By SCOTT TRUDEAU
Special to the Western News
When Dr. Jese Wiens opened Rise Wellness Centre her goal was to open a welcoming, healing space where people could access caring, professional care and medicine.
Wiens was recognized by Penticton Western News readers as the New Business of the Year at the Best of the South Okanagan awards held on June 14, an accolade she said was a big honour.
Wiens (Bsc., ND) said she wants to help people feel their best.
“Being recognized with this award means that I have achieved that goal,” she said.
After being in practice in Penticton for 10 years she wanted to make her dream of opening her own clinic a reality so she developed a business plan, found the perfect location, recruited a top-notch team of professionals and created the perfect office space.
The clinic includes Wiens and Dr. Melissa Klatt. Together they provide clients advice and treatment relating to nutrition, supplementation, herbals, acupuncture, homeopathy and lifestyle counseling.
“In addition, I offer Bowen Therapy for pain, which is gentle alignment work,” she said. “We treat a lot of digestive issues, allergies, hormone imbalances, chronic pain, skin problems and really any chronic disease.”
They have access to specialized testing such as food allergy panels, stool tests and complete hormone panel, along with Pap exams.
Also working out of the centre are Myia Sparreboom, Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN), who focuses on allergies and autoimmune issues and Marian Douglas, Certified BodyTalk Practitioner (CBT), who can release stress and restore communication within the body.
“Our success lies in our ability to help people deal with the causes of their illnesses,” said Wiens. “We believe in treating the body holistically and go beyond just symptomatic treatments. People get their energy back, sleep well, boost metabolism, reduce stress and resolve their health concerns.”
Most of their business comes from direct referrals from existing patients.
“At Rise Wellness Centre, I also focused on having a visible location with plenty of parking, creating online scheduling and setting up direct billing to extended benefits,” she said. “We want to make it as easy as possible to get in and get on the road to healing.”
Wiens was raised in Kelowna, completed her Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology and Genetics at UBC in Vancouver. She received her Naturopathic Medicine Degree in New Westminster at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in 2007 and following 10 years there, she set her sights on returning to the Okanagan to settle down. After moving to Summerland with her husband, they bought a house and started a family.
“I chose Penticton at the time as there was a great opportunity for a natuopathic doctor at a wellness centre and I wanted to be in a small community,” she said.
At her clinic she focuses on individualized medicine and on putting together a tailored treatment plan for each patient. Every new patient undergoes a thorough physical exam and some have commented on the hands-on care they receive.
Wiens said she loves being a naturopathic doctor, as it involves a blend of intelligence, compassion, curiosity, problem-solving ability and intuition.
For more information visit www.risewellnesscentre.ca.
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