Today we’d like to introduce you to Susannah Kerwin
Hi Susannah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I had envisioned Tendwell in my mind for many years, imagining what my ideal practice would look like if I ever had the chance to start one. When the COVID pandemic hit, I had been working in a small practice in NYC for nearly a decade. Although the MD I worked with was fairly open to holistic approaches, I wasn’t able to fully integrate the functional medicine approach with my clients.
The pandemic sparked something in me—facing a global crisis, I began to question everything. With the support of my husband, who is an attorney, I started a part-time business from my home office. This “side hustle” quickly grew, as people needed care and sought home visits or telehealth consultations. I realized that not only was my dream practice possible, but I could also support myself doing what I love. We committed fully to developing Tendwell, and it has been an evolving process ever since.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’d love to say that creating, running, and owning a functional medicine practice has been smooth sailing and all fun, but there have been some hiccups along the way. There have been plenty of opportunities to learn more about myself and better understand my clients’ needs. Moving Tendwell from NYC to Colorado was challenging, particularly when it came to finding a new space for in-person clients. I’m very happy I chose Cherry Creek—it’s convenient for many of my clients who can walk to their appointments. I still see a significant number of patients via telehealth through calls and Zoom, and I’m gradually acquiring licenses in different states to expand my reach—I think I have about five state licenses now.
Fine-tuning the website, electronic charts, and prescribing systems hasn’t been the most exciting part of the job. I prefer to spend my time focusing on client care and addressing complex medical concerns. However, owning a business means learning everything, including understanding the client experience from start to finish. Finding trustworthy compounding pharmacies, organizing the health advice and products I recommend, and ensuring this information is accessible to my clients were initially overwhelming tasks, especially since I’m not particularly computer-savvy. But as I curated this information, the process became more streamlined, and it’s incredibly satisfying to offer my clients an organized and thorough approach.
One unexpected challenge was realizing that drawing blood in the office, which I used to do at my previous practice, wasn’t feasible. Given that I focus heavily on nutrient testing and specialty labs, this now requires a legitimate lab facility. This shift means that patients play a more active role in their care—they have homework. I see myself as a sleuth and guide, but ultimately, it’s the client who does the hard work of implementing changes in their lives. At Tendwell, providing a lot of support is essential, but it’s definitely a partnership.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Tendwell?
Tendwell is a functional medicine practice in Denver, CO, offering a boutique, highly personalized experience for each client. As the main clinician, I am a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner and an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, with over 14 years of experience in integrative and women’s health. At Tendwell, we focus on root-cause approaches to healthcare.
Our approach blends evidence-based functional medicine with holistic practices, addressing issues like hormonal balance, gut health, mold toxicity, and chronic illness. We emphasize a deep understanding of each patient’s unique health journey, crafting tailored treatment plans that integrate nutrition, lifestyle changes, and advanced diagnostics. We explore personal genetics, micronutrient levels, hormone testing, stool/microbiome analysis, and environmental toxin exposures—filling in gaps that conventional providers may have missed. I stay closely connected with my patients, even texting them to help navigate acute issues that come up. It’s truly exciting and enlightening to learn about a person in this way. We gather comprehensive data to create a treatment plan that evolves over time.
Located in Denver, Tendwell is dedicated to empowering patients to achieve optimal health and vitality through comprehensive and compassionate care.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have the support of my partner in this venture. I’ve also been lucky to hire an amazing health coach and nutrition specialist to work alongside me at Tendwell. The encouragement from good friends and colleagues along the way has been invaluable, and I was fortunate to find a supportive group of small business owners in Denver to discuss business and patient concerns with.
However, my journey into functional medicine wasn’t all about good luck. Personal health challenges and a significant issue with one of my children pushed me to think outside the box, question conventional approaches, and seek out holistic methods to implement in my life and the lives of my family. You could say I’ve fully embraced the functional medicine approach because I’ve witnessed firsthand its power to heal. The journey is long and rarely linear—constantly evolving. I consider myself an optimistic realist; I believe that things happen in life, and we have to put in the work to navigate them.
Pricing:
- Monthly Membership $249/month
- Annual Membership $2,730/year
- Ad hoc pricing available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tendwellhealth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susannahkerwinnp/
