Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Tither.
Hi Suzanne, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
At age eight, I learned that medical clinics could feel both alien and comforting. Each year, my dad and I, both carriers of a genetic trait, sat side by side for kidney tests. As a small child I knew the seriousness of those visits but also the specialness of it too. Afterwards, we would always go out for a shared scoop of ice cream.
My childhood was steeped in science. My parents taught microbiology and virology at the Pennsylvania State University, so when I complained of a sore throat, my dad swabbed it himself—right there in his lab—and, improbably, “prescribed” his own homemade antibiotic. Looking back I can see how much those experiences with my dad began to formulate my interest in science, medicine and the human body.
But it was not until my early twenties—when I lost him to illness—that I realized medicine often misses the soul. Despite its lifesaving power, at that time western medicine seemed to bypass the grief, stress, and the spiritual weight of loss. I faced my own shadows alone—depression and relentless headaches—yet felt unseen despite seeking medical help.
That realization transformed me and led me down a path to become a Family Nurse Practitioner, licensed acupuncturist, and functional medicine practitioner—merging Eastern and Western tools to heal not just bodies, but minds and spirits. Today, I guide patients toward holistic wellness, honoring the full complexity of who they are.
Nursing felt like a natural path for me—midwifery was my original dream until I realized that night shifts were not a fit. But everything changed when I experienced acupuncture as a patient. It transformed my chronic headaches and emotional strain, revealing how healing can address body, mind, and spirit. That inspired me to earn a Master’s in Acupuncture.
For over a decade, I practiced as both a nurse and acupuncturist—bridging Eastern and Western medicine across women’s health, pediatrics, fertility, college health, and primary care settings. Later, I advanced my training to become a Family Nurse Practitioner to broaden my scope. In 2012, I realized my vision of practicing integrative, functional medicine—combining acupuncture, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, lifestyle guidance, supplements, herbal remedies, homeopathy, and hormone therapy.
I have since worked in integrative clinics nationwide, serving men, women, and children through a whole-person lens. I approach healthcare as a medical detective—exploring hormones, neurotransmitters, thyroid and adrenal health, immune function, gut balance, toxins, and persistent infections. My clinical experience spans hormonal imbalances, menopause, andropause, autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue, allergies, digestive conditions (IBS, IBD, SIBO), infertility, and emotional wellness.
Ever committed to mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, I recently joined Everest Functional Psychiatry & Wellness and am pursuing a post-master’s certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner—with the goal of enhancing my support for mental health alongside physical health.
Maintaining mental and emotional health and a vibrant brain is a deeply complex and multifaceted approach-We might consider nutrients, hormones, the gut brain connection, our lived experiences and traumas, our thought processes rooted in past conditioning……It can be overwhelming but also exciting to realize how we are wired as individuals. What is more exciting is the positive transformation that comes with adopting this medical mindset.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road was never smooth but looking back it was probably not meant to be. Medicine is changing and adapting to a newer mindset that puts that patient first, considers the wholeness of the individual, honors partnership between patient and practitioner and considers lifestyle. In the early years as a nurse, I was careful to respect my elders or those with more experience. I learned to embrace what western medicine had to offer but over and over I felt frustrated at what I often witnessed. In my heart and soul I knew in many instances there had to be a better way.
For instance if a patient presents with depression and lives with a diet of fast food, no movement or exercise and little sleep, a medication may help somewhat however, making lifestyle adjustments will affect even greater positive outcomes.
Or fertility patients who I witnessed undergo 8-10 rounds of failed IVF with little to no attention towards nutrition, stress and lifestyle.
Or a client with heartburn offered an anti acid instead of sleuthing out the root cause of the symptom in the first place.
I could see that myself and patients were hungry for a better way…..a better approach.
More often than not within a traditional approach I see the masking of symptoms more than resolution of them. Not to suggest western medicine does not have its place. It does. However, a holistic approach offers more tools and solutions.
The main struggle was to realize that western medicine tended towards a very linear perspective-like a mechanic fixing a machine when with most cases of chronic physical, emotional and mental health concerns there is greater complexity to it. And much more we can do than merely offer a drug.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc.
I fully embrace a holistic approach to mental health. I firmly believe that tending to our emotional well being is a part of our life journey that pretty much all of us will have to learn to navigate. We all manage grief, loss, upset, frustration or some negative feeling experience at some point in our lives. Furthermore, each of us is truly unique -our genetics, our personal history, the way we metabolize hormones or absorb our nutrients; our gut microbiome-the list goes on. All of these variables impact brain and mental health. To explore with the individual and find ways to enhance well being physical, mental and emotional is truly an honor. I joined the wellness/mental health space because I love working with patients to actualize their optimal health-to have less suffering, more ease and greater Joy!
Over the years, rooted in passion, I have developed greater expertise serving women and more specifically health conditions that tend to impact women more often. These include hormonal imbalances, thyroid disease, auto-immune issues and gut disturbances affecting not only the physical body but the mind as well.
And too, becoming a mother later in life has deepened my sense of purpose on what it means to truly support women’s mental and emotional well-being. Having cared for women over the years, I have witnessed the complexities of hormonal health, mood instability, and the toll of stress and sleep deprivation on a woman’s mind and body. This lived experience myself—juggling motherhood, identity, partnership, and career—has brought deeper commitment to the work I have long done. I now understand even more intimately the pressure women face to care for everyone while placing their own needs last. Untreated mood disorders, burnout, or hormonal imbalances impact not just the individual woman, but her entire family.
My background in Five Element acupuncture introduced me to the Law of Mother-Child, which holds that when the mother is depleted, the child suffers. This energetic truth has shaped my perspective on mental health: to truly support children and families, we must care for the emotional and physical vitality of caregivers. This drives my commitment of offering integrative wellness solutions to care for women in every level-body/mind/spirit and help them live their best lives.
Too, I adore tending to children as well-The health crisis is this country is real and how its impacting our children heart breaking. Working with children to adopt healthier lifestyle habits within the context of conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, gut health diagnoses is truly rewarding.
What are you most proud of?
I am proud of my long standing commitment to my work, career and professional growth. I have worked hard to ensure that I provide exceptional care for my patients.
More details: I earned a BA Magna Cum Laude at Pennsylvania State University; BS in Nursing at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Accelerated Program Cum Laude; Master of Acupuncture from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute; and a Master in Nursing from University of Maryland School of Nursing Summa Cum Laude. I have studied through the Functional Medicine University, the Functional Medicine Academy, the Institute for Functional Medicine, A4M, ILADS Lyme Courses, International IV Nutrient Therapy, the Academy of Pediatric Integrative Medicine, Neil Rouzier’s HRT Therapy Optimization, Andrea Nakayama’s Full Body Systems Nutrition Intensive and many more continuing education integrative courses.
What sets you apart from others?
I am firmly committed to bringing true compassion, warmth, and humor into my patient-centered practice based on true collaborative care and a body/mind/spirit approach. Historically my patients have said they feel ease in my presence. Too often, a patient can feel scared or intimidated by the world of medicine. I have had clients tell me they are afraid to see a “doctor” or provider”. I really try to dismantle that mindset and offer comfort, ease and a sense of curiosity about themselves. I join in partnership with the patient to explore their world and figure out how to better their lives on any and/or every level: body, mind, spirit.
Too my thirst for knowledge and learning new concepts and skills to serve patients better is a constant source of joy and inspiration. I carry a very forward-thinking approach to healthcare and will guide a treatment plan tailored to a patient’s specific needs. Blending supplements, nutrition and nutrient therapy, lifestyle and stress management, bio-identical hormones, mind/body/spirit integration, acupressure, and medications if needed, I support every patient on a path to optimal wellness and vibrant health.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Given the rising rates of chronic illnesses and mental health concerns coupled with the lack of solutions within the traditional medical setting, functional and integrative medicine that tends the whole person and offers solutions beyond surgery and pharmaceuticals, will only become more desirable. I see more and more attention towards brain health and even more specifically the gut brain connection. That the health of our gut (what we eat, how well we eliminate etc.) affects our mind and our thoughts (stress levels etc) impact our gut.
Too, a trend towards more pediatric integrative medicine services as childhood illness is skyrocketing.
In short, integrative and functional medicine is not only the future of medicine but here now, thriving and making a difference for many lives. I am so grateful and excited to be a part of this revolution within the health care setting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://everestpsychandwellness.com
