Our Team

Melissa Colson, PA-C

PA-C, MCMSc, AFMCP

Title and Certifications

Position:
Functional Medicine Practitioner

Certifications:

  • NCCPA certified- National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
  • AFMCP- Applied Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner 

Education: 

Medical Education

  • Master of Clinical Sciences
  • Physician (singular)

Specialties

Melissa Colson brings a warm, holistic touch to tackling a range of complex health challenges from digestive, hormonal and mental well-being issues to detoxification. She uses her 20 years of clinical experience focused on chronic diseases and cardio metabolic health here at Illuminate to craft personalized lifestyle strategies to help patients reach their goals through a functional medicine lens. Melissa is dedicated to digging deep to find the root causes of your health concerns. Her broad experience means she’s well-equipped to design care plans that are as unique as you are, guiding you step by step toward achieving your health goals.

In functional medicine, providers often specialize in a broad range of areas, reflecting the holistic and integrative approach of the field. Here are some areas of expertise you might find among providers:

Melissa combines her deep understanding of functional medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle changes to guide patients towards clearer thinking, renewed energy for their daily activities and family time, uninterrupted sleep, and a return to their authentic selves. By integrating these elements, she helps patients restore balance, enhance their well-being, and secure lasting health.

Melissa believes in staying at the forefront of integrative and functional medicine to provide the best care for her patients. She has completed extensive training in:

Advanced Functional Medicine Practices:  

  • School of applied functional medicine certification 
  • A4M’s BHRT training workshop
  • SAFM Hormone Deep dive clinical course
  • MCAS-POTS-EDS training 
  • SIBO/IMO workshop 
  • Mold Toxicity’s Role In Chronic Inflammatory Illnesses, Dr. Neil Nathan
  • DUTCH training sessions
  • GI MAP/GI Effects training 

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“Together WE illuminate the path to YOUR wellness, fostering a partnership that empowers your story, embraces your body’s wisdom, and transforms your health beyond symptoms, one step at a time”

G. Zondervan

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Personal Approach and Philosophy

Melissa’s patient care philosophy is grounded in the principle of attentively listening to everyone’s narrative and offering a compassionate and supportive hand through their journey. She is dedicated to helping patients reclaim their health through education that inspires tailored treatments and empowers her patients to take the next steps. Fueled by intense passion and a higher purpose, Melissa aims to instill hope and inspire her patients, guiding them towards a path of wellness with a deep understanding and unwavering support.

Building Trust with Patients

Patients who work with Melissa appreciate her attentive, thoughtful approach and her dedication to creating individualized care plans that truly resonate. Known for her compassion and passion, Melissa listens deeply to each patient, focusing on healing and meeting them exactly where they are. She has earned a reputation for being compassionate, thorough, knowledgeable, and incredibly approachable, always going the extra mile to ensure every patient feels supported and empowered on their journey to wellness.

Personal Interests

Melissa’s zest for life shines through in her love for pushing her limits with fitness, learning and soaking up the great outdoors. In her free time, she’s a whirlwind of creativity, diving into books, volunteering, and tackling crafts. Her world revolves around cherished moments with her loving husband, energetic children and engaging in heartwarming fellowship. Melissa believes in the miracle of quiet reflection, giving and balancing life’s adventures, affirming that a well-rounded lifestyle is the secret to thriving!

Melissa also places a high value on ongoing learning and personal growth, consistently engaging in professional development including serving on the Catalyst Collective board of holistic providers here in Fayette County. This commitment ensures she stays abreast of the latest trends in health and wellness, enriching her ability to provide the most current and effective care to her patients.

Question

If you weren’t helping patients lead better lives at Illuminate Functional Medicine, what would your dream job be?

Doing what I do now for the whole world with no limits

Ministry for women or helping moms with young kids catch a break.