Summit Health and Luxe Wellness Studio will open as a partnership in West Ridge Mall early this spring.
The two businesses offer healthcare services and wellness therapies under one roof for a comprehensive treatment experience.
Founder and Medical Director Ryan Tomlins worked as a non-surgical orthopedic and sports medicine doctor for 10 years before leaving Stormont Vail Hospital in August 2023 to start Summit Health. The company has been operating online since November, providing functional medicines to local and national customers.
Rather than focusing on treating symptoms to improve health, extend lifespan, and improve athletic performance, functional medicine aims to identify and address the root cause of illness or injury. Tomlins said.
“Conventional medicine has its limitations due to insurance regulations and limitations,” he said. “Doctors are trained to be reactive, not proactive. We don't have much time to ask questions, and insurance companies are denying many tests that could answer those questions.”
Summit Health does not accept insurance and requires private payment.
Summit Health is a private salaried clinic and does not accept insurance. Tomlins said his new venture will allow him to take a patient-centered approach to patient care.
“People are being told it's okay, but they don't feel well and they want options,” Tomlins said. “Patients and doctors can no longer decide on the best treatment. At Summit Health, we're in this process together and insurance doesn't get in the way and tells us what to do.”
Customers can choose the package option that best fits their healthcare needs over several months. Therapeutic areas that Tomlins seeks to address include maximizing energy, improving immunity, balancing hormones, and optimizing brain function. He uses genetic analysis, gut mapping to assess gut health, hormone testing, and more to help patients achieve their health goals.
“These are things we haven't traditionally found to help us understand the root causes of disease,” Tomlins says. “We want people to know there's a lot out there that can help them find answers.”
Individualized services to address pain and inflammation are also available, including steroid injections, stem cell therapy, and platelet-rich plasma therapy. In addition to clients looking to improve their overall health, Tomlins said he will continue to work with athletes to improve athletic performance and help them recover from injuries.
“We provide services for athletes, but we have a different perspective on, 'How can we help this athlete perform and recover?'” Tomlins says.
The assessment provides information about the role that an athlete's diet, sleep patterns, and inflammation levels play in athletic performance. Summit Health is staffed by certified clinical dietitians who provide custom nutrition plans, and clients receive support with supplement management to help achieve peak athletic performance.
Luxe Wellness offers health and recovery spa options
Summit Health will share space with Luxe Wellness Studio, the latest innovation from local entrepreneur Tracy Jepson. According to the business' website, Luxe aims to provide the Topeka community with health and restorative spa options to combat stress, practice self-care and prevent burnout.
“I was trying to start Summit Health and Tracy was helping me start small businesses when she pitched the idea of including a wellness studio,” Tomlins said. “We decided to share space and functionality together rather than have two separate businesses.”
Featuring an infrared sauna and halotherapy treatments to improve skin, respiratory and immune health, guests at Luxe Wellness Studio can also experience cold plunge therapy, eucalyptus and vitamin C brightening treatments, and IV hydration therapy.
Tomlins said IV therapy in these situations is typically used by people who are recovering from an illness or hangover. Each infusion station will be staffed by a medical professional qualified to start the infusion.
Showers are available on-site at Luxe for guests who wish to book a treatment outside of lunch hours and get back to work. Luxe offers membership options and can also host private events.
Summit Health and Luxe Wellness live on the vision of West Ridge Mall.
Tomlins and Jepson signed one of the first leases after West Ridge Mall changed ownership. Cody Foster and David Callanan, co-founders of Advisors Excel, plan to convert part of the building into corporate office space, while continuing to lease the remaining property to retail, starting September 2023. Bought a mall in May.
Tomlins said he and Jepson are both native Topekan people and remember a more vibrant West Ridge Mall. Memories of what West Ridge once was and the potential to become West Ridge again are why they chose this mall as the home of their new business.
“When we were looking for space, it was a balance,” Tomlins said. “Availability, location, and cost were all factors. With new ownership and the arrival of new shops, restaurants, and businesses, changes may be coming to West Ridge Mall, so this is a great opportunity for us to build things around I thought it was a good opportunity.”
Summit Health and Luxe Wellness Studio are currently in the process of obtaining permits and renovating space on the lower level of the mall, across from the former Victoria's Secret store and next to Francesca's.
Both are scheduled to open in early to mid-March.
