and the endless sunshine. She loves to spend as much time as possible hiking, camping, and going on road trips with her pup, Larix.
"I love being a part of the FMNI team, albeit from afar, and am so excited to continue to grow with the practice!"
Virtual Assistant
Medwin Rodas, VA
Medwin Rodas is the virtual assistant at Functional Medicine of North Idaho.
Medwin has a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and graduated from Pines City Colleges in the Philippines. He completed the intensive Healthcare Virtual Assistant training with HelloRache and a HIPAA compliance certification. He works virtual from the Philippines for the clinic. He is very passionate about our patient’s health and well-being.
He lives in Baguio City, the “Summer Capital of the Philippines”. Medwin is an outdoor person who loves hiking, trekking and spending time in nature.
“I am so blessed and thankful to be working with the FMNI Team!"