About SCCIM
South Carolina Center for Integrative Medicine exists as an option for patients that want a different health care experience. We wanted a practice that we would feel safe taking our children to, and we commit to caring for you just as we would for our own families.
We believe in the body's innate ability to heal itself. The body was not designed to be sick, and when it is, the only way to get it back on track is to correct the underlying issue. Our practitioners are trained to determine and address the root cause of your symptoms. We are not simply here to give you a pill to fix your ailment, we are here to figure out why you are not feeling well and determine a plan to get you to where you want to be. Our appointments allow for more time than most are used to because we want to work with you to figure out how we can reach your health goals.
We’re here to empower you to take control of your health. We will be by your side the whole time guiding you through this process. It is our joy to help you be the best possible version of yourself!
Our Story
Our Practitioners
“We're here to empower you to take control of your health.”
Kimberly Shirk,
PA-C
Kimberly Shirk graduated from Saint Francis University in 2008 with her master’s in Physician Assistant Sciences. Since graduating she has worked in several areas of medicine including ENT, pediatric urgent care, and functional medicine.
Kim’s journey with functional medicine began just after her first child was born in 2009. She experienced the difference of functional medicine firsthand during her second pregnancy and dove into the field. She has been a provider at SCCIM since the clinic opened in 2016. Kim feels privileged to have had amazing supervising doctors and mentors who have poured into her over the years and helped her become the provider she is today. She is an advocate for medical freedom, nutrition as medicine, and has a special interest in helping children with PANS/PANDAS. She has five children of her own and enjoys camping with her family on the weekends. Kim has loved serving the greater Columbia area and is looking forward to many more years here.
Mary Elaine Boswell,
CPNP-PC
Mary Elaine “Lainie” Boswell (formerly Mary Elaine Hyman) grew up at the beach in Jacksonville, Florida, where she believes her love of natural medicine began; there are few issues that a little salt air cannot help relieve.
Mary Elaine went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion from the University of Georgia. Shortly after, she attended an RN/MSN graduate program at Vanderbilt University, ultimately earning her master’s degree in Pediatric Primary Care.
Mary Elaine started her career in 2017 and quickly discovered that the traditional medical system did not allot the time or resources to address many root causes of disease and discomfort. Dozens of children she worked with were experiencing chronic issues that were often bandaged with a prescription rather than corrected. This never sat well with Mary Elaine. Simultaneously, she was experiencing health concerns of her own, which led her to explore functional medicine for herself. She knew this was the missing piece to her career in pediatrics and preventative medicine.
Mary Elaine moved across the country with her husband, Bo, who is an officer in the U.S. Air Force. When his career brought them to Columbia in January 2020, she was determined to find a practice that pushed conventional boundaries and fostered her motivation for true disease prevention and holistic wellbeing. She is grateful to have landed at SCCIM, where individualistic care is valued and health means far more than just the absence of disease. She is inspired by each of the families she has met and looks forward to working with many more. She is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of your child’s growth, development, and wellness, as she helps you navigate the world they are growing up in together.
Dr. Ruby Albert,
MD
Meet Dr. Ruby Albert, our esteemed pediatrician specializing in a functional and holistic approach to healthcare. Dr. Albert earned her medical degree from UERMMC before embarking on her journey into the world of medicine. While her initial focus was on traditional pediatric care, it was during her tenure at her previous practice where she began to explore the principles of functional medicine.
Driven by a deep-rooted belief in understanding the root causes of illness and disease, Dr. Albert decided to transition her practice towards a more holistic approach. With 24 years of experience under her belt, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team, combining her traditional medical training with a newfound passion for functional medicine.
When she's not in the office, Dr. Albert finds joy in spending time with her family. She shares her life with her husband Jimmy and their four wonderful daughters: Lilly, Elle, Sophie, and Catie. Family is at the core of everything she does, and she cherishes the moments spent nurturing and supporting her loved ones.
Outside of her medical practice and family life, Dr. Albert finds solace and community within her church, Our Lady of the Lake. She is an active participant in the choir, where she channels her love for music and spirituality through the timeless tradition of Gregorian chant.
Dr. Ruby Albert embodies the epitome of compassionate care, blending her expertise in pediatrics with a holistic approach rooted in the belief of the body's natural healing abilities. With her unwavering dedication to her patients and her community, she continues to make a profound impact on the lives she touches.
Sara Williamson,
CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH
Sara is a dedicated holistic health coach with a profound commitment to well-being and nutrition. Her life revolves around her roles as a wife to retired military service member, Jason, and a devoted mother to her two cherished kiddos, Luke and Aslynn. As a tight-knit family unit, they share a deep appreciation for the great outdoors, frequently engaging in activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and traveling.
Sara's unwavering passion for nutrition and wellness stems from her personal journey of transformation. Through diligent lifestyle improvements, she has witnessed remarkable positive changes in her own life, which continue to inspire her holistic approach to health.
Originally hailing from Nashville, TN, Sara embarked on her professional journey in the realm of medicine as a paramedic. Her early career was marked by a genuine sense of fulfillment derived from serving her community and offering unwavering support to her patients during their most challenging moments. Her time in emergency medical services (EMS) provided her with invaluable experience that she now draws upon in her capacity as a health coach, enabling her to provide empathetic and comprehensive care.
Sara's path led her to relocate to Columbia due to her husband's military service, a move that would ultimately solidify her connection to the area. The profound love for Columbia and its surroundings prompted Sara and her family to settle there permanently following her husband's retirement.
The pivotal turning point in Sara's journey arrived when she was confronted with her own health struggles, leading to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Disheartened by the limitations of conventional medicine and the feeling of being unheard during her doctor visits, she sought an alternative path. Declining pharmaceutical interventions for a condition without a definitive diagnosis at the time, she discovered the South Carolina Center for Integrative Medicine (SCCIM). Here, she embraced holistic practices, effecting transformative change through dietary adjustments, mindful movement, and targeted supplements that facilitated her body's natural healing processes. Sara's triumphant journey has ignited an unshakable zeal to guide others on a similar path - empowering them to attain equilibrium in both their lives and bodies, harnessing the healing potential of nourishing foods.
In the words of Hippocrates, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." Sara embodies this ethos, channeling her passion, knowledge, and personal experience to steer individuals towards a harmonious and empowered existence through holistic health practices.
Connect with Sara to embark on your journey towards holistic wellness, where nourishment and balance converge to foster lasting vitality and vitality.
“We’ll help guide you on your individual healthcare journey in a family oriented culture.”
