Amy Couturier, MD, IBCLC
Finding my way
Up North
When I moved to Michigan for medical school, I had no idea I would be smitten with the mitten. “Up North” for me is being more present and focusing on what really matters most. Raising children is one of the hardest yet rewarding endeavors and I am humbled and honored to be a part of your journey.
Education & Training
Dr. Couturier attended the University of California San Diego and studied Human Biology (BS) and Religious Studies (BA) with a minor in health care.
Before starting medical school she became a teacher with Teach For America for two years in Gilroy, CA.
She attended medical school in Grand Rapids, MI at Michigan State College of Human Medicine and earned her M.D. She married a fellow physician, Spencer Couturier and couples matched at Case Western Reserve University. She trained at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital which consistently ranks as a top children’s hospital across many specialties.
Upon graduating from medical school, she joined Kaiser Permanente in California and practiced as an outpatient pediatrician in the Bay Area for 3 years while holding numerous leadership positions including the immunization consultant for the region.
Breastfeeding Medicine
Dr. Couturier had her first child in the middle of residency and had trouble breastfeeding. She was told to just do formula by family members and often times found it difficult to sustain when going back to work. As a training pediatrician she found it odd that breastfeeding and breast milk is so heavily emphasized in pediatric research but did not feel equipped to help her future patients.
She took it upon herself to learn more about breastfeeding and did a special rotation in residency where she shadowed IBCLCs, went to support groups and did her senior talk on tongue ties. She then had her second child and decided to pursue specific education and get the clinical experience necessary to become an IBCLC.
She wants every mom to feel supported in her practice and includes lactation support as part of her pediatric care.
ADHD
Before becoming a physician, she was a 7th and 8th grade math teacher with Teach for America, a prestigious program that trains young professionals to become teachers in under-served communities. She saw first hand how ADHD was being over diagnosed but also saw many inattentive ADHD kids go unnoticed. In her practice, she tries to get to the root problem before making a diagnosis or prescribing stimulants. She goes above and beyond to help you and your child. Included in your membership, you can get:
ADHD Diagnosis and Management
Yearly academic performance check in
Navigating the IEP or 504 process
Routines/Skills sessions
Consistent communication with teachers or caregivers
Why direct primary care?
Direct primary care is a new but growing nationwide movement that is challenging the current healthcare model. In an insurance based practice, full time primary care doctors care for up to 2000 patients, see 25+ kids in 8 hours and give you with no more than 15 minutes, leaving you frustrated, unheard and possibly in the ER or urgent care more than you need.
In direct care, your doctor works for you, not the insurance company. This leads to aligned incentives to keep you healthy while giving you the access you deserve. Dr. Couturier became a primary care doctor to spend more time with her patients and care for them as a whole person. This model allows her to practice in a creative, personalized way.
She welcomes anyone to reach out to learn more!