Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Ricker.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been in more traditional healthcare settings for approx. 20 years. Working first as an RN in ED, Labor, and Delivery, and Cardiac. I then got double board certified as a Certified Nurse Midwife and Family Nurse practitioner. I spent several years delivering babies, then transitioned into Family Medicine, and then spent most of my advanced practice career in Women’s Health (OB/GYN). I’ve been certified as a Certified Menopause Practitioner for approx. 1o years – and noticed during my practice in a more traditional healthcare setting that I became aware of how difficult it was to provide holistic care specifically for midlife women.
I then decided to open my own practice which started Jan 2023. I am entirely virtual which allows for the longer conversations and is well suited to discuss all things hormonal.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was certainly hesitant to step outside of the type of practice that I’ve known and been a part of for several years. Immediately, though, I had such positive and encouraging feeding back from my patients as well as other health care providers in the community. I pretty quickly realized that this was a void that needed to be filled. The healthcare system has been under such a strain for the last several years that I think that providers are thankful that they have a Certified Menopause Practitioner they can refer to who allows for evidence-based/holistic care.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I knew right away that I wanted women to know all of their options for feeling better, and I wanted to do this virtually. Virtually, visits allow for flexibility not only in my schedule but my patients and allows for the longer conversations. While I do have a conversation about hormone therapy with all my patients – it’s up to them to determine if that’s the path they want to take or to tap into other lifestyle changes, supplements, or even other prescriptions that may work best for them. My goal is to address the root cause – and oftentimes hormonal transitions are a time of vulnerability for depression, anxiety, mood changes, body changes, sleep disturbance, and stress.
Another aspect that tends to get less recognition is that oftentimes hormonal changes, specifically Menopause, are a critical window of time to help mitigate health risks. During menopause women’s cardiovascular risks significantly increases, as well risk for osteoporosis and the pathology underlying Alzheimer’s starts to develop. If women are talking about menopause symptoms w/ their providers, then they should also receive info about disease risk modification. That’s perhaps one of my favorite parts is that I want them to feel better today AND reduce risk for chronic illness.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My patients certainly deserve credit since they have continued to trust me in this new medical model. My sister, who is a menopausal women constantly told me that there is a void in this area. My husband supported me right away – even though it was a risk.
Other small business owners in the community – specifically healthcare women-owned businesses reached out right away to support me.
A lot of other medical professionals in the community also trust me with their patients, and that is the highest compliment.
Pricing:
- $175 – Intake visit
- $150 – follow up visits
Contact Info:
- Website: www.womenswellnessforlife.com
- Instagram: womenswellness_np
- Facebook: Women’s Wellness for Life, PLLC
