Discover the you you’ve been searching for, at Pura Vida Wellness
By Patricia Nugent
United by a shared passion for transformation and wellness, the team of healthcare practitioners at Pura Vida Wellness is keeping up with its growth as it nears its first anniversary by more than doubling its medical staff.
This is a place where your well-being is not just a destination but is also a continuous and uplifting journey based on one-on-one tailored treatment plans. Wellness and beauty services include the medical weight loss program (semaglutide and tirzepatide injections, and other oral agents), aesthetic treatments (Botox, Dysport, Sculptra, Kybella, and Dermal Fillers), as well as overall wellness (IV vitamin infusions and intramuscular injections).
“With all of our treatments, we see wellness as the possibility of transformation, promoting each person’s unique health, beauty and overall well-being,” says Ashley Follett. “We’re dedicated to nurturing, guiding and celebrating every success.”
The seasoned medical staff includes Medical Director of Aesthetics and Wellness Dr. Andrew Brobbey; Kelly Siegel APRN, CNP; Rachel Askew APRN, CNP; Sarah Umholtz, RN; Ashley Follett, LPN; Kim Ward, CMA; RN’s Krysta Tongel, Laura Groth, Jocelyn Mariano, and Mary Metsch; Mandy Baker, Esthetician; Nicole Principe, Secretary; Erin Weigel, Social Media and Marketing; and Debbie Lombardo, Business Administrator, Marketing, and Public Relations.
“I’d say if there was one feeling clients use when describing us, it’s one of welcome and comfort,” Ashley says. “They are often nervous when they first come here, and we take the time to get to know them and reassure them we’ll be with them through every step of their journey. We treat people like family. No matter how big we grow, that will never change.”
New Meds for Shedding Pounds
Meet husband and wife Angelo and Jamie, who have lost a combined total of 160 pounds through their Pura Vida journey.
Jamie says that when she began here, she was at rock bottom.
“I was the heaviest I had ever been and was feeling very depressed and hopeless,” she says. “At that point, I was thinking about surgically fixing the problem with gastric bypass surgery. In my life, I had tried literally every diet plan. Of course, when I started all of these diets, I went in with a wonderful positive attitude, lost some weight and slowly all the weight would come back and sometimes with additional weight. The yo-yo dieting really had negative side effects in every aspect of my life, mentally and physically.”
She says the women in the Pura Vida Wellness office really connected with her story and genuinely wanted to help her reach her goals. Jamie started with Lipotropic injections, and was seeing some results, but decided to begin semaglutide injections for even more results.
“Instantly I started seeing huge results from the medication,” she says. “I started looking forward to my monthly appointments and weigh-ins. The staff made me feel amazing every visit. They were so proud of me and celebrated all of my milestones like they were their own.”
Currently at a 100-pound loss, Jamie is about 40 pounds from her goal weight, and looks forward to working with the staff at Pura Vida Wellness to keep it off.
Angelo admits he was skeptical at first, being someone who does not like going to doctors.
After Jamie had lost 20 pounds and was looking and feeling wonderful and hopeful, he decided to join her.
“Instantly the staff made me feel at ease,” he says. “They were warm and optimistic about helping me reach my goals. They offered many different options for me to try. I felt like they were concerned with my complete health. They asked all the right questions and had all the answers I needed to start using GLP-1 medication.”
Now Angelo has lost 60 pounds, which has him at an all-time low since he’s been an adult.
“All of the knee and back pain I previously had is gone,” he says. “I feel younger and have more energy for the activities I once avoided.”
Sarah explains these FDA-approved injections mimic the hormones released by the gastrointestinal tract in response to eating. These hormones send signals to the brain enabling a person to become full sooner, thereby eliminating the problem of overeating. In addition, the medication decreases food cravings and increases the amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas to allow proper management of carbohydrates consumed. Our clients are losing an average of 20% of their body weight.”
Making Weight Loss Life-Long
The key to what makes the program so successful is education. Certified Nurse Practitioner Kelly Siegel works with people to adopt healthy behaviors including portion control and a nutrient-dense diet and exercise plan that will enable them to keep the weight off for the rest of their lives.
No matter the treatment, at Pura Vida Wellness, each patient’s success is the practice’s success.
“A few weeks ago, a patient came in for an appointment and when we took her weight she was so happy she lost weight she started sobbing,” Debbie says. “It was so touching, within a minute several of us in the hallway were also tearful and went into her room to give her a well-deserved hug. Giving our clients a new lease on life is so rewarding.”
Refreshing Your Appearance
When it comes to enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the face and neck, as well as overall health of the skin, the staff at Pura Vida Wellness are masters at creating a natural-looking appearance through non-invasive treatments.
“We can achieve significant enhancement through sculpting the face, smoothing and reducing lines and wrinkles, plumping lips and restoring volume,” says Sarah Umholtz.
Meet Ashley. As a busy 30-something mom hoping to regain confidence and health after her last pregnancy, she went through the weight loss program and aesthetic treatments at Pura Vida Wellness.
“From the moment I walked through the doors of Pura Vida Wellness, I knew I had found a special place where magic happens,” she says. “The warm and welcoming staff immediately made me feel at home and at ease. Their unmatched professionalism and extensive knowledge in the beauty and wellness fields have earned my utmost trust and respect.”
After she lost 40 pounds, Ashley furthered her mommy makeover.
“Thanks to Botox, Dysport and even a subtle enhancement to my top lip, the nurse created a balanced and refreshed appearance,” she says. “I wholeheartedly recommend Pura Vida Wellness to anyone looking for a compassionate, knowledgeable and professional wellness team. Their comprehensive approach to health, beauty and confidence-building has truly transformed my life.”
To take patients’ skincare to the next level, the team at Pura Vida Wellness offer two award winning medical grade products for the skin. Our skincare line, skinbetter Science, which includes creams, serums, and Alpha Ret products, and Colorscience, our line of SPF mineral makeup to protect and enhance the natural glow of the face.
Pura Vida Wellness is located at 9179 Mentor Avenue, Unit K, in a shopping plaza in Mentor. Through the monthly membership program, people enjoy a discount on services with a flat-rate pricing structure. They can simply call or book online. Call 440-290-0755 or visit our website at PuraVidaWellnessMentor.com.