The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) has announced that new members joining the International Board of Functional Medicine Certification (IBFMC). In September 2025, IFM announced the first-ever certifying board for the functional medicine field established to oversee and set standards for the new Functional Medicine Certification Program. Last year, IFM shared a ninth board position to be filled by a qualified individual who represents consumer interest. In addition, as a standard best practice for governing boards, IBFMC formalized a tenth ex-officio, non-voting member position.

Jim Kendzel, MPH, joins IBFMC as its inaugural public member representative. The public member, required by certification program accreditation standards, is an essential governing role providing an unbiased consumer perspective. This member helps the IBFMC balance its role of protecting the public with its interest in advancing the profession by ensuring certification board actions remain transparent and focused on the safety and needs of those receiving services, rather than only the advancement of practitioners. In this role, Kendzel advocates for the public or consumer interest, brings fresh ideas and perspectives, and encourages patient-oriented positions that help bring additional public accountability and responsiveness to the IBFMC.

Liz Grater, ICE-CCP, IFM director of credentialing, joins the IBFMC as its ex-officio, non-voting member. Led by Grater, IFM’s Credentialing Department implements IBFMC standards and policies and manages the daily operations of the Certification Program. As an ex-officio, non-voting member, Grater works closely with the IBFMC Board Chair and Vice Chair on the work of the IBFMC, serves as a liaison between IBFMC and IFM’s management team, and ensures the execution of the Certification Program.

The IBFMC has the authority and responsibility for oversight of essential certification activities, including maintaining the functional medicine competencies and setting standards for certification eligibility; certification attainment and maintenance of certification; making disciplinary determinations; ensuring the appropriate development, administration and scoring of examinations; and determining qualifications for subject-matter experts who will contribute their clinical expertise to the program, according to IFM.

For more information, visit www.ifm.org/certification.