"The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease." — Sir William Osler
Judy Liu, MD, MPH, IFMCP
I am a Functional Medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician. I grew up in New York City, and majored in Psychology at Dartmouth College. During college, my travels through Asia and Europe inspired a search for a connection with people that overcame all differences, and I saw medicine as a universal language. I wanted to take care of people, listen to their stories, understand and heal them. I also wanted to learn human physiology, psychology, and understand the science of health and disease. My interest in the intersection of science and people led me to medical school at the University of Rochester, where the Biopsychosocial model of medicine was born. My research in a rare congenital heart disease also crystallized for me the role of individual genetics and environmental influences in the development and expression of disease. This would inform my clinical perspective and grasp of Functional Medicine, with its systems based approach to addressing root causes of chronic disease. My emphasis on problem solving across body systems and forming healing relationships with people led me to primary care initially. Care for my patients fueled my drive to expand my abilities and skills for healing, and I pursued Functional Medicine training, ultimately completing the certification pathway.
As your Functional Medicine doctor, I look forward to hearing your stories, sharing your experiences, and working together to reach your health goals. Your first visit will include an in depth exploration of your experiences, exposures, body systems and any imbalances that may have contributed to your condition. My goal is to get to know and understand you. Then I will partner with you to formulate an individualized treatment plan. We will work on not only treating disease but also optimizing health and wellness.
My other interests aside from doctoring include time with my husband and 2 young children, martial arts (Shaolin Kung Fu), dancing, learning, exploring new places and cultures, trying out new restaurants and recipes, and having a good conversation over tea or coffee.
Michael Jacob, MD, PhD
I am a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist with a deep passion for understanding the connections between mind, body, and healing. My journey in medicine began at UC Berkeley, where as an undergraduate I studied biochemistry, neuroscience and the role of medicinal plants in medicine. My desire for a more comprehensive approach to understanding human health led me to pursue MD and PhD degrees at the University of Rochester, so that I could explore biology, neuroscience and medicine in greater depth. During my graduate work I studied the neural mechanisms of brain aging and the role of nutrition as a foundation for health. As a medical student I apprenticed myself to physicians who could weave the science and art of medicine into a singular thread. These experiences inspired me to pursue training in psychiatry and psychotherapy as well as integrative frameworks including the application of meditative practices and shamanism to medicine. I completed residency in psychiatry at UCSF, served as a chief resident, and then pursued a research fellowship in neuroscience and psychiatry at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. My ongoing research focuses on neurobiology, metabolism and the evolution of human consciousness.
As co-founder of Soma & Psyche, I can support you and Dr. Liu on your journey in functional medicine. Rather than providing a traditional psychiatric evaluation, I work with you to develop an integrative mind-body review. This approach allows us to examine your health goals and challenges in the larger context of your life, patterns and story. As a metabolic, nutritional and neurobiologically trained psychiatrist, I can offer new treatment paradigms for chronic medical conditions, stress and psychological struggles. I am also available for psychotherapy and for consultation to assist with medication-based approaches.
When I am not doctoring nor lost reflecting on the complex nature of mind and body, I am usually wrangling my children, wandering out into nature or reading a good book.
