Dr. Elena Ivanina is a triple board-certified gastroenterologist with expertise in Gastroenterology, Preventive Medicine & Public Health, and Obesity Medicine. She completed advanced training in functional medicine at the Institute for Functional Medicine and specializes in integrative approaches to gut health. Dr. Ivanina combines her medical expertise with a holistic philosophy, using food as medicine and personalized treatment plans to address the root causes of conditions like SIBO, IBS, and chronic digestive issues for lasting healing and wellness.
Dr. Elena Ivanina
Katie Morton, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Katie Morton, DNP, APRN, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in integrative gastrointestinal health. Katie earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with summa cum laude honors from Fairfield University. Her clinical training included hands-on experience at Yale New Haven Health Digestive Diseases Clinic, where she developed extensive skills in managing complex gastrointestinal conditions.
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Before joining the Center for Integrative Gut Health, Katie offers years of diverse healthcare experience, including nursing roles at NYU Langone Health, Connecticut Children’s Gastroenterology Infusion, and case management. Her professional journey also includes advanced training through the Institute of Functional Medicine and the American Academy of Lifestyle Medicine.
Passionate about root-cause resolution medicine, Katie is dedicated to uncovering and addressing the underlying causes of gastrointestinal issues, moving beyond temporary fixes to achieve long-term health improvements. Her medical approach, refined through direct mentorship from Dr. Elena Ivanina, integrates evidence-based practices with holistic care to transform patients’ digestive health and quality of life. This includes leveraging cutting-edge microbiome stool testing and advanced protocols. Her clinical expertise includes: SIBO, SIFO, IBS, constipation, colon cancer prevention, GERD, NAFLD, diverticulosis, leaky gut, weight loss, as well as gut microbiome optimization.
Outside of her professional life, Katie enjoys exploring the latest in wellness and lifestyle medicine, continuously seeking ways to enhance her practice and personal growth. She is committed to working closely with patients to achieve balanced gut microbiome health and overall wellness through a personalized, comprehensive approach.
Carolyn Astrup, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Carolyn Astrup is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in integrative medicine, with a particular focus on the intersection of gut health and systemic balance. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University, where she developed a strong clinical foundation across primary care and specialty medicine.
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Carolyn began her career as a pediatric emergency room nurse, where years of high-acuity care taught her that true health is built in the daily rhythms. She went on to gain extensive experience in complex GI and specialty care through her NP Residency at the Nashville VA, and later became certified in Pediatric Integrative Medicine. She has experience practicing in an integrative primary care setting, where she worked with patients navigating complex and chronic health concerns through a root-cause lens. These experiences deepened her understanding of how much chronic disease and systemic imbalance finds its roots in the gut.
She has found that patients with unexplained or poorly treated symptoms often hold the most important clinical puzzles – and she meets those challenges with curious questions, intentional testing, and a commitment to expanding her knowledge every day.
Outside of the clinic, Carolyn lives her integrative medicine values as fully as she practices them. In 2022 she completed a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, and has continued exploring trails across the US and internationally ever since. You’ll also find her experimenting with fermentation in her kitchen, grounding herself in the pottery studio or on her yoga mat. Her lived experience of the connection between movement, nourishment, and gut health in day to day life informs her comprehensive and integrative approach in the clinic.
Karoline Morton, Registered Nurse
Karoline is a Registered Nurse at the Center for Integrative Gut Health. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fairfield University and has a diverse clinical background in Labor and Delivery and Fertility Nursing. Her passion for patient-centered, holistic care ultimately led her to integrative health, where she now specializes in gastroenterology with a focus on root-cause healing and whole-body wellness.
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Karoline is especially passionate about gut health and its powerful influence on every aspect of well-being—from digestion and immunity to mood, energy, and hormonal balance. She believes the gut is not only central to physical health but also deeply connected to how we feel mentally and emotionally. Her clinical practice is rooted in the understanding that lasting healing happens when we look at the whole person, and she is devoted to helping patients feel their best. She works closely with patients and our providers to support them in achieving their most optimal state of health, drawing on the principles of integrative medicine, lifestyle shifts, and compassionate care.
Outside of her clinical role, Karoline finds joy in sourcing healthy, seasonal foods from local farms and experimenting with nutrient-dense, healing recipes. She prioritizes movement that feels intuitive and empowering—whether it’s a hot yoga class, strength training, a walk with her dog, or spending time in nature. She values slowing down, embracing the simple pleasures of life, and practicing mindfulness in daily routines. Karoline is continuously inspired by how food, movement, rest, and connection all play essential roles in gut health—and she is passionate about guiding our patients toward a life of balance and sustainable wellness.
Lizz Roberts
Health Coach
Lizz Roberts is a passionate health and wellness coach and graduate of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. With a strong focus on gut health, she empowers clients to achieve optimal wellness through personalized strategies that enhance their overall well-being. By integrating her knowledge in nutrition and lifestyle changes, she helps guide individuals to feel their best, both physically and mentally. Her warm and approachable style inspires lasting transformation, making wellness accessible and achievable.
Liza Hayes
Clinical Director
Liza Hayes is the Clinical Director at the Center for Integrative Gut Health. With an extensive background in wellness science and alternative/functional medicine, Liza oversees the strategic and operational aspects of the center’s holistic gut health practice.
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Liza pursued a Bachelor of Science in Wellness and Alternative Medicine. Following that, she got her Functional Medicine health coaching certification through the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy which is affiliated with IFM. She is dedicated to advancing her field through ongoing education and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Nutrition at the University of Bridgeport. She has a passion for all things gut health and is well-versed and knowledgeable on many gut-related subjects, but she is particularly passionate about SIBO and the Low Fodmap diet.
When Liza is not working, you can find her outside with her husband and dog, Olive. If she is not outside, she is in the kitchen whipping up fun and creative gluten and dairy-free meals! Liza is committed to advancing the center’s mission and helping individuals achieve a balanced and fulfilling life.
Abby Lee
Patient Care Coordinator
Abby is the Patient Care Coordinator at The Center for Integrative Gut Health, where she combines her passion for holistic health with a personal commitment to supporting patients through their wellness journeys. Her interest in integrative medicine grew from her own personal health journey, which has provided her with invaluable insight into the importance of a compassionate, individualized approach to care. Her firsthand experience allows her to bring an immense amount of empathy, along with a wealth of knowledge to her role. If you’ve heard of a specific healing modality, Abby most likely has experience with it! Abby’s fascination with holistic living was developed through some of her earliest memories; like making homemade hummus with her mom, growing her own vegetables, and feeling a profound connection to nature. In her free time, you can find Abby in her silversmithing studio blasting music and creating jewelry!
Christina Tardi
Registered Nurse
Christina is a registered nurse and graduate of American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. With a background in labor and delivery nursing.
Her passion for functional health grew from her own personal experiences with fertility challenges, as well as from watching people she loves deeply navigate significant mental health struggles. These experiences shaped the way she views health and strengthened her belief that there is often more beneath the surface than what we initially see.
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Christina believes that the body is interconnected and that symptoms can sometimes be the result of underlying imbalances or root causes that deserve to be explored. Rather than focusing solely on treating a symptom, she is passionate about understanding the bigger picture.
Outside of nursing, Christina loves spending time with her family and, most of all, being a mom to her twin daughters. She also has a a passion for photography, which allows her to capture the genuine, meaningful moments of life that so often pass by too quickly. At the heart of her work is a genuine desire to help people feel their best.
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