New Year Announcements
Dr. Kristie Gering • January 31, 2023
New Year’s Greetings!
Dear Spero Patients,
Looking back on 2022 fills me with amazement and joy for what the Lord has done for Spero Wellness Clinic. As you know, this past year we were given the opportunity to extend our reach with additional providers and with more space on the first floor. We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for encouraging us to take another leap of faith with the expansion, and for being patient with us in the transition. We still have kinks to work out, but believe that 2023 will be a great year of opportunity to be of service to you and to our community.
Gratefully yours,
Kristie Gering MD
and the Spero Wellness Team
Prices
We’ll get the tough part over with first. As you can imagine, expansion aside, like with everyone else, the cost of doing business has gone up. While it pains us to do so, we will need to make the following amendments to our fee schedule:
Hourly Provider Fee:
$390/hour (previously it was $345/hr)
Cancellations and No Shows
- We understand that things come up and emergencies happen. However, as you are aware, our visit slots are limited. If at all possible, please let us know if you need to cancel your appointment 3 business days in advance so we can offer your time slot to someone on the wait list. If it is a repeat problem, or if you fail to show up for your visit without reasonable explanation, we reserve the right to charge for the unused time slot.
Paperwork, Portal and Phone Call Fee:
- Great News - as of January 2023, we have over 3900 patients on our books!
- The Challenge - as you can imagine, phone calls, portal questions, and form/paperwork have become a challenge for our small clinic to handle. Our dilemma is how to provide you with the best care possible and answer questions when they arise, yet pay for the time and resources it that takes to do so.
- Our Request - please try your best to keep questions organized and to the point
- Our Commitment - will attempt to provide that service in as efficiently as possible
- Fee for Service - we are happy to address your questions, concerns, paperwork needs without charge for the first 5 minutes, after which we will begin to bill for time at a rate of $10 for each additional 5 minute increment
- If questions are just too complicated to answer in a brief portal message or phone call, our staff will help you set up an in-person or virtual visit with a provider to discuss them
Lab Reviews:
- Specialty labs - examples include GI MAP, NutrEval, Labrix Hormone Panel, Dutch Test, Heavy Metals Test, LPP, Food Sensitivity Tests, Methylation Panel, etc
- As a rule, these still require a visit to go through the results, as they are complex and require detailed explanation and creation of in-depth plans to address the findings
- Standard labs - examples are complete blood count (CBC), complete metabolic panel (CMP), HgA1c, lipid panel, CRP, thyroid panel etc.
- Standard labs drawn at our clinic are offered to you at a direct-pay discount price (generally 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of regular clinics)
- If you prefer to have labs drawn elsewhere for convenience or so they can be run through insurance, we are happy to send order to the facility of your choice. However, it is your responsibility to make sure we get those lab results.
- We will attempt to review those labs without added fee, but if they are voluminous or complex, please understand that we may request payment for additional time spent managing the results, or may need to set up an in-person, zoom or phone visit to discuss the results in more detail.
Lab Scheduling
All labs need to be scheduled with the front desk with specifics on which labs are needed. If you add to the lab list when you arrive, we do our best to accommodate your requests. However, please understand that we may need to have you schedule an additional time slot on a different day depending on processing requirements.
Our Staff
We have been blessed with the addition of many new staff in 2022. We’d like to introduce you to them, as well as acknowledge our foundational staff who have been with us for years.
Reception and Support Staff:
- Tracy B - If you have been with Spero for any length of time, you are likely to recognize Tracy’s familiar face and voice. She has been with us since 2018 and is our trusted anchor at the reception desk. Tracy is a huge patient advocate and we are so grateful to have her expertise and skills.
- Tracy J - This Tracy also works at the reception desk at times, however more often she is working behind the scene, to help ensure that your paperwork and medical record get into our electronic medical records. She does a beautiful job with this and it is critical to our ability to deliver care.
- Denise - After retiring as optometrist at Northwoods Optical, Denise was looking for something to keep her mind and body busy. Lucky for us, she has a passion for biohacking and tremendous knowledge of supplements! We are so blessed to have her working with us as receptionist and supplement manager.
- Alyssa - She is a fresh new face at our reception desk, and has already proven herself to be helpful and resourceful. Before moving here, Alyssa worked as a massage therapist and practiced visceral manipulation, which is a skillset that may come in handy!
- Christine - Christine, who joined us in 2022, has stepped back a bit to explore another passion of hers, working with Operation Christmas Child. However, we are very grateful that she plans to return to fill in the gaps as needed when others are ill or on vacation.
- Cheryl -
There are days or hours where you may find Cheryl working at the reception desk, but her great gift to us is her management skills, and love for functional medicine. She will be working to help improve organizational efficiency. In addition, she is nearing the 1/2-way point of her certification at the Functional Medicine Health Coaching Academy and will be adding health coaching to her role in 2023!
Medical Assistants and Nursing:
- Brooke - Brooke joined our team spring 2022 as a talented medical assistant, but will be moving on to another opportunity in February 2023. We want to take this opportunity to wish her much success and many blessings in this next endeavor!
- Cacee - Cacee is a rockstar as a medical assistant and in the lab. She started with us spring 2022, but you’d think it’s been years. Her genuine smile and upbeat, helpful attitude has made her a resource that both patients and staff seek out.
- Deb - Deb is an LPN working with us part-time as medical assistant. She comes to us with lots of experience and has a genuine heart for helping. Little know fact is that Deb also has a green thumb, designed our greenery in the “cafe” space and continues to help keep them alive and healthy.
- Valerie - As our 2nd longest employee, Valerie RN is the anchor for our clinical team since 2018. She can draw blood, order supplies, room patients, triage questions. And she has taken the lead role for our IV services. Valerie’s enthusiasm is contagious and genuine care for patients is obvious. Bonus - after working together so long, she often knows what Dr. Kristie will say before it’s said!
- Kayla - Kayla RN joined our team in 2022 and has become indispensable in the IV room. She has great organizational skills and we are grateful to have her help keeping things neat & tidy. She is also an amazing asset in helping to keep lab results flowing to the providers.
- Melissa - Melissa RN joined our team part-time just when we needed some help running IVs, answer phone calls and doing dozens of things that our nurses do. She is a joy to have around and helps to fill in the gaps when needed. In addition to helping us out, she also plays an important leadership role for Mary Kay and also the Red House of Hope.
Providers:
- Dr. Kristie - She is a board-certified medical doctor who began her career in family medicine in 1999 and loved practicing the full complement of medicine from babies to geriatrics. She was led to functional medicine after realizing that many patients suffered from chronic conditions that traditional medicine was not able to help. She founded Spero Wellness Clinic in January 2017 so she could provide more holistic care. Dr. Kristie is also certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM).
- Dr. Robyn - Robyn is a board-certified medical doctor with years of experience in the full range of family medicine. She was called to study functional medicine in 2021. Dr. Robyn joined Spero in January 2022 and has been a blessing to our clinic. She completed the courses required by IFM and is now just trying to find time to finish the certification test while working at Spero 2 days a week and home-schooling her kids the other three.
- Kylee NP - Kylee is a talented nurse practitioner trained in all things family medicine. She sees patients of all ages from infancy to geriatrics. She primarily does “regular family medicine” with a holistic flare, but is learning more and more about functional approach to healthcare. She joined us part-time spring 2022 and we are blessed that she had been able to increase to full time
- Ben NP - Ben is a nurse practitioner with broad experience in oncology, endocrinology and internal medicine. He has a passion for diet, exercise and lifestyle medicine, and has been working on completing his IFM courses, with a goal of becoming certified in 2023. He currently works with us at Spero just one day a week, but hopes to expand that in the near future.
Upcoming Services
- Group Education Series: We are excited to announce that we will be offering an educational series created by the Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center (LMRC). This series will primarily be run by Ben NP and health coach Cheryl, and will start with a GI Module, and the next one in the series will be the Cardiometabolic Module. This education series will be open to existing patients and new patients alike. More information to come in the very near future.
- Respiratory Illness Preparedness Workshop: we are also working on a hands-on workshop that discusses how to treat respiratory illness, and will include a live demonstration on how to use nasal saline irrigation bottles and home nebulizer machines. We hope to have this workshop open to our patients and the public in the near future.
Want help to get ready for the holidays? Having difficulty adjusting to the time change? Consider an NAD Infusion. What are the benefits? NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme that powers metabolic processes and impacts a wide variety of systems including digestion, cognition, mental clarity, aging, and overall energy levels. NAD+ increases our body’s levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation, and can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. NAD+ plays a role in cell health and in hundreds of cell functions such as DNA repair, circadian rhythm, metabolism, muscle function, tissue repair and cognitive function. Basically, our cells require NAD+ to quickly shuttle around electrons - keeping the cells buzzing with the electricity of life! Who is it for? NAD+ is the premier IV drip for clients who want to see major improvements in brain function, energy level, overcome anxiety and depression, handle acute and chronic stress more effectively, and cope better with PTSD. What's inside? We administer 250mg or 500 mg of NAD+ in an IV drip. (We always start with 250mg the very first time you try it.) How often? For best results, NAD+ may need several sessions depending on personal needs. The number of sessions will be discussed during an initial encounter. The NAD+ IV drip does take longer to receive than any other IV drip. Each session may last from 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on the tolerance. During the infusion, an individual might feel a bit of discomfort compared to standard vitamin drips - described as a bit of a rush through the body, but this is completely normal and can be controlled by how fast the IV is set to drip and stops within a minute or two after the drip ends. Our NAD+ drip can be followed by Glutathione -"Master Antioxidant " - for best results. Fall 2023 Special - 250mg is $250 and 500mg is $350. Glutathione 1g added on after the infusion is $35.00.
Unfortunately, most of us know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. As of January 2022, here are some key facts about the prevalence of breast cancer in the United States: Common Cancer in Women: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, aside from skin cancer. Incidence: In 2021, it was estimated that there would be over 281,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the United States. Additionally, there would be around 49,290 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. Lifetime Risk: The American Cancer Society estimates that the lifetime risk of a woman developing breast cancer is about 13%, or 1 in 8. Mortality: In 2021, it was projected that approximately 43,600 women in the United States would die from breast cancer. Age and Breast Cancer: The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Most breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women aged 55 and older. Race and Ethnicity: Breast cancer incidence and mortality rates vary by race and ethnicity. White and African American women have the highest incidence rates, while African American women have a higher mortality rate. Screening and Early Detection: Mammography, thermography and regular breast self-exams are important tools for early detection. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the more treatment options are available, and the better the chances of survival. Survival Rates: Survival rates for breast cancer have been improving over the years, in part due to early detection and advances in treatment. The 5-year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer is close to 100%. Genetic Factors: Some individuals, particularly those with a family history of breast cancer or certain genetic mutations (e.g., BRCA1 and BRCA2), have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Preventive Measures: Lifestyle factors such as maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, limited alcohol consumption, and avoiding smoking are associated with a reduced risk of developing breast cancer. As mentioned above, the BRCA gene mutation is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. For those who carry this genetic mutation, the need for effective preventive measures and early detection strategies is of paramount importance. Recent research has shed light on the potential role of DIM, a natural compound found in cruciferous vegetables, in this context. Diindolylmethane is a bioactive compound that has garnered attention for its health-promoting properties, particularly in cancer prevention. Our growing understanding of DIM's mechanisms and its impact on individuals with the BRCA gene mutation has opened new avenues of exploration. Here are some key aspects of how DIM could potentially benefit healthy BRCA gene carriers: Modulation of Estrogen Metabolism: DIM has been shown to influence the metabolism of estrogen, a hormone that plays a crucial role in breast cancer development. By favoring the production of a less potent and potentially less harmful form of estrogen, DIM may help reduce the cancer-promoting effects of this hormone. Regulation of BRCA Gene Expression: Emerging research suggests that DIM might influence the expression of the BRCA genes themselves. This could have a significant impact on the way these genes function and interact with cancer development pathways. Reduction of Breast Density: High breast density is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and can also make it more challenging to detect tumors via traditional screening methods. Preliminary studies indicate that DIM may contribute to a decrease in breast density, potentially improving the effectiveness of breast cancer screening for BRCA gene carriers. There's a study that utilized DFH's DIM-Evail formula at the time. It has since been reformulated to be even more bioavailable! Pretty cool information and definitely a step in the right direction! This study investigated the effect of DIM supplementation on breast density, a recognized predictive factor of breast cancer risk. Participants were 23 healthy female BRCA carriers, with the majority being post-menopausal. They were treated with oral DIM 100 mg × 1/day for 1 year. The amount of fibroglandular tissue (FGT) and background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed before and after the intervention was scored by two independent expert radiologists using the Breast Imaging and Reporting Data System. The results showed a decrease in the average score for FGT with no significant change in BPE. A group of DIM-untreated (age and menopausal status matched women) from the BRCA clinic did not show a significant change in FGT amount in a parallel year. . In conclusion, 1 year’s supplementation with DIM 100 mg × 1/day in BRCA carriers was associated with a significant decline in FGT amount on MRI. Interestingly, besides certain gene mutations, there are many other variables that have been shown to increase the risk for breast cancer. These include: · Mold Toxicity/Exposure · Radiation Exposure · Breast Implants · Heavy Metals (Including Amalgam Fillings) · Dental Infections · Toxins such as BPA, PFAS/PFOAs · Phthalates
Dr Kristie, Dr Chelsi and our health coach Cheryl recently attended a thought-provoking conference on cardiometabolic disease, where they encountered a captivating discussion on the role of uric acid in cardiovascular health. Spearheaded by renowned author and physician, Dr. David Pearlmutter, the conversation shed light on the importance of maintaining optimal uric acid levels and its impact on our overall well-being.
