Through the last decade of taking care of adults and children, Dr. Saxena’s philosophy and experience have grown to recognize that true healing must be self-initiated. She sees her role as a guide and partner with her patients. She creates an approachable and non-judgmental space where a person can be courageous enough to explore and make the changes necessary to experience total wellbeing.
Dr. Saxena graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine through an honors medical program and completed her Family Practice residency at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida. There she served as Chief Resident and completed her certification in Low Risk Obstetrics continuing to expand her comprehensive knowledge of family medicine. She continues to maintain her Board Certification in Family Practice.
She joined private practice where her mission was working with rural and inner-city underserved patients in Jacksonville. Caring for patients who were challenged to care for themselves, she further experienced how the power of education and respect for people far outweigh the benefits and results of any drug therapy. She is known for her ability to take intricate medical subject matter and make it understandable and actionable by patients. Combining this skill with her desire to serve people, the practice was born. ‘Seva’ is an ancient Sanskrit that translates to ‘selfless service’ and Dr. Saxena’s original commitment to providing this type of service to the community remains as our driving force.
Through her entire educational and professional experience, Dr. Saxena believed that the ultimate goal of caring for patients was to cure disease and make them feel better. Unfortunately, she realized early in her career that this was not happening with the standards of care which she was taught. On a mission, she returned to fundamental physiology and completed advanced training at the Institute for Functional Medicine and other nationally recognized Integrative Medicine programs.
Today, Dr Saxena brings her unique style of education to her local community to create awareness for the importance of lifestyle modification for achieving their loftiest health goals. She also speaks throughout the country educating physicians on how to implement clinically effective programs for reversing chronic disease.
SevaMed Institute and the Center for Living Wellness represent the culmination of Dr. Saxena’s long-held vision for creating a life-changing place for the health-oriented community.
Karen M. Wilcox, MMS, PA-C is a licensed Family Practice Physician Assistant. Graduating in the top of her class, Karen holds a Masters degree in Medical Sciences from Nova Southeastern University. She is an active member of both the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants as well as the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and serves as a mentor to students contemplating a career as a PA.
She has worked extensively in the development and supervision of programs that reverse chronic diseases through lifestyle modification emphasizing nutrition and exercise. Karen also oversees the Women’s Health and preventative medicine programs at the office. She has a down-to-earth and passionate style that highlights her genuine desire to see her patients improve their health through education and empowerment. She most enjoys building long-term relationships with her patients.
Karen is an avid exercise aficionado and enjoys the challenge of transforming her favorite gourmet recipes into delicious and nutritious versions for all to enjoy.
Michele Drielick is the Executive Director for the Center for Living Wellness. She began her career conducting clinical trials for FDA drug approvals. She worked on many leading edge drug therapies for AIDS, Oncology, Infectious Disease and Erectile Dysfunction. She focused in on Clinical Oncology working with oncology practices to improve patient-care, publishing numerous papers and working with expert panels to develop many of the treatment guidelines utilized for cancer care. She also has extensive management experience in her most recent role as Vice President of a leading healthcare technology company.
Although rewarding at times, she recognized the weaknesses of the pharmaceutical-based care model prompting her to begin her search for more holistic options for wellness. She is licensed in therapeutic massage and holds advanced certifications in Kripalu and PranaVinyasa Yoga. She founded Tree Frog Yoga in 2006 and created a growing community of individuals interested in total wellbeing. In order to help her clients accomplish their goals, she and Dr. Saxena worked together to develop unique lectures educating the community on the benefits of healthy lifestyles.
As Executive Director, Michele heads Clinical Education and provides clinical nutrition education and lifestyle coaching to the patients of SevaMed Institute. She also oversees and manages the Center for Living Wellness and its various programs. In this role, she enjoys the fruitful marriage of her clinical research skills and her holistic training to help people change their lives.