Arlene Johnson, PA-C, IFMCP | Integrative Primary Care and Functional Medicine

Heartwing Photography

My desire to work as a healthcare provider was sparked by the sudden passing of my father at the age of 45 to a heart attack. I wanted to be able to prevent other families from enduring the same loss that I had experienced; that path led me to pursue a career as a physician assistant. I spent nearly 11 years working as a physician assistant in primary care for a community health clinic in central Washington. I loved my job and the patients that I served, but gradually found myself questioning if the “traditional” medicine model was the best way to help people regain their health. While I do think we have come a long way with modern medicine, I didn’t find the simple “pill for an ill” model to be a solution to health and wellness.

Like so many providers and patients, I began to feel frustrated, which led me to seek out alternatives to the conventional approach. Finding functional medicine was the key to reigniting my passion for medicine. The root cause approach to medicine makes so much sense. We need to approach the whole person, as it is all connected, and support the body’s innate healing power.

I heard Dr. Hyman once pose the question, “what’s your why?” This really struck me as such an important question we need to ask ourselves to fuel the motivation needed to make lifestyle changes to reach our health goals. For me, my why is to out hike my kids in their 20’s and to be able to continue to travel without any health limitations well into retirement.

I am excited to be a part of the team here at CIH and look forward to meeting you, to uncover your why and work together to reach your health goals and help you on your journey to wellness.

Outside of work I love spending time traveling with my husband and children. Also, I love hiking, running, yoga and cooking.

Education and Experience

  • Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, 2022

  • Moses Lake Community Health Center, primary care physician assistant 2010-2021

  • Institute of Functional Medicine- completion of Coursework 2021, working towards certification

  • Midwestern University, Master of Physician Assistant Studies 2010

  • Advance Cardiac Life Support Certified

  • Verde Valley Medical Center, emergency room technician 2006-2008

  • Yavapai Community College, Certified Nursing Assistant 2006

  • Youngstown State University, BS Biology 2006