About
Dr. Tyler J. Saunders, DO, is a board-certified internist and certified practitioner through the Institute for Functional Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Florida, after studying biology at Illinois Wesleyan University, where he competed as an NCAA Division III cross country and track athlete. His Internal Medicine residency at Swedish Hospital, now part of Endeavor Health in Chicago, led to a Chief Resident role. He later joined the program as core faculty and founded a Functional Medicine Consultation Service within the health system. Before founding HealthSpan Chicago, he also trained as a Research Technologist at the Johns Hopkins Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center. That research connection carries personal weight: his grandfather, Joseph C. Monastra, died of Stage IV pancreatic cancer when Dr. Saunders was eleven years old. His family founded the Joseph C. Monastra Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research in his memory, and the experience shaped Dr. Saunders's path toward prevention-focused medicine.
After eight years within the Endeavor Health system, Dr. Saunders built HealthSpan Chicago to practice a fundamentally different kind of medicine. He is passionate about metabolic health, cardiovascular risk reduction, hormonal optimization, sleep, and nutrition. His clinical approach draws on osteopathic training, functional medicine, and advanced diagnostics to build individualized 30-year health roadmaps for each patient. He hosts the podcast "Beyond Normal" and delivers community lectures and corporate wellness presentations across the Chicago area. CBS Chicago, WGN Chicago, Food and Wine Magazine, Veranda Magazine, and Peloton have all featured his work.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Illinois Wesleyan University, Biology; NCAA Division III cross country and track athlete
Medical School
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, Florida
Residency
Internal Medicine, Swedish Hospital — Endeavor Health, Chicago
Additional Training
Research Technologist, Johns Hopkins Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center; Certified Practitioner, Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM); Former Core Faculty, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Endeavor Health
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Saunders right for?
Dr. Saunders works well with adults who want to get ahead of chronic disease rather than react to it. Patients managing or seeking to prevent conditions like insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, or cardiovascular risk benefit from his advanced diagnostic approach. He also serves patients with thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, sleep disorders, and cognitive concerns. Adults who want a physician to build a long-term health strategy alongside them, not just address what is acutely wrong, will find his model a strong fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Saunders treats a wide range of metabolic and chronic conditions in adults. These include insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, obesity, fatigue, cognitive decline, sleep disorders, chronic inflammation, and metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease. His preventive focus means he often identifies and addresses these conditions well before standard lab panels would flag them.
Yes. Dr. Saunders holds board certification in Internal Medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine. He also holds certification as a practitioner through the Institute for Functional Medicine, which requires additional training beyond standard medical education.
Dr. Saunders earned his DO from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Florida. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Swedish Hospital, now Endeavor Health, in Chicago, where he served as Chief Resident. He later joined the program as core faculty and also trained as a Research Technologist at the Johns Hopkins Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center.
Dr. Saunders combines internal medicine, functional medicine, and osteopathic principles to identify root causes rather than just manage symptoms. He uses advanced biomarker testing, body composition analysis, and cardiovascular performance testing to build a detailed picture of each patient's health trajectory. From there, he creates a personalized health roadmap focused on the next 30 years, not just the next visit.
Yes. Longevity medicine is the clinical core of his practice. Dr. Saunders focuses on the testing, interventions, and lifestyle strategies most strongly linked to long-term health and quality of life. His work spans metabolic health, hormonal optimization, cardiovascular risk, sleep, and nutrition.
Dr. Saunders sees adults who want a proactive, prevention-oriented approach to their health. His patients range from those managing existing chronic conditions to high-functioning adults who want to optimize performance and reduce long-term disease risk. He serves the greater Chicago and North Shore area from his Deerfield practice.
Yes. Dr. Saunders offers Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy as part of the HealthSpan Chicago membership. Members receive six OMT sessions per year at a 25% discount. OMT draws on his osteopathic training and complements the broader preventive and functional medicine approach at the practice.
Yes. Dr. Saunders has appeared on CBS Chicago and WGN Chicago. His work has also been featured in Food and Wine Magazine, Veranda Magazine, and Peloton. He hosts the podcast "Beyond Normal," which covers longevity, metabolic health, blood pressure, sleep, and preventive medicine.
Doctor profile last updated August 16, 2026