Dr. Linder is board certified in functional medicine through the Institute for Functional Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians, holding the Functional Medicine Certified Professional, Medical (FMCP-M) credential. Awarded in 2025 after completion of IFM's full clinical curriculum and certification examination, this credential recognizes physicians who have demonstrated advanced competency in applying functional medicine to patient care, identifying root causes of illness and creating personalized, systems-based treatment plans. Fewer than a handful of providers on Colorado's Western Slope hold IFM certification.Dr. Linder is board certified in functional medicine through the Institute for Functional Medicine, holding the Functional Medicine Certified Professional – Medical (FMCP-M) credential. Awarded in 2025 after completion of IFM's full clinical curriculum and certification examination, this credential recognizes physicians who have demonstrated advanced competency in applying functional medicine to patient care — identifying root causes of illness and creating personalized, systems-based treatment plans. Fewer than a handful of providers on Colorado's Western Slope hold IFM certification.

‍

Education

Dr. Linder earned her Doctor of Medicine from Penn State University College of Medicine and her Bachelor of Arts from Franklin & Marshall College. She graduated summa cum laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. Her academic honors include the Glasgow-Rubin Student Academic Achievement Award and the Nurick Medical Achievement Award. She also received the Family Medicine Award.

‍

Penn State University College of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine

• Alpha Omega Alpha
• Glasgow-Rubin Student Academic Achievement Award
• Nurick Medical Achievement Award

‍

Franklin & Marshall College
Bachelor of Arts

• Summa Cum Laude
• Phi Beta Kappa

‍

Postgraduate Education

Swedish Family Medicine Cherry Hill

• Area of Concentration in Integrative Medicine
• Area of Concentration in International Medicine

‍

Local Experience

For the last 13 years, Heather has been practicing medicine in San Miguel County and is aware of the health care needs of our area. She realizes that insurance coverage does not always mean affordable care. She initially worked for several years at Telluride Medical Center, and then served as Chief Medical Officer at the Uncompahgre Medical Center (UMC) for 5 years. While at UMC, she has worked hard to improve the quality of the care provided. In 2019, UMC received the HRSA Health Center Quality Gold Award for the top 10% in clinical performance for all community health centers in the nation.For the last seven years, Heather has been practicing medicine in San Miguel County and is aware of the health care needs or our area.  She realizes that insurance coverage does not always mean affordable care.  She initially worked for several years at Telluride Medical Center, and then served as Chief Medical Officer at the Uncompahgre Medical Center (UMC) for the last 5 years. While at UMC, she has worked hard to improve the quality of the care provided.  In 2019, UMC received the HRSA Health Center Quality Gold Award for the top 10% in clinical performance for all community health centers in the nation.

‍

Why DPC?

Heather Linder, MD transitioned to the direct primary care model in order to have more time to focus on her patients and to practice more functional medicine. She enjoys getting to know her patients and trying to find the root cause of the problem. Heather practices more personalized medicine with a focus on nutrition, exercise, and mind-body medicine. She enjoys full-scope family medicine, from pediatrics to women's health to geriatrics. She enjoys spending more time with patients, rather than on administrative tasks. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, running, skiing, and swimming.