Paula Kruppstadt MD DABP FAAP IFMCP, is the Founder, CEO, and Medical Provider Team Leader for Hope for Healing. She graduated in 1990 from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and completed her pediatric internship and residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso in 1993. She promptly earned her Board Certification from the American Board of Pediatrics in 1993, and she is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
She served as a U.S. Army pediatrician at Ft. Hood, Texas and then relocated to The Woodlands, Texas in 1995. She has since worked as a general pediatrician in various venues, including Texas Children’s Pediatrics and Texas Children’s Urgent Care. Dr. Kruppstadt also served as a pediatric hospitalist and faculty for Baylor College of Medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital in The Woodlands, Texas.
Dr. Kruppstadt is a Certified Practitioner of Functional Medicine by The Institute for Functional Medicine—IFMCP. She is one of few board certified pediatricians in the world who are certified IFMCP.
Because she is an expert concerning PANS/PANDAS, Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed her to be a member of the Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Advisory Council. The Council advises the commission and the Texas legislature on research, diagnosis, treatment, and education related to pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.
Dr. Kruppstadt is the mother of four daughters, who have all worked at Hope for Healing, and she has two grandsons. She is married to Tom Kruppstadt JD, who serves as COO/CFO and General Counsel for Hope for Healing.
At Hope for Healing, Dr. Kruppstadt offers Functional & Regenerative Medicine consultations (all ages) and Functional Approach Pediatric Primary Care (newborn through 21 years).
Lauren Carlson FNP-BC, graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of
Wyoming in 2018. Moving to Texas shortly after, she practiced as a registered nurse on cardiac-
electrophysiology and vascular surgery acute care units. Lauren received her Master of Science
in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Texas Health Science Center in May 2022 and is now a
board-certified family nurse practitioner.
While completing her MSN, she rotated with Dr. Kruppstadt and immediately resonated with
the foundations of functional medicine. Lauren has always been passionate about caring for her
patients in a holistic manner and delivering collaborative, personalized care. She has begun the
course requirements of the Institute of Functional Medicine with the aim of becoming an
Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP).
Lauren grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and currently lives in Magnolia with her husband and
their three-year old pug named Bugs.
At Hope for Healing, Lauren is mentored by Dr. Kruppstadt and functions as a primary care
provider for pediatric patients.
Jenny is a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC) with an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license. She earned her Bachelor of Science (BSN) and Master of Science (MSN) Degrees in Nursing from Marquette University where she also served on the clinical faculty. She also served on the Pediatric Nursing Faculty for Regis University. She is currently enrolled in a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program at Aspen University as well as the certification program of the Institute for Functional Medicine.
Jenny has extensive clinical experience in primary care, oncology, hematology, bone marrow transplantation, emergency medicine, pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care.
After meeting Dr. Kruppstadt and learning about functional medicine, Jenny decided that this is the only way to go. She believes in focusing on the root cause of disease and dysfunction in order to partner with patients to optimize their health. Jenny is compassionate and caring and only wants the best for others.
Jenny is married and has seven beautiful children. She has a granddaughter that calls her “Lollie” and her husband “Pop.” She enjoys running, redecorating her house, and practicing Real Estate part-time.
At Hope for Healing, Jenny provides functional approach pediatric care (newborn to 21 years of age) focusing on early childhood development, anticipatory guidance, and wellness. Jenny is excited and honored to be working with Dr. Kruppstadt and families with children with Autism Syndrome Disorder, PANS/PANDAS, and other CIRS entities.
Virginia Plumlee FNP-BC, is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and works with both adults and children at Hope for Healing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center in 2011. During her time as a registered nurse Virginia was a certified critical care nurse in the Cardiovascular ICU and worked with both children and adults within the Cardiac ICU setting. After spending years as an ICU nurse, Virginia realized her true passion was in Functional Medicine and Primary Care. In 2020 Virginia completed a certification to become a Functional Nutritionist and fell in love with utilizing Functional Medicine as a modality for health and healing. She then completed her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and went on to complete all advanced practice modules from the Institute of Functional Medicine. She is currently working on becoming a certified medical provider from the Institute of Functional Medicine.
Prior to being a medical provider at Hope for Healing Virginia and her family were patients as they worked towards recovery from CIRS, Lyme, and other co-infections. She has experienced first-hand the transformational benefits that functional medicine has to offer for CIRS, Lyme, and PANS/PANDAS. After having her own personal experiences with these health conditions, Virginia feels honored to assist other families on their journey to recovery and optimal health at Hope for Healing.
When Virginia is not at work she enjoys spending time with her husband, two small boys, and her pug Eva. During baseball season you can often find her at the baseball fields watching her youngest son play while her husband coaches the little league team. Outside of baseball she enjoys reading, going for hikes with her family, and spending any time in nature!
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