Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Well Spring Health Center has relocated and is expanding its services to better serve the needs of clients from Van Buren to Patten, Portage to New Brunswick.
“Well Spring Health Center opened in July 2001. We’re about to celebrate our 7th anniversary and are pleased to be doing it in our new home here at the Aroostook Centre Mall,” said Eva Shay, D.O., owner of the practice with her husband, Tom.
Located in what once served as office space for Pines Health Center, Shay said the facility is ideal for patients.
“We have a lot more space and don’t have to worry about parking. There’s plenty of space to expand,” said Shay.
And unlike her Second Street office, where if she ran a bit behind, clients would leave, that’s not the case at her new office space.
“Clients have actually expressed their pleasure at the offices being located at the mall. They give us their cell number if we’re running behind and tell us to give them a call when we’re free. In the meantime, they get to run errands – instead of just accomplishing their appointment with me, this gives them the benefit of being able to spend their time more productively running errands instead of sitting in a waiting room,” she said.
Shay noted that the new offices are more environmentally friendly than her old home – an issue that was of concern for her for several reasons.
“I have clients with allergies and I have some as well. My former location was in an older home with possible allergen issues. This location is more modern,” she said.
Shay, a Navy veteran, is a doctor of osteopathy, defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as, “A system of medicine based on the theory that disturbances in the musculoskeletal system affect other bodily parts, causing many disorders that can be corrected by various manipulative techniques in conjunction with conventional medical, surgical, pharmacological, and other therapeutic procedures.”
Shay is also board-certified in family medicine and holistic medicine.
Joining Shay at the new facility is Chris Mayer, a licensed acupuncturist.
“Acupuncture has been around for over 6,000 years and has been proven to help patients without the use of drugs. At Well Spring Health Center, our goal is to use an holistic approach to healing,” said Shay.
Shay said Linda Kelly will also being joining the center.
“She’s a reiki master and will be teaching here. Reiki is the Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing,” explained Shay.
Shay described it as a “light touch, energy-based modality.”
“We’ll have traditional Chinese medicine with Chris and Japanese medicine with Linda, while I offer traditional osteopathy,” she said. “Add that to the meditation course being offered by Ray Gribetz, our focus on healing comes from a wide variety of modalities.”
Rounding out the staff is Tabitha Dudley, who serves as administrative assistant.
“The good thing about where the office is located is we can go to lunch in the food court and Tabitha can still handle the phone. She just wears a headset and if a call comes in she can be back in the office in a moment. We can actually take lunch together,” said Shay.
“This whole idea – my dream has always been to have an holistic wellness center. I finally have the space to do that,” said Shay.
Shay said she’s hoping to add other options in the future, including a massage therapist and nutritionist, with a focus on an holistic diet.
“We’re open to other practitioners of holistic modalities interested in joining us. We’re looking for people with a legitimate connection to healing on various levels – emotional, physical and spiritual,” said Shay.
Shay said she’s open to the possibility of holding a small pilate class or discussion groups too.
“We have a conference room and could accommodate small groups for educational lectures or seminars for the community,” she said.
Shay’s office hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Thursday.
Mayer’s hours are Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 1-5 by appointment.
“Linda will be evening hours, but those have yet to be established,” said Shay.
Shay said she’s looking forward to serving clients from the new location.
“We’re finally in a position where we can explore a wide variety of avenues for holistic education. We have six exam rooms, three offices and a conference room. It’s been my dream to one day work in a wellness center. Now that dream is a reality,” said Shay.
For more information, call 764-6880.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
WELL SPRING HEALTH CENTER has moved to a new location at the Aroostook Centre Mall. Ready to meet your holistic health-care needs are, in front, from left: Tabitha Dudley, administrative assistant; and Chris Mayer, a licensed acupuncturist. In back: Tom and Dr. Eva Shay, owners of the health care practice.
