At Hoag Functional Medicine, each patient is paired with a clinician who serves as their primary care provider. Our clinicians are specially trained in functional medicine and limit the number of patients they see, so you’ll have more time at each visit to truly be heard. Whether you need support for chronic issues, help getting to the root cause of symptoms, or care for acute needs, your functional medicine primary care provider is here to guide your health journey with personalized, whole-person care.
Meet your Functional Medicine Specialist and Primary Care Clinicians
Chip Nguyen
Family and Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner
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Biography expand_more
Chip Nguyen, DNP, NP-C, IFMCP, is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and over 15 years of experience in primary care, urgent care, sleep medicine, and functional medicine. Inspired by her own journey with autoimmune illness, Chip is dedicated to uncovering and treating the root causes of disease through advanced testing, hormone optimization, and personalized lifestyle medicine. She is certified through the Cleveland Clinic’s Institute for Functional Medicine (IFMCP). Chip is passionate about building meaningful, trust-based relationships with her patients and empowering them with the tools and education needed to make informed decisions about their own health.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring biohacking tools and longevity science, and spending time with her dog, Laird.
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Certifications expand_more
Cleveland Clinic’s Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner
A4M Fertility certification
Advanced Aesthetic Injection Certification
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support & Basic Life Support
State of California Register Nurse Practitioner License
AANP Nurse Practitioner Certification
State of California Registered Nurse
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Education expand_more
Touro University Nevada, Henderson, Nevada
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, Department of Graduate Nursing
Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California
- Masters of Science Program, Department of Graduate Nursing
Cleveland Clinic’s Certification and Coursework:
- Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice
- Bioenergetics (formerly Energy) Advanced Practice Module
- Environmental Health (formerly Detox) Advanced Practice Module
- GI Advanced Practice Module
- Hormone Advanced Practice Module
Karen Schafer
Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner
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Biography expand_more
Karen Schafer, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who specializes in functional medicine. With over 15 years of clinical experience, she is passionate about identifying and addressing the root causes of chronic illness rather than simply managing symptoms.
After earning a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from San Diego State University, Karen pursued further education through a masters program at University of Texas. She uses her integrative approach that combines the best of conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies, including nutrition, lifestyle modification, and mind-body interventions.
Karen specializes in helping patients navigate complex health issues such as hormonal imbalances, digestive concerns, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic fatigue. Her care philosophy centers around personalized treatment plans, compassionate listening, and empowering patients to take an active role in their healing journey.
When not in the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys at the park or at the beach, and is dedicated to lifelong learning and staying current with the latest research in functional medicine.
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Education expand_more
San Diego State University
- Bachelors of Science in Nursing
University of Texas
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Svetlana Stivi, MD
Medical Director & Functional Medicine Specialist
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Biography expand_more
Dr. Svetlana Stivi is a board-certified physician specializing in family medicine, bringing over 20 years of clinical experience to her practice. She earned her medical degree from the UCI School of Medicine and completed her residency in family medicine at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. Dr. Stivi has enhanced her expertise with advanced training in functional medicine through the Institute for Functional Medicine.
Inspired by her mother, a medical professional during World War II, Dr. Stivi’s passion for medicine ignited at the age of six, when she accompanied her mother on hospital rounds. This early exposure instilled in her a lifelong commitment to alleviating suffering and providing compassionate care.
Recognizing the limitations of conventional pharmaceuticals, Dr. Stivi has embraced lifestyle, functional, and integrative medicine, focusing on prevention and identifying root causes of disease. Her holistic, systems-based approach emphasizes a thorough understanding of human physiology and biochemistry. In her practice, she fosters a supportive environment, listening attentively to her patients and considering every detail to ensure accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.
Outside of her medical practice, Dr. Stivi enjoys ballroom dancing, playing classical piano, and exploring diverse gourmet cuisines during her travels. She values quality time spent with family, enriching her life with cultural experiences and culinary adventures.
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Virtual Care Availability expand_more
Dr. Stivi is available for virtual care appointments for patients in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- New York
- Texas
- Utah
Looking to work with Dr. Stivi and the Hoag Functional Medicine team?
Start Your Journey with Hoag Functional Medicine
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