Meet Our Practitioners

Dr. Marie Agnew DNP, FNP-C 

Marie spent years searching for answers to her own health struggles, only to be met with the same one-size-fits-all approach- pills to mask symptoms. The answers she was given did not resonate with her, propelling her onto a journey of exploration including years of extensive training in Ayurveda, Mindfulness Meditation, Nutritional Therapy, Yoga Therapy, Allopathic Medicine and Functional Medicine.

In 2007, she began her formal medical training at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon and became a critical care RN. In 2010, she returned to OHSU where she obtained a Masters of Science degree and became certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. A few years later, while practicing as a FNP in a busy rural Oregon practice, she completed her dissertation at OHSU on meditation and mindfulness for the treatment of chronic pain. That same year, she published her work in a medical journal, and obtained a Doctorate in Nursing Practice.

She has since honed her allopathic and integrative medical knowledge by advanced training from the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM), serving as a key consultant in the development of a functional medical practice and lifestyle program in Portland, OR and many years of practicing in urgent medicine, integrative medicine, and primary care. Marie is a firm believer in the foundations of health- sound sleep, hormone optimization, personalized nutrition, healthy relationships, and realistic strategies to decrease stress and toxic burden on the body.

To have time and the ability to truly address these foundations of health, Marie launched SHIFT Functional Medicine and is now thrilled to have a team of excellent providers that she has since brought into her practice.

When Marie is not in the clinic she enjoys practicing yoga, exploring trails, experimenting with new recipes, and spending time with her husband and two children.

Jennifer Paulson, FNP-BC, APHN-BC, IFMCP  

Jennifer Paulson is dually board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse. Jennifer completed her graduate degree from Concordia University in 2008. In 2019 she started her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree at the University of Arizona, where she is studying mindfulness-based stress reduction with the integration of yoga into primary care settings.

Jennifer retired from conventional medicine primary care in 2014 and started her private practice, Functional Medicine of Bend. After healing herself and family members from devastating diagnoses that conventional medicine could not offer solutions to, Jennifer created a clinic to bring this holistic, functional medicine care to her patients.

In 2017, Jennifer completed her education with the Institute of Functional Medicine, receiving her Certified Practitioner standing (IFMCP). As a passionate health advocate and lifelong learner, Jennifer pursued additional training to become a Registered Yoga Teacher, certified HeartMath™ practitioner, Holistic Pelvic Care™ practitioner, and a Reiki practitioner. She has extensive training in bio-identical hormone therapy, environmental medicine, mindfulness-based stress reduction, women’s health, and nutrigenomics/epigenetics.

Using a holistic approach to care, Jennifer partners with her patients to create individualized plans to achieve health goals while addressing the root cause of symptoms. Outside of clinical practice, Jennifer loves to attend a local yoga class, hike in nature, shop the local farmers market, and spend time with her family and pets.

Courtney Kinder MS, RDN, IFNCP

Courtney Kinder MS, RDN, IFNCP is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner, and a Registered Yoga & Barre Teacher. She has worked in a variety of nutrition roles over her 15-year career, including health and wellness coaching, clinical nutrition, food service management, and teaching higher education.

Courtney discovered her passion for Integrative and Functional Nutrition after digging deeper for answers to her own health challenges when conventional methods were failing her. She went on to get board certified through the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy in 2018 and has been in private practice and consulting since. Her areas of expertise are in GI heath, autoimmunity, cardiovascular disease, therapeutic diets, and holistic wellness.

She will work with you and your provider to uncover the underlying root causes of your health concerns and develop an appropriate and actionable integrative treatment plan. She will also provide the nutritional guidance and support necessary to help you achieve your personal health goals. Courtney advocates for an organic, whole foods focused diet that is grounded in ancestral food principles but tailored to your unique nutritional needs. She enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and getting active outside with her husband and pups.

Dr. Ashley Gish DNP, WHNP

Ashley Gish, functional medicine provider and women’s health specialist is on a mission to help women identify wellness strategies that work, stop wondering if it’s all in their head, and start living their best life.

She is excited to be joining SHIFT Functional Medicine in creating a holistic, root-cause approach to patient care. She strongly believes in utilizing modern medicine and traditional wisdom including nutrition therapy, exercise, herbs and supplements, as well as mind-body practices to empower patients to make healthcare decisions that make sense for their lives.

Ashley attended the University of Utah where she received her doctorate in women’s health as a nurse practitioner. While there she also earned degrees in behavioral health science and health psychology. Prior to working as a nurse practitioner she spent many years working in public health and as a certified yoga instructor teaching both community classes and working with corporate wellness programs. In 2012, she worked with a small team to develop and implement the pilot program teaching yoga and meditation for pediatric oncology patients at Primary Children’s hospital in Salt Lake City, UT.

Food is her love language and she has spent the majority of her life working on organic farms, cooking for yoga retreats and “testing” new recipes on her friends and family.

After seeing many women continue to struggle with the one-size-fits-all approach that was offered in conventional medicine she began training in functional medicine and has found it to be the perfect mix of science and the art of individualized patient care.

Ashley lives in Bend, OR with her husband and two little girls, Juniper and Indi. When not in clinic, you will likely find her experimenting in the kitchen, digging in her garden, or exploring one of the many beautiful trails central Oregon has to offer.