Meet Blake Miller | Orthopedic Surgeon

We had the good fortune of connecting with Blake Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Blake, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Conventional medicine has shown tremendous progress in acute care and life-sustaining treatments. It has failed in the realm of chronic disease management. As an orthopedic trauma surgeon, I have had the opportunity to experience both sides of the coin. After leaving a position at a level 1 trauma center, I joined a private orthopedic practice and started a more general orthopedics practice over the last 3.5 years. During this time, and throughout the pandemic, I have realized that medical school teach its students about disease, but has little, if any, education in health and what “health” actually is. Physicians have a lot of understanding about disease. There are robust definitions, diagnositc criteria, and the financial/insurance system structured around disease. Restoring health in patients is not the educational focus in medical school, it’s to immediately treat the symptoms of disease.

I started Freedom Functional Medicine in 2023 as an alternative solution to people that were not finding what they needed in the conventional medical model. The productivity-based, insurance-dependent model does not allow the patient to receive the care that they want/need, nor does it allow the physician to drive those decisions. Because of this, I have chosen not to accept insurance, with the exception of HSA and FSA payments, but this allows the freedom to make decisions without having to ask permission through the insurance companies. My functional medicine clinic places emphasis on detailed metabolic/nutritional health, hormone balancing, sleep, and stress management. It is health-based, rather than disease-based. My philosophy is that the body has robust adaptive mechanisms and its natural state is to maintain an organized state, be healthy, and heal. When our body has the resources it needs, maintain adequate liver and kidney detoxification, and avoid environmental, food, and other toxic elements, this is where we’ll find our state of health.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I grew up in Albany, OR and attended Oregon State University, graduating in 2004. I spent a lot of time in a biochemistry research lab and found science to be a true passion.

I attended medical school at Des Moines University, graduating in 2008. I then went on to residency in Orthopedic Surgery in Detroit, MI. During residency, I became interested in trauma for its complexity and variety.

My orthopedic trauma training was completed at Rutgers’ University New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ. There I worked with the world-renowned pelvis and acetabular surgeon, Dr. Mark Reilly.

I started practice in Detroit, MI, then recruited to Grand Rapids to work at a very busy level 1 trauma center.

My career path has been tumultuous, at best, because I believe there is better care to be delivered and don’t believe we should be content with the status quo. Because I don’t succumb to the pressures of mediocrity and expect more of myself to my patients, this has made things challenging to navigate.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
West Michigan has many things to offer and it would be hard to hit them all. From places to visit, Traverse City, Holland, Saugatuck, Boyne and even the UP. I love living in West Michigan, as everything is very accessible.

Food, I would go to Anna’s House for breakfast. For dinner, there are numerous options – San Chez, Palio, Linear, Real Seafood Cafe, Maru (sushi), Bistro Bella Vita, Luna, or Nonna’s The Trattoria.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where to begin?!? There is a very long list, but I will give an abbreviated list:

1. Amanda Miller (my wife) – always supportive and provides a realistic compass for my ideas
2. Kelly Ruther, DPT – the encouragement to do things on my own and create my own destiny
3. Andrew Fras, MD – My orthopedic partner of 8 years. Always been a huge support for me.
4. Jessica Christy, PA-C – Owner of Beauty Culture. She has dedicated her time and knowledge to help me develop this.
5. Dr. Zac and Kelsie Loy – dedicating an immense amount of time to make this successful.

Website: freedomfunctionalmedicine.com

Instagram: @freedom_functional_medicine

Linkedin: Blake Miller

Facebook: Freedom Functional Medicine