Dear Patient,

It is with mixed emotions that I write this letter informing you of my intention to close my medical practice effective August 31, 2020.  On the one hand, I look forward to the next phase of my life in retirement, spending more time with my family and friends, and taking it a bit easier after 32 years of practicing medicine in San Antonio.  On the other hand, I will miss the valuable and meaningful relationships I have developed with all of my patients.   I want to thank you for entrusting me with your care over these many years.

Your medical records are confidential and will be stored and accessible to you upon written request.  If you would like a copy of your medical file, please call Lupe Rodriguez at 210.733.0990 or email Lupe at: newptinfo@complemed.net, and she can arrange to have a copy made and available to you for a small fee.   If you would like to transfer your records to another provider, please request an authorized medical release  form from them.

If you are in need of any refills for your medications, including those that may require lab tests prior to refilling, please contact the office at 210.733.0990 as soon as possible, so that you have adequate supply during the transition period.   Please note that I will not be writing any prescriptions after August 31, 2020.

Again, I appreciate the opportunity and privilege of serving you.  I will be available to consult with current patients through August 31, 2020.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at newptinfo@complemed.net, and your message will be forwarded to me.

Sincerely,

Lawrence M. Cohen, M.D.

The Institute for Functional Medicine states: “Functional Medicine determines how and why illness occurs and restores health by addressing the root causes of disease for each individual”.

This definition came about as an evolution of the term “alternative medicine” which was never a satisfactory term, as it implied medicine that was an alternative to something, rather than an addition to existing practices.

“Complementary medicine” was the best term when The Center for Complementary Medicine opened in 1988, illustrating that different methods of healing are complementary with a combination of modalities often required.

Subsequently, Andrew Weil, MD came up with the term Integrative Medicine, which is a valuable way of thinking about it, bringing in all the therapies and seeing how they integrate.

But, there was a gap. Functional medicine looks at how our body is functioning, taking in to account physiological, psychological, and emotional parameters, and leads us to an understanding of how the entire system is functioning (or not). At that point we can apply therapies based on what we know of an individual’s overall status, with a unique solution for each individual.

Dr Cohen started working in the field of functional medicine long before it had a name. His model started with yoga, breathing and meditation in 1980. He now often refers patients for acupuncture, different body therapies, energy work and other therapies and incorporates clinical nutrition, bio-medical testing, hormone therapies (using bio-identical hormones), classic homeopathy and other therapies in to his own practice.

You are invited you to read further about Functional and Integrative Medicine at these sites and please let us know if you have any questions about how Functional and Integrative Medicine can help you.

The Institute for Functional Medicine

Andrew Weil School of Integrative Medicine