We recently connected with Veronica Sampayo and have shared our conversation below.

Veronica, appreciate you joining us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

It all started when I was an oncology nurse practitioner in a busy GI Oncology practice. I was mainly responsible for symptom management for patients undergoing chemotherapy. One day I was at the end of clinic and called by the treatment nurse, who informed me that one of our patients’ total bilirubin level was out of therapeutic range for treatment. I consulted with my managing oncologist, who asked that we hold treatment that day and order a scan to see what was causing the elevation. After conducting the scan, we found that the patient had disease progression, which meant that her chemotherapy was not working.

I was fortunate enough to be in the room when the oncologist was discussing further options for her. Option one was to use second-line chemotherapy to try to buy more time. And option two was to enroll her in hospice for comfort measures. We briefly discussed clinical trials; however, the patient would have to travel often and was not interested in any of the trials that were offered.

She then asked the tough question: “How much time do I have left to live without treatment?” She mentioned her son was getting married in five months and wanted to know if she could live long enough to see him get married. The oncologist was honest and said it is hard to tell how long and could not truly give a timeline, but it was unlikely she would make it more than 3-6 months.

I was there to pick up the pieces of that tough conversation after the oncologist left. We agreed that the decision for hospice did not have to be made at this visit and that we could continue to provide her with supportive therapy until she decided about chemotherapy or hospice. She did require a biliary drain to help her T. Bili go down and reduce her jaundice.

That night I went home with a heavy heart, knowing that she probably wouldn’t make it to her son’s wedding without treatment. I knew how hard chemotherapy was on her already and didn’t want to ask her to continue suffering if she didn’t feel like it was in her best interest. I continued to look up clinical trials and drug companies allowing compassionate use.

Compassionate use is sometimes possible when the investigational new drug is needed to treat a serious or life-threatening condition and there is some clinical evidence suggesting that it might be effective in that condition.

That night I found a drug that was under investigational study for cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). My patient had adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder (gallbladder cancer), however, because it is in the general vicinity of the same organ, I wondered if it could be an option for her. I reached out to the medical director overseeing the clinical trial. I asked if they would consider “expanded access” or “compassionate use” of the drug for my patient just to extend her life long enough to attend her son’s wedding. They said they would consider it and asked for more information about the patient. I then discussed this with the primary oncologist who basically gave me the wheel and said, “Let’s do this.”

I gathered as much information about the medication as possible and found that it was not chemotherapy and had minor side effects for patients. It was an oral medication that she would not have to come in and get infused with. Although it was a shot in the dark, in my opinion, it was a shot worth taking. I set up a meeting with the patient and her husband so that I could discuss her options. I remember feeling so nervous because the last thing I wanted was to give false hope. After a long discussion about the experimental medication, both she and her husband agreed to move forward with compassionate use.

I was so excited, however slightly hesitant because, although I was an expert in symptom management, I wasn’t as confident in the nuances of the use of experimental drugs, FDA, or IRB (Institutional Review Board) approvals.

After a long process of writing the protocol and getting approvals, I was able to get my patient started on the experimental drug. Thankfully, she didn’t have any side effects, and we scanned her two months after initiating therapy where she demonstrated a “mixed response.” Essentially, one tumor had improved while another tumor had worsened. We all decided that we would continue since the benefits were outweighing the risks.

Unfortunately, shortly after her first scan, she developed a fever and ended up in the ICU because of septic shock. When they did a scan, they found her to have hepatic abscesses that required draining. This woman was superhuman – and walked out of the hospital three days later! We did not feel that the medication caused the hepatic abscesses or caused the infection, however we put a hold on the medication until she fully recovered.

We saw her in the clinic eight weeks later for a scan, which found that the hepatic abscesses had improved and there was no evidence of cancer in her liver! We were all in complete SHOCK! She continued to need the biliary drains because she had persistent issues with her T. Bili levels, however this was a miracle for her!

We restarted the medication once her abscesses had resolved, and she did really well for an entire year! She attended her son’s wedding and continued to be present at birthdays and special events for the rest of her life.

Although she continued to stay “disease free,” her liver had too much damage, and she passed away peacefully in hospice surrounded by her family about one year after she initiated therapy with the experimental medication.

This experience taught me SO much about the relationships we nurses build with our patients and the impact we have in the world.

You will often hear me say, “There are people who depend on you to step into your purpose.” This story is my reason for that statement. I am thankful for the opportunities my NP degree has given me. And I am eternally grateful for my patients, who have trusted me with their lives.

I am thankful to be part of a profession where I have the skill and autonomy to care for patients in a way that only a nurse practitioner can.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a nurse practitioner and the owner of Balanced Vitality Center (BVC), located in Lake Nona, Florida, where I also offer telemedicine services throughout the state. I’m also a mom of two volleyball athletes, a wife, and someone deeply passionate about empowering women & men to take control of their health. My journey into healthcare was inspired by a desire to help people feel their best through prevention and personalized care, and over time, my passion has evolved into specializing in women’s health, hormone optimization, weight loss and preventive care.

At BVC, I provide a range of services designed to support overall well-being, including personalized weight loss programs, menopause and perimenopause care, testosterone replacement therapy, lipotropic injections, wellness injections, and hormone optimization therapies. I believe in using medications as tools, but only alongside lifestyle modifications like fitness and nutrition. I also offer innovative tools like the InBody Scanner to help patients track their progress in gaining muscle and losing fat—a key factor, especially for women.

The problems I solve for my clients often revolve around improving energy levels, managing weight, addressing hormonal imbalances, and helping women navigate life stages like menopause with confidence and vitality. I work closely with each patient to create a plan that feels sustainable and individualized.

What sets BVC apart is our focus on personalized, preventive care and a holistic approach to health. We’re not about quick fixes—we’re about sustainable solutions that help our patients feel stronger, healthier, and more balanced in the long term. We also emphasize community, partnering with local businesses and hosting events that bring people together, such as a recent open house and a ‘Friends Gifting’ event featuring collaborations with women-owned businesses like my sister’s company, The Naked Cupcake.

I’m incredibly proud of the trust my patients place in me and the transformations I’ve been able to witness—whether it’s a woman feeling empowered in her body again after menopause or a mom juggling everything and finally finding energy and clarity. I want potential clients to know that BVC is a space where they’ll be heard, understood, and supported, with care that’s truly customized to their unique needs.

Ultimately, my goal is to help people thrive at every stage of life, and I’m committed to creating a space where they can feel confident in their health and well-being.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Last year, I was invited to be a guest on a podcast. It was an exciting opportunity to share my experiences as a nurse practitioner and my passion for empowering others in healthcare. Little did I know, that conversation would spark a transformation in my career.

After the episode, the hosts—who happened to be the founders of Otto Health—asked me a question that changed everything: “Have you ever thought about starting your own practice?”

At first, I paused. Starting my own practice had always been a distant idea, something I thought about “someday,” but not seriously. Their question, however, stuck with me long after the episode ended. It was the catalyst for a thought process that I couldn’t ignore. I began to imagine what it would look like to create a space that truly reflected my vision of healthcare—one focused on preventive care, personalized solutions, and empowering patients to take control of their health.

The founders of Otto Health didn’t just leave me with that pivotal question—they offered their full support. They became mentors, walking me through the process of launching my own practice step by step. From designing operations and choosing technology to navigating the complexities of telemedicine and patient care workflows, they provided the expertise I needed to make Balanced Vitality Center a reality.

With their guidance, I opened Balanced Vitality Center last year. It’s a space where my vision of empowering women through personalized, preventive health care comes to life every day. And even now, the team at Otto Health remains a vital part of my journey. Whether I need help troubleshooting systems or brainstorming new ways to enhance patient care, they’re always there to support me.

Looking back, I’m so grateful for that podcast and the question that changed everything. Starting Balanced Vitality Center has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life, and I owe a great deal of that to the founders of Otto Health. Their belief in me and their unwavering support turned a dream into a reality, and I’ve never looked back.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

My most effective strategy for growing my clientele is rooted in community and word of mouth. At Balanced Vitality Center, we’ve built a practice based on genuine relationships and personalized care, and our patients are at the heart of everything we do. They’re some of my favorite humans, and their belief in our mission to empower health and well-being has been incredibly impactful.

When patients experience the positive changes we can help them achieve, they naturally want to share that with others. Whether it’s a mom recommending our wellness injections to her friends or a woman telling her circle about how we helped her navigate menopause with confidence, their testimonials carry so much weight.

We’ve also worked hard to foster a sense of community, not just within our practice but through collaborations and events with other local businesses. These connections have helped us grow authentically while staying true to our values. Seeing our patients become advocates for Balanced Vitality Center has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and I’m endlessly grateful for their trust and support.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.balancedvitalitycenter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancedvitalitycenter
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balancedvitalitycenter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicasampayodnp

Image Credits

Hibiscus Images with Anique Peppers