Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Clark.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my career as a nurse and gained experience in several different fields including critical care, OBGYN, and surgery. After a few years in the hospital, I went back to school and became certified as a family nurse practitioner. I worked briefly in family practice and endocrinology and both of those experiences made me realize I wanted to be able to do more for my patients than what the traditional model offered. I was always pressed for time and never felt like I could get to know my patients and provide education that would make the biggest impact to their health. This frustration led me to the world of functional medicine and hormone replacement therapy. I’ve been in this specialty for almost a decade and absolutely love it. I get to dive deep with patients about their health, lifestyle, and stressors to really get to know them. That information combined with extensive testing allows me to help patients achieve long lasting symptom relief and help prevent disease.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was extremely blessed to find a mentor, Dr. Leigh Ann Scott, early on in my functional medicine journey that helped pave the way for my success. She taught me all about hormones, gut testing, proper supplementation, and how to stay up to date on relevant research. She also taught me to always lead with integrity and put the patient’s first. That mentality has served me very well in my career and has made it extremely fulfilling on both a personal and professional level.
That being said, I opened my own practice in October 2024 and had a baby 6 weeks later. He decided to come 5 weeks early and took us all by surprise! Having a newborn, two year old, and a brand new business has not been easy, but I am also confident I am right where I should be. I’m even taking things a step further and working on a new practice with my friend and colleague, Everest Goldstein, NP. We have a lot more exciting things to come!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a nurse practitioner specializing in functional medicine and hormone replacement therapy. I am known for being an expert in managing thyroid issues, Hashimoto’s, PCOS, perimenopause, and menopause. I also help women navigate the postpartum period, which can be a very challenging time. I do see men for testosterone replacement and health optimization as well. What sets me apart from others is the personal touch and customized care I offer. There is no “one size fits all” solution and my treatment protocols are individualized to each patient’s needs. I combine holistic and western protocols to achieve the best patient outcomes. I am most proud of the relationships I establish with patients. Over time, we really build mutual trust and respect and I have so many patients that I would choose to be friends with!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I never thought I would say this because I’m historically not savvy with social media, but Instagram is a great connection tool. Reaching out to people you admire and follow is a great way to make a personal connection. Our industry also has a ton of great conferences for continuing education and I always walk away from those with a few new friends. You truly never know when a connection will prove to be fruitful! Nurse practitioners and providers in functional medicine are historically very helpful. We have a strong community that is always willing to help each other succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eliseclarkhealth.com
- Instagram: @eliseclarkfnp
