Our Interview With Dr. Scott Noorda, DO, IFMCP

Dr. Scott Noorda, DO, IFMP is a board-certified family medicine physician with advanced post-doctoral training from the Institute for Functional Medicine. He is also the founder of Resolve Medical, a telehealth virtual clinic available worldwide.

What motivated you to pursue a career in medicine?

I’ve always been fascinated by human performance, especially as it relates to sports and the brain. Working in a physical therapy office and taking a sports medicine class in high school sparked my interest early on, setting me on a path to understand the body’s resilience, recovery, and potential—and ultimately to pursue a career in medicine.

What do you wish you had known about the medical school application process before you applied?

I wish I had understood just how personalized the process really is. Admissions committees aren’t just looking for test scores—they want to see that you’re well-rounded, resilient, and genuinely passionate about patient care. Building relationships with mentors, gaining hands-on clinical experience early, and pursuing meaningful interests can make a huge difference. Interestingly, being an Eagle Scout became a big talking point in several of my interviews, reminding me that character and service matter just as much as academic accomplishments.

What was the biggest challenge that caught you off guard when you sat down to write the MCAT?

The sheer volume of information was overwhelming. The biggest challenge was learning how to approach the test strategically—focusing more on critical thinking and understanding scientific reasoning than brute-force memorization.

How much work experience did you gain before applying to medical school? What opportunities did you pursue, and what helped you the most?

While I worked throughout high school and college, my clinical exposure was relatively limited—I worked in a physical therapy clinic during high school, volunteered in a hospital critical care unit and ER, did Spanish translation for a few different practices, and shadowed in a family medicine practice as an undergraduate. In hindsight, I wish I’d sought more clinical work experience earlier, but I also came to realize that every job offered valuable lessons. Roles in customer support and sales taught me how to listen, communicate clearly, and build trust—skills that have become foundational to my medical practice.

Did you have any setbacks or rejections during the med school admissions process, and what did you learn from those experiences?

A counselor at my university told me my grades weren’t strong enough for medical school and encouraged me to consider a different path. Instead of discouraging me, that conversation fueled my resolve. I used it as motivation to work harder, focus more intentionally, and prove that I belonged in this field. In the end, it became a pivotal moment for growth.

What led you to specialize in family medicine and then pursue further training in functional medicine? What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue your specialty?

During the first two years of medical school, I was convinced I’d go into neurology or neurosurgery. But it was only during clinical rotations that I discovered how much I valued the long-term relationships and whole-person approach that family medicine provides. I wanted to do more than treat isolated illnesses—I wanted to help people prevent disease and regain health at its root.

After residency, I started looking for additional training because I felt limited by the traditional medical model. The biggest shift came when my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I felt powerless—I had no tools—only medications that didn’t work. That experience inspired me to dive deeply into the research and seek out mentors who were addressing root causes of cognitive decline, focusing on areas like metabolic and hormonal imbalances, sleep disturbances, stress, and toxin exposures.

My advice for anyone pursuing family or functional medicine is this: Stay open-minded and never stop learning. The best patient outcomes happen when you combine a strong foundation in traditional medicine with a deep understanding of nutrition, lifestyle, and the body’s innate ability to heal. Find mentors, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo.

If someone wants to start their own practice, what does that path look like after finishing medical school?

While some physicians go straight into private practice after residency, I didn’t feel confident doing that right away—and I certainly didn’t anticipate starting my own practice when I was going through medical school. Medical school and residency teach you how to care for patients, but not how to run a business.

I had to seek out additional training and support to learn the operational side of medicine—from marketing and patient experience to staffing, technology, and finances. Mentorship was pivotal throughout that process, and I was fortunate to have my wife play a huge role. Her background in business and marketing became an enormous blessing for us, allowing us to build a strong foundation together. We also joined a mastermind group that connected us with other entrepreneurs and gave us the tools and accountability to grow. My path felt bumpy, but looking back I can see God leading us to where He wanted us to be and now it all makes sense.

What advice would you give to someone who’s looking to start their practice today?

Have a clear vision for the kind of care you want to provide, and build your practice around that “why.” Be prepared to wear many hats—doctor, educator, entrepreneur—and surround yourself with a strong team and trusted mentors who can help you navigate the path.

The early days will be challenging, and it takes patience and resilience to build a successful practice. Compared to working for a hospital system, you may have a slower financial ramp-up and more responsibilities to balance. But the reward is worth it. You gain the autonomy to design a practice aligned with your values, to spend the time you want with patients, and to surround yourself with a team that shares your priorities.

While I could have accumulated more in a 401k working for a large system, I would have sacrificed the freedom I have now—to create a schedule that prioritizes my family while my kids are young, to practice medicine in a way that excites and inspires me, and to build a team and culture that reflects those priorities. At the end of the day, that autonomy is worth every challenge. It allows you to create not just a successful and purpose-driven practice but a meaningful, balanced life.

Inspira Advantage is proud to interview experts like Dr. Scott Noorda, DO, IFMP to help future doctors understand the challenges and rewards of a medical career. Learn more about how our experts can help you get into medical school today.