Epic Integrative Wellness | Making Time For Health
By JENNIFER LECLAIR | Photos by JOHN BURNS
At Epic Integrative Wellness, Co-founders and Nurse Practitioners Kelsey Stringer and Amanda Whitson provide a personalized approach to health that differs from conventional medicine. Each patient’s personal health goals are the focus of their treatment plan, and Kelsey and Amanda agree there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for individual health
“Our providers and patients decide together how much time to spend and what is necessary for true health optimization,” said Kelsey. “We walk alongside them as partners in their health journey, with the shared belief that self-improvement is a lifelong process.”
“Appointments at Epic never feel rushed,” added Amanda. “We have genuine conversations with our patients to discover their personal health goals and what they hope to gain from their journey with us.”
TIME WELL SPENT
The clinic, which opened its doors in early 2024, offers services that range from medical weight loss to IV infusions. Yet their most requested service is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Kelsey and Amanda say they not only consider it the foundation of their clinic, but it’s also what they have trained in the most extensively.
“Patients come to us because they want evidence-based, safe and effective solutions to hormone-related struggles,” said Amanda, “and the results are truly life-changing.”
BHRT caters to both men and women. For women, this can be a lifeline for navigating the often-challenging symptoms of menopause, a condition the clinic states they are keen to demystify and treat effectively. For men, testosterone replacement therapy addresses issues like low energy and diminished sex drive.
Epic’s approach differs from the shorter appointments common in many health care settings, giving patients more involvement in their care decisions.
Kelsey and Amanda founded the clinic in response to the systemic issues they noticed in modern health care, where providers are often limited by time constraints and insurance mandates, leaving little room for in-depth patient consultation and preventative care.
“Time is our greatest differentiator,” said Kelsey. “We intentionally build longer visits and ongoing monthly follow-ups into our model. Our patients feel supported not just in one area, but across all areas of health.”
Epic’s model focuses on addressing the root cause of symptoms rather than simply treating them, an experience that Kelsey and Amanda say begins from the moment a patient walks through the doors. The clinic aims to provide longer and more thorough appointments than typical health care visits.
“Every member of our team plays a role in the patient journey,” said Amanda, “from welcoming patients at scheduling, to delivery of advanced treatments, to supporting lifestyle and wellness changes. Our philosophy and focus is always on whole-person care.”
DIGGING DEEPER
Epic Integrative Wellness offers several services targeting different wellness needs. In addition to BHRT, they offer wellness consultations that include diet, exercise, sleep, stress management and more to promote better health and prevent chronic disease.
Their clinical approach also includes functional medicine lab testing. Rather than relying on standard lab panels, they offer a variety of tests designed to assess more nuanced areas of wellness, such as gut health and food sensitivities. Kelsey and Amanda analyze the data to create personalized plans that address the underlying causes of a patient’s symptoms.
“If you’re simply seeking a prescription and a ‘See you in six months approach,’ we are probably not the right fit for you,” said Amanda. “When we were working in acute and emergency medicine, we were constantly reacting to crises rather than working proactively to prevent them. Here, we’re able to focus on prevention, optimization and true wellness.”
Epic also offers a range of therapies to boost energy, healing and overall vitality. The IV lounge provides customized intravenous vitamin and hydration infusions for everything from immune support to hangover recovery and enhanced athletic performance. The clinic uses cutting-edge peptide therapy to help reduce inflammation and provides a medical weight loss program that focuses on sustainable strategies.
They also offer an Executive Health Optimization Program, designed to support businesses by enhancing the health and productivity of their corporate leadership teams. According to Kelsey and Amanda, the program’s payoffs include higher energy levels, improved stress management, increased productivity, reduced sick days and a stronger company culture.
“We want our patients to know they’re stepping into a safe space where the entire team is behind them, helping them achieve their best selves,” said Kelsey.
MORE THAN MEDICINE
Kelsey is a Topeka native with deep roots in the community. Not only was she a standout multi-sport athlete at Washburn Rural High School, but she went on to compete as a four-year starter for Kansas State University’s volleyball team, setting numerous blocking records that stand to this day.
K-State was also where she began her journey into health care, majoring in life sciences/pre-medicine. When she came together with Amanda to create a practice reflective of their shared values, the decision to open a clinic in the capital city seemed like a natural fit.
“Topeka is a close-knit, supportive community. It’s a place where people know their neighbors, care about one another and cheer for local businesses,” said Kelsey. “We wanted to plant roots where we could give back to the same community that has given us so much.”
The clinic operates on a fee-for-service model, which allows their team to spend significantly more time with each patient. This removes insurance companies as the middleman and enables a more collaborative relationship between provider and patient.
As Kelsey notes, this extra time is invaluable for truly understanding a person’s lifestyle and getting to the bottom of their health concerns. Part of the clinic’s philosophy is that “normal” on a lab report doesn’t always mean “optimal,” and they work with patients to dig deeper and improve wellness markers.
“Our favorite thing is being part of the patient’s transformation,” said Amanda. “The transformation is physical, mental and emotional.”
Together, Kelsey and Amanda have created a practice focused on root-cause treatment and longer patient consultations.
“Our goal is to guide all of our patients through personalized health optimization and help them add life to their years,” said Amanda. “Kelsey and I have both experienced firsthand the transformational benefits of an integrative approach. Experiencing and witnessing those results changed the way we saw health and it changed our career paths permanently. We are grateful to get to share that with others through our work.”
