Summit Health and Luxe Wellness Studio will open as a partnership inside of West Ridge Mall early this spring.
The two businesses will provide health care services and wellness therapies under one roof for a holistic treatment experience.
Founder and medical director Ryan Tomlins worked as a physician in nonsurgical orthopedics and sports medicine for a decade before leaving his position with Stormont Vail Hospital in August 2023 to launch Summit Health. The company has been operating online since November, providing functional medicine to clients locally and across the country.
Functional medicine looks to identify and address the root causes of illness and injury rather than focusing on treating symptoms to improve wellness, increase longevity of life and enhance athletic performance, Tomlins said.
“There are limitations in traditional healthcare due to insurance regulations and restrictions,” he said. “Doctors are trained to be reactive instead of proactive. We don’t really have time to ask questions, and insurance denies a lot of testing that could answer those questions.”
Summit Health doesn’t accept insurance and is private pay
Summit Health is a private pay practice and doesn’t accept insurance. Tomlins said his new venture allows him to take a patient-centered approach to treating clients.
“People are told they’re fine, but they’re not feeling fine, and they want options,” Tomlins said. “Patients and doctors no longer get to decide on the best treatment. At Summit Health, we go through this process together, and insurance isn’t in the way, telling us what to do.”
Clients can choose from package options that best fit their health care needs over the course of several months. Some areas of treatment that Tomlins seeks to address include maximizing energy, boosting immunity, hormone balance and optimizing brain function. He uses genetic analysis, GI mapping to assess gut health, hormone testing and more to help patients reach their health goals.
“These are things you wouldn’t traditionally find that get to the root cause of disease,” Tomlins said. “We want people to know that there are a lot of things out there to help them get answers.”
Individualized services that address pain and inflammation, such as steroid injections, stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma treatments are also available. In addition to clients who are seeking improvements to their overall health, Tomlins said he will continue to work with athletes to improve athletic performance and aide in recovery from injuries.
“We have services for athletes, but it’s a different perspective in that we’re asking, ‘How can we help this athlete with performance and recovery?’” Tomlins said.
Assessments offer information on the role an athlete’s diet, sleep patterns and inflammation levels have on athletic performance. Summit Health has a certified clinical nutritionist on staff to provide custom nutrition planning, and clients can receive help with supplement management to aid them in achieving peak athletic performance.
Luxe Wellness offers health and recovery spa options
Summit Health will share space with Luxe Wellness Studio, the latest innovation by local entrepreneur Tracy Jepson. According to the business website, Luxe aims to give the Topeka community health and recovery spa options to fight stress, practice self-care and ward off burnout.
“I was in the process of starting Summit Health, and Tracy was helping me get a small business up and going when she suggested the idea to include a wellness studio,” Tomlins said. “We decided to share the space and function together, versus having two separate businesses.”
Featuring infrared sauna and halotherapy treatments to improve skin, respiratory and immune health, clients at Luxe Wellness Studio can also experience cold plunge therapy, eucalyptus and Vitamin C skin brightening treatments and IV hydration therapy.
IV therapy in this setting is typically used by individuals recovering from an illness or hangover, Tomlins said. Each IV station will be manned by medical professionals licensed to start IVs.
Showers will be available onsite at Luxe for customers who want to book treatments over their lunch hour and return to work. Luxe offers membership options and can host private events as well.
Summit Health and Luxe Wellness acting on vision for West Ridge Mall
Tomlins and Jepson signed one of the first leases following the change in ownership at West Ridge Mall. Advisors Excel co-founders Cody Foster and David Callanan purchased the mall in September 2023 with plans to convert some of the building into corporate office space, while continuing to rent the remaining real estate to retail businesses.
Tomlins said he and Jepson are native Topekans and remember a more vitalized West Ridge Mall. The memory of what was and the potential for what West Ridge can be again is what led them to choose the mall as a location for their new businesses.
“When I was looking for a space, it was a balance,” Tomlins said. “Availability, location and cost were all factors. The potential changes coming down the road for West Ridge Mall with new ownership and new shops, restaurants and businesses coming in, we thought this would be a good time to let things build up around us.”
Summit Health and Luxe Wellness Studio are currently in the process of obtaining permits and remodeling the space they will occupy across from the former Victoria’s Secret store and beside Francesca’s on the lower level of the mall.
Both are anticipated to open in early to mid-March.
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