Community Highlights: Meet Angela Andrews MD of Seeds of Health DPC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Andrews MD

Hi Angela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Seeds of Health was born out of my desire to provide a lifestyle medicine-based approach accessible and personalized to each patient. To practice medicine in an environment where caring and taking time with patients is an expectation, not just a nice to have. Our services at Seeds of Health include preventive care, internal medicine, pediatrics, acute care, disease management, weight loss management, and more. Our mission is to provide compassionate and comprehensive care that addresses the root causes of health issues, not just the symptoms. We prioritize the doctor-patient relationship, dedicating time to active listening and collaboration, ensuring that our patients receive the personalized attention they deserve. At Seeds of Health, we are more than just healthcare providers; we are partners on your journey to well-being. With trust, integrity, and a commitment to healing, we bridge the gap between health and care, sowing health one seed at a time.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been very blessed to face a few obstacles along the way aside from overcoming my own fear and reluctance to take a risk. Also, taking the leap of faith to start this practice was as much a sacrifice for my family as much as it was for me. The most significant risk was the financial sacrifice. I gave up a steady income for uncertainty. I exchanged being a passive employee in an extensive healthcare system for being a physician, manager, and entrepreneur all in one. I didn’t study business. I studied engineering and medicine. So, I have been climbing a steep learning curve as I learn how to be a business owner. I can tell you that the sacrifice and the challenges have all been with it, though. I love learning and problem-solving, so my cup has been full daily. I have found this notion to be very accurate: when you make your passions and dreams known to the world, everyone and everything will conspire to help make it possible. This, combined with my faith that I am living out my purpose, has made this an incredible experience, and I am excited for the years to come.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Seeds of Health DPC?
Seeds of Health is not just a name for our practice, but a reflection of our unwavering commitment to your well-being. Our journey is deeply rooted in the personal experiences of Dr. Angela, whose parents, paternal grandfather, and maternal grandparents were all dedicated farmers and gardeners. They instilled in her the wisdom that a thriving garden can parallel a flourishing life, and this philosophy is at the heart of our practice.

Dr. Angela’s love for gardening was instilled in her since childhood, as she witnessed the beauty of nature and the joy of nurturing plants both indoors and outdoors. She grew up observing her mother’s care for household plants and her father and grandfather’s meticulous attention to their city gardens. They found solace and happiness in the fruits of their labor. Moreover, her maternal grandparents taught her the art of canning and preserving their harvest for future use. Little did Dr. Angela know that these early lessons in gardening would shape her healthcare philosophy and influence her future medical practice.

Gardening for Health and Wellness

Dr. Angela discovered the remarkable health and mental advantages of gardening on her journey. As she continued to explore this age-old pastime, she recognized the striking similarities between nurturing a garden and promoting wellness.

1. Nurturing Growth: Just as our gardens require care and attention to flourish, our bodies and minds need the same kind of care to thrive. At Seeds of Health, we believe in providing comprehensive healthcare that addresses your unique needs and encourages growth, just as a gardener tends to her plants.

2. Mental Well-Being: Gardening is a natural stress reliever. The act of planting, nurturing, and watching your garden bloom brings peace to the mind. We incorporate this philosophy into our healthcare practice, fostering an environment that promotes mental well-being and a sense of tranquility.

3. Preventive Care: In gardening, early interventions can prevent issues from taking root and spreading. Similarly, our approach to healthcare is built on the principles of prevention and early detection, ensuring that your health garden remains vibrant and disease-free.

4. Generational Health: Just as Dr. Andrews has drawn inspiration from generations before her, we seek to pass on our knowledge, expertise, and a legacy of health to future generations. At Seeds of Health, we believe that, like gardening, health is a continuum that benefits from the wisdom of those who came before and it is our duty to pass it on.

A New Kind of Healthcare

Seeds of Health is committed to providing patient-centered and holistic healthcare that takes inspiration from the timeless lessons of tending to plants and crops. We understand that health is not just about physical well-being, but also about nurturing your body, mind, and spirit to achieve overall balance. Whether it is sharecropping, gardening on an empty city lot in Detroit, cultivating a corner spot of a suburban backyard, or bringing the indoors to life with plants, we believe that the key to good health lies in the relationship between people and nature.

It’s not a coincidence that our primary brand color is Mustard. The Parable of the Mustard Seed gave Dr. Angela the courage to take a leap of faith in starting this practice. This parable conveys a powerful message of the strength of faith and the potential to accomplish the impossible with the aid of God. Dr. Angela hopes that although Seeds of Health is a lot smaller than other well-known healthcare systems in the area, it will grow and produce branches that will positively impact the way we practice healthcare in West Michigan.

Our healthcare practice is more than a destination, it’s a sanctuary of health where we sow the seeds of well-being and nurture them into flourishing lives. We cordially invite you to join us on this journey and experience the profound advantages of healthcare that draws inspiration from nature and is rooted in generations of knowledge and wisdom.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes. The critical importance of community and social connections. I inherently understood this in my practice of lifestyle medicine, but the point was driven home by the effects of the COVID-19 Crisis. Compounded by lots of social division, people (especially the young and the elderly) were isolated. I observed the impacts of this social isolation in my practice in the forms of increased anxiety, depression, increased screen use, poor dietary habits, and increased sedentary behavior. Some people took advantage of the time to get outside, and consequently, they were the most resilient. Those who did not find other ways to cope with the isolation were hit the hardest.

Pricing:

• Adult Membership $75 per month
• Pediatric Membership $30 per month
• Family Membership $200 per month
• Weight Loss Only *Ask for Pricing

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sohdpc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedsofhealthdpc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552404964125
• Other: https://thelifestylemd.buzzsprout.com