Caring for the Body, Mind, & Spirit
Meet the CMM Team
At Christian Medical Ministries, our work is made possible by a dedicated team of paid and volunteer professionals who serve with compassion, skill, and a heart for healing.
Together, we provide holistic, faith-based care to those in need throughout our community.
If you are interested in joining us in either capacity, please get in touch by using the link below.
Founder and Executive & Medical Director
Alan Gruning, DO, is our Founder and Executive & Medical Director at CMM.
Dr. Gruning is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, who after 17 years in emergency care, his personal battle with Chronic Fatigue led him to explore Functional Medicine, where he found new ways to bring lasting healing to patients with complex conditions.
Since founding CMM in 2010, Dr. Gruning has combined natural therapies, the Shoemaker Protocol for Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), and a deeply holistic approach to help treat the root causes of illness.
His passion is helping the tired and hurting—those often overlooked or underserved—find true healing for body, mind, and spirit.
He is also the founder of the Christian CIRS Network, author of Prescription for Health, and has spoken at local and national events. He welcomes future opportunities to share his knowledge and experience.
Dr. Gruning believes that faith and medicine work best together, and his life’s work reflects that mission!
Administrative Director
Anna Hogan, BS
Anna serves as our Administrative Director at Christian Medical Ministries, where she oversees clinic operations, administration, and growth.
Certified as a CIRS Coach, Consultant, and Hyperbaric Technician, Anna is deeply passionate about helping those affected by CIRS and is committed to expanding the clinic’s reach and impact.
Her leadership and dedication to patient-centered care are vital in supporting individuals on their healing journey and in achieving lasting wellness.
Clinical Director
Christina Lavallee, RN
Christina has been a Registered Nurse for nearly 20 years and serves as Clinical Director, overseeing daily operations, clinical workflows, and patient care coordination.
She works closely with providers and staff to ensure efficient systems, regulatory compliance, and consistently high standards of patient care across the clinic.
Christina is also a certified CIRS Coach and Consultant through the CIRSx Institute and brings a valuable perspective as a CIRS overcomer herself.
Known as a fierce patient advocate, she combines operational leadership with compassion and empathy, ensuring that both patients and staff are supported while delivering exceptional, patient-centered care.
Lifestyle Counselor
Lillian Easterly-Smith, BCPC
Lillian serves as our clinic’s Lifestyle Counselor.
She is a licensed Pastor and Chaplain with numerous other certifications, including certifications as a Pastoral Counselor, Health and Wellness Coach, and Fitness Instructor.
Lillian counsels and coaches our patients in various ways, including general counseling, prayer counseling, and lifestyle counseling.
Her holistic approach and compassionate guidance help patients navigate their health and wellness journeys, providing support and encouragement every step of the way.
Hyperbaric Technician
Ryan Barker
Ryan, our part-time Hyperbaric Technician, brings a strong commitment to both his education and patient care.
Originally joining the clinic as a volunteer through a service-learning project, Ryan was so inspired by the experience that he returned as an intern and now serves as a key member of our team.
Currently pursuing a pre-professional biology major with aspirations of attending medical school, Ryan is passionate about expanding his knowledge in healthcare and applying it to his future career. We are thrilled to have Ryan continue with us, contributing to the care of our patients while gaining valuable experience in the field.
Marketing Director
Lanita Borngraeber, BS
Lanita serves as our Marketing Director, supporting our mission through her background in mental health advocacy, life coaching, communications, and community outreach — all rooted in her deep faith and passion for encouraging others.
She holds a BS in Psychology with a focus on Clinical Counseling and Biblical Studies from Colorado Christian University.
Lanita plays a key role in growing awareness, building connections with supporters, and sharing the incredible work God is doing through this ministry. She brings a powerful voice for hope and healing into the community!
Grant Specialist
Joshua Pate, MS, PMP
Joshua recently joined Christian Medical Ministries as a Grants Specialist, where he works to expand funding for CIRS treatment and related programs. He has worked in nonprofit communications and development since 2021, bringing experience in grant research, fundraising, and nonprofit program support.
He earned his BA in English with a concentration in Professional Writing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and his MS in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University in 2021. He is also certified in Federal Financial Grants Management.
Joshua moved to Fort Myers in 2023 from North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where he served as Grants Manager for an agency providing crisis services to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
His Christian faith is central to his life, and he strives to live and work in accordance with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. Through his research, grant management, and fundraising efforts, Joshua is committed to helping CMM expand access to care for people affected by CIRS.
Administrative Assistant
Delaney Harris
Delaney is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Florida Gulf Coast University as a pre-med student with plans to attend medical school. Her passion for holistic healthcare and serving others first led her to Christian Medical Ministries as a volunteer before completing a 100-hour internship with the clinic. Through her time working closely with patients and staff, Delaney developed a strong appreciation for the clinic’s mission of providing compassionate, root-cause-focused care to the community.
Now serving as Administrative Assistant, Delaney supports patients through scheduling, communication, intake coordination, and day-to-day administrative operations. She is passionate about creating a welcoming experience for patients and is excited to continue growing within the medical field while serving the mission of Christian Medical Ministries.