Welcome to the Alive and Thriving Healthcare LLC blog!
What's in a name? A rose by any other name would be just as sweet. That's some loosely quoted Shakespeare for you. It's also in the RomCom Must Love Dogs. Regardless, I'm going to try to explain the chosen name of Alive and Thriving Healthcare LLC.
Maybe I should introduce myself... My name is Jennie (not Jenny, Jen, Jenn, Jennifer, Jeannie, Jeanine...). I also answer to Dr. D, Dr. J (I do not have a hook shot), JD, Jennie D. True, I rarely use my last name unless I'm in my hometown where it is pronounced as easily as "Smith". I have started doing patient care in an emergency setting over 20 years ago! Maybe my path wasn't straight, but I learned a lot along the way. I spent 5 years in an ambulance, went to nursing school, spent 5 years as a RN in the emergency department and then became a Nurse Practitioner.
Before I ever took care of a patient, I had this vision: I wanted to get my blood pressure checked where I got a massage. As I started taking care of patients (back when there was not hydraulics on ambulance stretchers, and we had to lift everything) I was frustrated that my health insurance didn't cover massages because that's what my back really needed. Ibuprofen is still one of my BFFs but I always thought what if we could really get and do what we needed to keep us healthy?
Over 15 years ago, I started a website named after what we called our room on our High School Senior Trip. That didn't stick or really fit my vision. About 10 years ago, I tried again with "Healthy and Happy". That was ok, but it really didn't encompass what I was trying to accomplish (and then Walgreens busted out with Happy and Healthy). It's scary and very vulnerable (thanks for the word Brene Brown) to share your vision with someone. This is me explaining why I didn't run a panel to come up with Alive and Thriving Healthcare.
Healthcare according to dictionary.com:
the field concerned with the maintenance or restoration of the health of the body or mind.
any of the procedures or methods employed in this field.
Thriving according to dictionary.com:
prospering or doing well; highly successful
growing or developing vigorously; flourishing
Alive according to dictionary.com:
having life; living; existing; not dead or lifeless.
living
in a state of action; in force or operation; active
full of energy and spirit; lively
having the quality of life; vivid; vibrant
Was it Churchill who said something like we have nothing without our health? I will tell you that nothing humbles a person more than or derails their plans more than losing their good health. When we go to an accountant, we expect them to be able to do our taxes. When we go to our primary healthcare provider (NP, PA, DO, MD), we should be able to count on them to guide us and do their part to keep our wealth... I mean HEALTH. A visit shouldn't feel sterile and rushed. It should be comfortable, warm, inviting and a place where you are inspired and guided to keep and/or achieve your best self. It should be so much more than a blood pressure, prescriptions and we can't see you for another 3 months.
“The best six doctors anywhere—
And no one can deny it—
Are Sunshine, Water, Rest and Air,
Exercise and Diet.
These six will gladly you attend,
If only you are willing,
Your mind they’ll cheer,
Your ills they’ll mend,
“And charge you not one shilling.”
~Nathaniel Hawthorne
Imagine going to a primary care provider who says "tell me something good" and then listens, instead of the forced "how are you". Imagine the same person asking you about your health goals and guides you to saying "I want to be able to walk the park" instead of "I want to lose 20 pounds". What if you could learn healthier habits? Better nutrition? Were supported in adjunct therapies instead of medication being the ONLY option?
Healthcare, by definition, is so much more than what we have become accustomed to. We are much more used to "sick care" than "health care". I am not an accountant who can do your taxes or a realtor that can sell your house... but I can guide you, listen to you and use the latest and greatest evidence-based research to keep you as healthy as possible. (You have to do your part, of course.) Spoiler alert: I'm not the only one!
This greater vision of mine, I am well aware that I cannot accomplish it on my own. It has been humbling how many people have asked to work with me. The beauty of being in the field for so long is I know what characteristics will fit my vision and skills needed. I am flattered by the outpour of interest, but once they find out the greater picture, the uniqueness of what this will be, I'm not sure the interest will still be there or that everyone will fit.
Oooooo but wait until you meet the Medical Director! There is only one person I wanted for this role. She's brilliant. Obviously, I want a strong physician. But this one... she's special. She's kind. She cares. She listens. She's REAL. She is nonjudgmental. She is an animal lover. She believes in western medicine and also adjunct therapies. That people need to know the value of good nutrition but sometimes the soul needs cake. I can't wait for you to meet her!
I am hoping for a physical space opening in November 2022 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Construction is underway! I've already started other parts of this and you can come along for the ride! You can follow aliveandthrivinghealthcarellc on instagram for health/wellness info, updates and lighthearted fun stuff. I resurrected a "LIVE" show (?) that I did during the peak of the pandemic called "You, Me and Coffee". Once a week at 9am I go LIVE in a very casual setting. We have coffee, I drop some health/wellness related info and try to answer questions. Come and join us!
I get so excited sharing everything I want to accomplish and bring to healthcare! It may make me a little wordy and long winded. Hopefully, this gave you a little insight into what Alive and Thriving really means and the Healthcare we want to deliver. Stay tuned! More is coming!
~ Dr. D.
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