Meet our Providers
Kayla Shannon, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Kayla is a board certified Nurse Practitioner at Functional Medicine of Delaware, bringing a compassionate, root-cause focused approach to patient care. Born and raised in Delaware, she is honored to serve the community that shaped her.
Kayla began her nursing career as a bedside nurse, where she built a strong clinical foundation caring for patients with complex and acute medical conditions. That early experience profoundly shaped her purpose as a provider—strengthening her commitment to helping individuals prevent chronic disease, stay out of the hospital, and live long, healthy, and vibrant lives. She later worked at Nemours as a pediatric nurse for 3.5 years, gaining extensive experience in family-centered care and comprehensive health management. Her diverse clinical background allows her to confidently care for patients across the lifespan, and she welcomes the opportunity to work with children, adolescents, and adults.
Kayla earned her undergraduate nursing degrees from Delaware Technical Community College and completed her Master of Science in Nursing at Simmons University, where she focused extensively on pediatrics throughout her clinical training.
To further refine her expertise, Kayla completed advanced training in functional medicine through the Kalish Institute and the Institute for Functional Medicine. She remains committed to ongoing education and continued growth within functional medicine to provide the highest level of personalized, evidence-based care.
At Functional Medicine of Delaware, Kayla partners closely with patients to uncover and address the root causes of illness rather than simply managing symptoms. Her clinical interests include pediatrics, women’s health, stress-related conditions, fatigue, gut health, and preventative care. She believes healthcare should be collaborative and empowering, working alongside each patient to develop individualized plans that support sustainable, long-term wellness. Kayla is especially passionate about helping patients restore balance within the body—recognizing that true health comes from harmony among lifestyle, nutrition, stress management, and physiology.
Known for her attentive and compassionate style, Kayla strives to create a welcoming environment where patients feel heard, supported, and truly understood.
A Personal Note
Outside of the clinic, Kayla enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She loves going to the beach, hosting family dinners at home, taking walks in nature, finding new things to do in the area, and getting lost in a good book. She believes in living the balanced lifestyle she encourages in her patients.
Kayla is proud to be part of the Functional Medicine of Delaware team and looks forward to guiding her patients toward lasting health and vitality.
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Stephanie Ottaviani, MSN, FNP-C
Stephanie is an integral Nurse Practitioner at Functional Medicine of Delaware! She is a proud double graduate of the University of Delaware, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the School of Nursing.
With a strong foundation as a Registered Nurse, Stephanie brings extensive experience across diverse healthcare settings, where she developed a profound understanding of the complexities of health management. Her dedication to patient care and excellence in nursing earned her a nomination for the prestigious DAISY Award, recognizing her exceptional skill and compassion.
To further refine her expertise, Stephanie has completed advanced training in functional medicine through renowned organizations, including the Institute of Functional Medicine, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Kalish Institute, and Rupa University. As a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine, she is actively working toward certification to deepen her impact in this field.
At Functional Medicine of Delaware, Stephanie is committed to collaborating with patients on their wellness journeys. Her approach emphasizes addressing the root causes of health issues rather than just managing symptoms, ensuring care is personalized to meet each patient’s unique needs. Her areas of expertise and clinical interest include Gut Health—specifically SIBO, Parasites, Leaky Gut, and Dysbiosis—where she focuses on restoring balance to the digestive system to support whole-body wellness. Stephanie’s supportive and compassionate style helps individuals feel heard, understood, and empowered to take control of their health.
A Personal Note
Outside of the office, Stephanie practices what she teaches, living a balanced, health-conscious lifestyle. She enjoys exploring nature, experimenting with new recipes, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Stephanie is thrilled to join the Functional Medicine of Delaware team and looks forward to helping her patients achieve long-term health and well-being. Together, she’s ready to work with you toward a healthier future!
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Ashley Allen, APRN, MSN, NP-C, Founder
Ashley Allen is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, as well as the Founder and Clinical Director of her functional medicine practice. In her current role, Ashley focuses on overseeing clinical care, mentoring providers, and guiding the overall treatment philosophy of the practice, while gradually transitioning away from a full-time patient care schedule.
Ashley is deeply committed to a root-cause, functional medicine approach and has built her practice around helping patients with complex, chronic conditions achieve lasting improvements in their health. While she continues to work with select patients, her primary focus is ensuring that every patient within the practice receives high-quality, personalized, and evidence-based care.
The practice specializes in supporting children through adults with a wide range of chronic health concerns, including:
- Migraines and chronic pain (including fibromyalgia)
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Lyme disease
- Autoimmune disorders
- Allergies and gut health issues
- Adrenal and thyroid disorders
- Hormonal imbalances
- Anxiety and depression
Ashley’s approach combines advanced clinical expertise with a systems-based, holistic perspective—empowering both patients and providers to address the root causes of illness and restore optimal function.
She began her educational journey at LaSalle University, where she was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for nursing excellence. She has since pursued extensive post-graduate training in functional medicine through leading institutions, including:
- The Institute of Functional Medicine
- The Kalish Institute of Functional Medicine
- The School of Applied Functional Medicine
- Cogence Immunology
- Psychiatry Redefined
Through her leadership, Ashley has developed a collaborative care model that blends conventional and functional medicine, ensuring patients receive comprehensive and individualized treatment plans.
Outside of her clinical leadership role, Ashley enjoys staying at the forefront of functional medicine research, spending time with her family, and promoting a balanced, health-centered lifestyle.
Dr. Randy J. Smith, DPT directs the Neural Recovery Program powered by the Neubie at Functional Medicine of Delaware. After more than 15 years working inside the traditional medical and physical therapy model, Dr. Smith realized something was missing: patients were being pushed through insurance-driven systems that prioritized their profits and limiting care instead of complete recovery.
He watched too many people suffer from chronic pain, limited mobility, nerve dysfunction, and lingering symptoms—even after months of conventional care. The traditional model simply wasn’t designed to address the root cause or to give patients the time, tools, and attention they truly needed.
That realization sparked a major shift.
Dr. Smith stepped out of the constraints of insurance-based care and joined Functional Medicine of Delaware to build a rehabilitation and performance program unlike anything else in the region. Today, he offers cutting-edge nervous-system–based recovery using the Neubie, making him the first and only Neufit-certified practitioner in Delaware.
His approach blends advanced neuroscience, neuromuscular re-education, and movement science to retrain the nervous system at a level traditional therapy often cannot reach. Patients who have plateaued elsewhere frequently experience breakthroughs, faster healing, and a renewed sense of possibility under his guidance.
Dr. Smith’s mission is simple but powerful:
to give patients an option beyond “good enough,” and to help them achieve the level of recovery and performance they actually deserve.
