We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sherrell Forstona few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sherrell, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
I founded Wellness & Beyond, PC in 2021 after reaching a pivotal point in my clinical career. Having practiced as a Physician Assistant for many years, I began to experience increasing professional burnout while caring for patients within the traditional medical model. Rather than viewing that season as an obstacle, I recognized it as a defining moment—one that encouraged me to re-evaluate my purpose in healthcare and ultimately shift from a reactive “sick-care” approach to a more proactive, wellness-focused model.
The earliest stage of building my practice began with personal clarity and commitment. I first ensured that I was fully confident in both my vision and my willingness to devote the necessary time, discipline, and resilience to bringing it to life. From there, I took practical foundational steps: establishing the business entity, developing clinical protocols, securing supplies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and creating a service model centered on concierge IV nutrient therapy as well as establishing a relationship with a physician to become my medical director. This approach allows fluids, vitamins, and medications to be delivered directly into the bloodstream through intravenous or intramuscular administration, offering patients efficient safe nutrient delivery and supportive care.
As the time passed, I felt compelled to deepen my knowledge base in holistic medicine to better serve patients comprehensively. I enrolled in a remote learning program at Trinity School of Natural Health to further my studies in naturopathic medicine. Balancing full-time clinical work, academic pursuits, and launching a business simultaneously was one of the most demanding periods of my professional life, but it was also among the most transformative. That season required discipline, adaptability, and faith in the long-term vision.
One of the greatest challenges in establishing my own practice was learning to transition from clinician to business owner. Clinical training prepares providers to care for patients, but entrepreneurship requires additional skills—marketing, operations, financial planning, branding, and leadership. If I could change one decision, I would have invested earlier in professional marketing support to strengthen visibility and accelerate growth. That insight alone would have saved considerable time and trial-and-error.
For young professionals considering starting their own practice, my strongest advice is to build a capable and trustworthy team early. It is tempting to wear every hat in the beginning, but sustainable success is rarely achieved alone. Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and professionals who complement your strengths and support your vision. Equally important is maintaining clarity of purpose; when your mission is grounded in service and authenticity, it becomes the anchor that sustains you through challenges. Most important of all, do not give up no matter what.
Ultimately, starting my own practice was not simply a career decision—it was a calling to practice medicine in a way that aligns with my values, supports whole-person wellness, and allows me to serve patients with renewed passion and purpose.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a Physician Assistant, Certified Natural Health Provider and servant of Jesus Christ with more than two decades of experience in medicine, having worked across a wide range of specialties including emergency medicine, internal medicine, orthopedics, spine care, rehabilitation, and interventional pain management. My professional journey has always been driven by my faith in God as well as a deep commitment to patient care satisfaction, clinical excellence, and lifelong learning. Over time, that commitment evolved into a broader vision: not only treating illness, but helping people optimize their health, energy, and quality of life.
That vision ultimately led me to expand beyond traditional clinical settings and establish my own wellness practice, Wellness & Beyond, PC. Through this platform, I serve God by serving others with concierge IV nutrient hydration therapy and wellness services designed to support hydration, recovery, immune function, vitality, and overall well-being.
My work focuses on individuals, small businesses and corporations who want to be proactive about their health, as well as those seeking supportive therapies alongside their existing medical care. I specialize in creating personalized wellness experiences that are safe, medically supervised, and tailored to each client’s needs rather than one-size-fits-all protocols.
What sets my approach apart is the integration of conventional medical training with a faith based wellness-centered philosophy. I understand both sides of healthcare: the clinical, evidence-based medical environment and the growing demand for preventative, patient-centered care. This allows me to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and modern wellness in a way that is responsible, ethical, and results-focused. Clients often share that they feel heard, valued, and genuinely cared for — which, to me, is just as important as clinical outcomes.
The problems I aim to solve are not always acute medical crises, but rather the everyday barriers that prevent people from feeling their best: fatigue, dehydration, stress, nutrient depletion, recovery challenges, and the demands of busy lives. My goal is to provide supportive solutions that help individuals function at a higher level physically and mentally so they can show up fully for their careers, families, and personal goals.
What I am most proud of is building a practice that reflects both my christian faith, professional expertise and my personal values. I have created a brand rooted in faith, integrity, compassion, education, and empowerment. Every service I offer is grounded in safety, clinical judgment, and a genuine desire to improve lives. I want people to know that when they work with me or my brand, they are receiving care from someone who not only has extensive medical experience, but who is also deeply invested in their long-term wellness journey.
Above all, I want clients and readers to understand that my work is about service and partnership. I don’t see myself as someone who simply provides a service; I see myself as someone who walks alongside individuals, small businesses and corporations as they pursue better health, wellness and a more vibrant life. That philosophy continues to guide everything I build, create, and offer.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Beyond training and clinical knowledge, the most important factor in my success has been my faith. My relationship with Christ is the foundation of how I serve, how I lead, and how I care for others. It shapes not only my personal life, but also my professional philosophy and the way I approach client wellness. My faith reminds me daily that healthcare is ultimately a ministry of service — one that calls for compassion, humility, integrity, and genuine concern for the whole person.
I believe true healing is not limited to physical symptoms alone. Scripture teaches that we are created as whole beings — mind, body, and spirit — and that principle guides my approach to care. Scripture also reminds us that our bodies are the temple. Rather than focusing solely on illness or isolated conditions, I strive to see each individual holistically. This perspective encourages me to listen more deeply, care more intentionally, and treat people with dignity, patience, and respect. It also helps me remain grounded and resilient, especially in a field that can often be demanding and emotionally taxing.
My faith also influences my view of health and wellness. I believe God has provided many of the natural resources we need on this earth to nourish, restore, and sustain our bodies. That belief inspires my passion for supporting wellness in ways that align with both medical science and a respect for the body’s natural design. It is not about replacing medicine, but about honoring the balance between science, stewardship of our bodies, and thoughtful care.
Ultimately, faith keeps my purpose clear. It reminds me that success is not measured only by professional accomplishments, but by the impact I have on the lives of others. It keeps me focused on service over recognition, purpose over pressure, and compassion over routine. For anyone entering this field, I believe skill and knowledge are essential — but a strong foundation of values, faith, and genuine love for people is what truly sustains a meaningful and lasting career.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
f I had the opportunity to go back and choose again, I would absolutely still choose the medical profession because caring for people has always been my calling. Medicine has allowed me to serve individuals during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and that privilege is something I would never trade. However, with the perspective I now have after years of clinical experience, I believe I would have pursued naturopathic medicine earlier in my journey alongside—or even before—conventional medical training.
My years practicing in traditional healthcare gave me invaluable knowledge, clinical discipline, and experience managing complex medical conditions. That foundation sharpened my diagnostic skills, strengthened my clinical judgment, and taught me how to think critically in high-pressure environments. Those lessons shaped me into the clinician I am today and continue to influence how I care for patients. For that reason, I would never consider those years a detour; they were essential preparation.
At the same time, experience revealed something deeper: true wellness extends beyond treating disease. I began to recognize that many patients were not just seeking treatment for illness—they were searching for guidance, prevention strategies, and sustainable ways to feel well in their everyday lives. That realization awakened my passion for a more holistic approach to healthcare, one that considers lifestyle, nutrition, environment, stress, and spiritual well-being alongside physical symptoms.
If I had known earlier what I know now, I would have integrated naturopathic principles sooner so that I could blend both disciplines from the start. I believe the future of healthcare lies in thoughtful integration—where conventional medicine provides acute care, diagnostics, and lifesaving interventions, while holistic and natural approaches support prevention, restoration, and long-term vitality. Having both perspectives now allows me to offer patients a more balanced and comprehensive form of care.
Ultimately, I would still choose this path because it led me exactly where I am meant to be: practicing medicine with purpose, compassion, and a whole-person philosophy. Every stage of my journey—traditional medicine, advanced training, and holistic study—has shaped my ability to serve others more effectively. In hindsight, I don’t see my path as something I would change; I see it as something that prepared me to fulfill my calling and ministry in a more complete and meaningful way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wellnessnbeyond.com
- Instagram: livewellness_beyond
- Facebook: Wellness & Beyond, PC
- Linkedin: Wellness & Beyond, PC
- Yelp: Wellness & Beyond, PC
