
Melanie Rookwood MD, MBA, CFNC, LEHP
RootCauseDr | Founder/Owner
Dr. Rookwood’s journey in medicine began at the International American University College of Medicine, where she cultivated a strong foundation. Prior to this, she enhanced her scientific acumen through rigorous studies in Biology and Pre-medical studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Post medical school, Dr. Rookwood’s professional journey took her to Missouri, where she achieved licensure as an Assistant Physician and underwent comprehensive training in Internal Medicine. However, her passion for guiding patients towards better health extended beyond conventional approaches. She felt limitations in how to help her patients achieve optimal wellness. She, therefore, began to pursue the answers she sought for the benefit of her patients. She began her Functional Medicine training at the School of Applied Functional Medicine and also became certified as a Functional Nutrition Counselor.
Driven by her commitment to comprehensive care, Dr. Rookwood embraced holistic approaches and became a proponent of educating individuals about the substantial influence of lifestyle on their health. Yet, despite her earnest endeavors, she encountered the need to discover more impactful strategies for improving overall well-being. This pursuit led her to realize the importance of a shift from managing chronic diseases and symptoms to practicing functional medicine with a holistic, “Root Cause”, analytical approach to care. By addressing the root causes of health issues, Dr. Rookwood’s goal is to empower patients to attain optimal physical and mental well-being using functional approaches to care. Rookwood’s approach to addressing root causes of health concerns not only introduces a fresh perspective but also demonstrates her dedication to forging a route to enduring wellness. This philosophy serves as the driving inspiration behind the name of her practice: RootCauseDr.

