Hormones, Metabolism & You! 76: Why We Left Conventional Medicine – The Untold Truth About Healing Hormones & Gut Health with Dustin & Lacy
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What inspires experienced nurses to leave conventional medicine behind and embrace a root-cause approach to healing?
In this episode of Hormones, Metabolism, and You, Dr. Cassie Smith welcomes two new Modern Endocrine providers, Dustin Pollard and Lacy Long, for a heartwarming and insightful conversation about their journey into functional medicine.
Dustin and Lacy open up about their diverse medical backgrounds—from pediatric and cardiovascular intensive care to women’s health and community nursing—and how their desire for deeper patient relationships led them to the root-cause approach practiced at Modern Endocrine. You’ll hear about their personal health philosophies, how they balance busy family lives with clinical work, and what excites them most about personalized hormone and gut health care.
Whether you're curious about how functional medicine providers think or simply want to get to know the people behind your care team, this episode offers an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at the compassionate, collaborative spirit of Modern Endocrine.
👤 About the Guests:
Dustin Pollard, APRN, FNP-C
Dustin is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with board certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. His clinical journey began in a Cardiovascular Surgical ICU, followed by several years in general pediatrics. Today, he’s passionate about helping people move beyond symptom-based treatment toward whole-body healing. Dustin takes a personalized and thoughtful approach to care, integrating lifestyle factors and root-cause analysis into every treatment plan.
When he’s not working, Dustin enjoys reading, staying active, chasing his two boys, and cheering for the OSU Cowboys and OKC Thunder.
Lacy Long, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Lacy is a functional medicine nurse practitioner, mom of three, and a champion of holistic family health. With a background in women’s health and community-based care, she brings a warm, relatable energy to every patient interaction. Lacy’s superpower is breaking down complex health issues—like hormone balance and gut health—into practical steps that families can actually follow.
Outside the clinic, you’ll find her lifting weights, exploring the outdoors, or creating helpful, real-life wellness content for social media.
🔑 Key Topics Covered:
- ✅ Dustin and Lacy’s transition from traditional to functional medicine
- ✅ Why Modern Endocrine's team-based, root-cause model resonated with them
- ✅ Their thoughts on gut health as a foundational piece of hormone balance
- ✅ The emotional and clinical benefits of longer, more personalized patient visits
- ✅ Juggling healthcare careers with raising young children (real talk!)
- ✅ Their take on Dutch testing, nutrition, and integrative care strategies
- ✅ Advice for patients new to functional or hormone-focused care
- ✅ How Modern Endocrine supports both team collaboration and patient empowerment
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