Kristin Gustin and Samantha Holt at the new Thrive By K in St. James City. PAULETTE LeBLANC<\/p>\n
Kristin Gustin, APRN, MSN, FNP, has opened Thrive By K, in St. James City, which is a functional health medical clinic, specializing in weight management, peptides, antiaging, hormone replacement and IV infusions. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe address the root causes of health issues and optimize overall wellness, by focusing on personalized care to support each individual\u2019s unique health journey,\u201d Gustin said. \u201cI still do primary care, in more of a functional health setting, where I find the root cause of things. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you get older your hormones become depleted. When that happens you can become fatigued, gain weight or become depressed. When your hormones aren\u2019t optimized you have increased risk of cardio vascular issues, Alzheimer\u2019s, dementia and many different issues,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Thrive By K empowers clients to take control of their health and thrive at every stage of life, she explained, saying she is passionate about adult preventative care and wellness. Although she is able to prescribe pharmaceuticals, finding the cause of trouble would be first and foremost. <\/p>\n
Sammy Holt, who is on staff at Thrive by K, agreed that the organization, on the whole, is more interested in getting to the origin of an issue, which oftentimes may simply be hormonal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can regulate someone\u2019s system, they may not need to take other pharmaceuticals,\u201d Holt said.<\/p>\n
According to Gustin, the biggest aspiration connected to this new place is offering Pine Islanders another resource for their health, especially if they do not like to leave the island.<\/p>\n
\u201cI care for my patients as though they are family. I respect them in their decisions, and provide expectations with excellent, compassionate care,\u201d Gustin said. <\/p>\n
Gustin received a master\u2019s degree in science of nursing at the University of South Florida and has over 10 years of experience in various specialties, she said, including cardiology, pulmonology and urology. The last few years, she said she made the decision to leave corporate and therefore left practicing medicine on the island, although she knew that she would be back one day. <\/p>\n
\u201cI began Thrive By K approximately three years ago and a year ago I opened my first medical practice in Cape Coral. When I\u2019m not working, I enjoy boating, sports fitness, motherhood and volunteering,\u201d Gustin said.<\/p>\n
Faith Freed, another staff member at Thrive by K, said she is honored to be a part of the team, which she said offers a health care method like nothing else she\u2019s ever witnessed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe offer a health care approach like no other. When you fill out our intake form you don\u2019t just become a patient, you become family. Our company is growing rapidly. Not only do we offer services in Cape Coral and now Pine Island, but we are in Naples as well. We are growing our team, introducing a CNA into our practice and soon we will be adding a medical assistant to ensure every patient that walks through those doors has the opportunity to get a full vital work-up to make sure no symptom goes ignored, and Kristin is able to make the most accurate diagnosis and best treatment plan so our patients can Thrive,\u201d Freed said.<\/p>\n
Thrive By K is at 3538 Saint Jude Blvd., St. James City.<\/p>\n