NASHVILLE HEALTH PRO Health
A Look Inside Bellevue's Community Center
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
TWELVESTONE
HEALTH PARTNERS
HEALTH + WELLNESS
HARPETH DENTAL
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For many of us, this time of year is full of excitement. It presents us with a reset, new horizons and goals to pursue.
But for others, January can be a reminder of failed attempts from years past and the burden of expectation that this year will be different.
We approached this issue of Bellevue City Lifestyle from a mindset of not supplying quick fixes to check boxes in the short term but valuing what is sustainable over the long haul. We wanted to provide inspiration for making lasting, realistic, long-term improvements to your physical, emotional and mental health.
When it comes to anything in life - business, finance, food, home and personal health – it’s not what you do some days that move the needle - it’s what you do MOST days. For better or worse.
For instance, taking a vacation every day would be financially and practically unfeasible. But taking a trip once or twice a year? That’s possible. Having a steak dinner with a few cocktails and creme brulee every night for dinner isn’t best for your health, but doing so once in a while might be fine! So hold the creme brulee or skip breakfast. (No, I'm kidding! The steak-drinks-dessert thing is fine every now and then. I think.)
It’s not the sometimes choices we make, it’s the most-of-the-time choices.
So plan the vacation AND work to establish more regular rest in your work week. Check out a fitness community or gym like the Bellevue Community Center AND enjoy that dessert you’ve been wanting to try at Fortuna or Loveless. It’s not what you do some days - it’s what you do most days that will lead to a more peaceful and meaningful year.
Here’s to you! We’re rooting for you.
ED ATLAS, EDITOR @BELLEVUECITYLIFESTYLE
PUBLISHER
Doug Waterman | doug.waterman@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Ed Atlas | ed.atlas@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Lindsey Baydoun | hello@lindseybaydoun.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ed Atlas, Kellie Walton, Emily O’Brien
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ed Atlas, Dune Baydoun, Lindsey Baydoun, Ed Combs
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
8: Lawson High School Flag Team. 9-14: The Inaugural Holidays In The Vue parade marched through Bellevue on December 7.
Connie Jo Shelton, Head of School for Nashville Christian School, has been named the TSSAA A.F. Bridges Sportsmanship Administrator of the Year. This award recognizes individuals who exemplify excellence, integrity, and sportsmanship in Tennessee high school athletics. NCS has doubled in size during Shelton’s 16-year tenure. The school has expanded its athletics programs while capital improvements have included a new track training area, an outdoor golf practice facility and indoor golf simulator, and the forthcoming Event Center/Gymnasium. NashvilleChristian.org
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Bellevue resident Shane Nasby, founder/owner of Cledis Burgers & Beer Garden, recorded a sixth-place finish in the Burger division of the World Food Championships in Indianapolis. “It was an amazing experience and I was honored to represent not only the United States, but our home community of Bellevue on the food world’s biggest stage," he says. "To finish in the top six was encouraging and it showed I could compete with the best in the world.” Cledis.com
Baker Bookkeeps, a Bellevue-based bookkeeping service, is now officially certified as Profit First Professionals. Profit First is a methodology for managing business cashflow, that is growing in popularity. "Getting certified as a PFP is a significant designation for us because it's an exclusive community of business professionals," says the firm's owner, Joy Baker. "We're able to help business owners implement PF, and we have a fantastic structure to our implementation projects."
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ARTICLE BY ED ATLAS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSEY BAYDOUN
As someone who studied epidemiology and public health in college, Dr. Kinnara Emmons understands the science behind how certain things become contagious and how to prevent them from spreading. But as a dentist, she understands that nothing is more contagious than a smile and she does everything she can to accelerate the spread, especially among her patients at Harpeth Dental Care.
“Being able to improve someone’s smile is very gratifying to me and, in dentistry, you can do that frequently,” says Dr. Emmons. “But dentistry is so individualized and that’s what I really love about it. I’m able to make a positive impact in small ways every day.”
Dr. Emmons grew up in Mississippi but visited the Nashville area frequently. “We have family in Clarksville, so I was here often as a child,” she says.
She met Weller, the man she would eventually marry, when they were both in high school. And while she went to Saint Louis University, he attended Vanderbilt, further strengthening her ties to the area.
They married in 2018 and spent a couple of years in Charleston, South Carolina before moving to Nashville permanently in 2021. The following year Dr. Emmons joined the
At Harpeth Dental Care, Dr. Kinnara Emmons Is Making Bellevue A Happier Place by Bringing Smiles To Patients’ Faces
team at Harpeth Dental Care, 7839 Old Harding Pike, where she sees patients of all ages, including babies.
“This office has been here for a while and I enjoy that it’s established, has a nice setting and is family oriented,” says Dr. Emmons, who occasionally is accompanied to work by Humphrey, her six-year-old red Golden Retriever.
Dr. Emmons has three hygienists and two dental assistants on her team. They provide general dentistry services along with whitening, Botox, crowns, digital dentistry and Invisalign treatments.
HarpethDentalCare.com
Dr. Emmons recommends following these simple suggestions for improved dental health:
• Use an electric toothbrush . “It’s worth the investment, especially if you have a lot of existing dental work.”
• Avoid restaurant toothpicks . “They are a hazard and can burrow holes in your teeth! Be careful in using them to remove stubborn food. Regular floss works great.”
• Don’t believe everything you read online . “Come see me. We believe in prevention and will do everything we can to keep you out of the chair.”
• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. “Your gums will get used to it. The more you floss, the less you’ll bleed!”
• Avoid sugary drinks . “We live in the South but try not to sip sweet tea all day. You’ll experience a decrease in decay and cavities and your teeth will thank you.”
• Don’t eat chocolate . “OK, I love chocolate so I can’t tell you not to eat it. Just remember to brush and floss!”
NASHVILLE HEALTH PRO, TAMERA THOENER, BELIEVES EVERYONE’S HEALTHCARE DESERVES TO BE CENTERSTAGE
ARTICLE BY ED ATLAS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
“The motivating factor for me is I want to help people... address health concerns on many different levels.”
When it comes to Nashville’s economy, music and medicine take centerstage. Tamera Thoener knows what it likes to play a starring role in both.
She came to town from Lubbock, Texas in 1991 on a scholastic scholarship to Vanderbilt with the intention of becoming a medical doctor. But shortly thereafter she traded her stethoscope for a violin, playing in the orchestra at Vanderbilt and later at Belmont, where she transferred to study music business.
“I changed schools and majors because I thought music would be more fun,” she says. “And the music industry is where I met my husband. He was a client of the studio where I was a manager. Next thing you know, we’re friends, we’re dating…and we’ve been together a long time!”
That man, producer David Thoener, has a resume that includes several Grammys and over 500 hit records for the likes of Santana, Aerosmith, Matchbox Twenty, KISS, Billy Joel, Faith Hill and Michael W. Smith.
By 2013 the music industry had evolved to the point that Tamera Thoener opted to return to school to pursue her original healthcare dreams. She became a nurse practitioner in 2015 and, with her science and business skills, revitalized a local urgent care/primary care practice.
When 2018 rolled around, she was ready to venture out on her own, so she opened Nashville Health Pro at 915 Harpeth Valley Place. She’s been playing a starring role in Bellevue’s healthcare scene ever since.
“The motivating factor for me is I want to help people, and especially women, address health concerns on many different levels,” says Thoener. “We look at the complete, holistic picture. What is the patient eating, the medications they’re taking, lifestyle and family history? We try to find the root cause and not
just treat symptoms. It’s not just, ‘Oh, you have a cough? Take this.’
“I like the functional aspect of medicine, and I’m very interested in an East-meets-West approach. You have patients who are very well educated and sometimes don’t want to take pharmaceuticals. They’re more interested in change through diet and exercise, not just a pill. So, we’re able to offer a combined approach that is science and evidence based.”
In addition to Thoener, a family practitioner and Nashville Health Pro’s sole owner, the team includes adult nurse practitioner, Kim Huang, and Doctorate of Nursing practice and family nurse practitioner, Nikki Stephens. As personal care providers, they’re able to treat a wide range of everyday acute and chronic healthcare needs.
“We have a full breadth of everything you can think of for a primary care need,” says Thoener. “You can come to us for your annual exam, hormones or a deep dive into your cholesterol. We even do thyroid management and provide treatment for migraine headaches.”
All three specialize in cosmetic and medical dermatology which means they provide everything from aesthetic services to treatment of pre-cancerous lesions and biopsies.
“I’ve always loved skin,” says Thoener. “One of my best friends in my early 20s was an aesthetician and she was always taking care of my skin. Just think about the psychological aspects of teenagers when it comes to their skin. So, even before I was in school, I knew dermatology was going to be an area of focus.”
Because beautiful skin and good health are important whether you’re on stage or not.
NashvilleHealthPro.com
DON’T MISS BELLEVUE COMMUNITY CENTER’S FITNESS FACILITY AND ITS TOP-NOTCH PROGRAMMING
The chances you’ve spent time at One Bellevue Place are high: you can shop for home goods, grab a bite to eat, enjoy the latest film in cozy reclined seats, and even catch a hockey game. But in addition to knocking out all those to-dos, you can also get a sweat in.
ARTICLE BY KELLIE WALTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSEY BAYDOUN
Right beside Ford Ice Center sits the Bellevue Community Center, a state-ofthe-art facility that fully embodies the notion “for the whole family.” There’s exercise equipment, community classes, after-school programs, and more, and we’re diving into everything you need to know about this fantastic community resource (you know, just in case you need some motivation to keep those resolutions going).
As a community resource, it’s only fitting that the Bellevue Community Center caters to all: all ages, abilities, and an array of
interests. While anyone can utilize the fitness center, there are also senior programs aimed at promoting physical health and community interaction. Think: tailored fitness classes, games, senior yoga, and even line dancing sessions to keep the boogie going at any age.
Little ones will also find age-appropriate activities, too. After-school programs are available for kids to enjoy enrichment activities and playtime in a safe location between school dismissal and the workday wrapping. In summer, there’s a dedicated youth enrichment program with comparable goals as well. There are also plenty of toddler activities–from creative projects to circle time, fitting toys, and nurturing programs.
“AT ITS CORE IS THE FULL-SERVICE FITNESS
CENTER FULLY STOCKED WITH EQUIPMENT.”
If kids, parents, and grandparents want to come together, take to the courts during family open gym time.
At its core is the full-service fitness center fully stocked with equipment. Whether you’re working on amping up your abs, arms, or backside, you’ll find what you need here (no excuses in the new year). In addition, there’s an indoor basketball court, an indoor walking track, and fitness classes like Piloga (a Pilates and yoga hybrid), Zumba, and POUND, a full-body class combining cardio, strength training, yoga, Pilates, and… drums!
Other onsite amenities include the NBA-size basketball court and pickleball courts. This age-old game is experiencing a massive boom, and if you’re interested in getting in on the action, take a “fundamentals of pickleball” class for technical and competitive instruction.
There are two words in the facility’s title worth noting: fitness is obvious, but community certainly isn’t overlooked. The Bellevue Community Center also offers group activities aimed at teaching skills and fostering community – check out the art class offerings that include a sip and
paint (coffee edition) class or try your hand at pottery inside the onsite studio.
If you’re looking for a facility to host a gathering of your own, the Center does rent the space.
As one of Bellevue’s newer buildings, the Center is committed to sustainability. It’s LEED-certified, a globally recognized designation and rating system for sustainable buildings. There are 432 solar panels topping the facility, which offsets energy consumption by 30 percent. There are also electric charging stations, efficient landscaping, water refill stations, and an interactive kiosk with games for kids revolving around sustainability.
In a time when gym memberships cost as much as a major down payment, you’ll be thrilled to note the affordable pricing at Bellevue Community Center. For access to the facilities and fitness center, it’s just $3 a day for adults and half that for seniors and kids. Monthly packages and multi-visit passes are also available, never exceeding $30.
Fitness classes are an additional fee, weighing in at $4 per class (average costs these days can be up to $45 at some boutique studios).
For more information on class schedules, facilities, or pricing, find Bellevue Community Center on Nashville.gov.
ARTICLE BY KELLIE WALTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ED ATLAS
TWELVESTONE HEALTH PARTNERS, AN INFUSION THERAPY CENTER WITH A LOCATION IN BELLEVUE, PRIORITIZES COMFORT, HEALING, AND FAITH FOR PATIENTS
Compassion and healthcare don’t always go hand-in-hand. But TwelveStone Health Partners, a leader in infusion services for chronic conditions, is aiming to change that.
“TwelveStone offers something unique—a spa-like setting for your med-
But the high-touch, ultra-compassionate service doesn’t stop there. TwelveStone also has a chaplain on staff offering prayer and spiritual support for patients who choose to receive it.
“A lot of the time, our patients are recently diagnosed with a chronic
“AS AN INFUSION PATIENT MYSELF, I CAN ATTEST THAT TWELVESTONE TRULY GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND TO MAKE EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS SMOOTH AND STRESS-FREE.”
ical infusion needs,” says Neely Knox, RN. “As an infusion patient myself, I can attest that TwelveStone truly goes above and beyond to make every step of the process smooth and stress-free.”
Many infusion centers place patients in a shared room to receive treatment, but TwelveStone offers the exact opposite: private rooms with a comfortable recliner, TV, Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, and a nurse providing support throughout the process.
Dustin Mayfield, APRN, FNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner at TwelveStone and receives infusions at another health system, so he has a first-hand look at what sets his own provider apart.
“We try to really get to know our patients and meet their needs,” he says. “I want everyone to be relaxed and comfortable and really try to make the stay a welcomed part of their schedule. We even have one patient calling this her spa day.”
condition and it’s a very scary thing,” shares marketing manager Jess Thomas. “We also have advocate groups and can connect patients with national foundations.”
The TwelveStone name comes from the Old Testament story of Joshua, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. The journey required crossing the flooding Jordan River. God told Joshua to have the priests step into the water, and once they did, waters were cut off and they were able to cross safely. Once on the other side, 12 stones (one for each of the 12 tribes of Israel) were plucked from the river and formed into a monument to inspire future generations.
Founder Shane Reeves (who also serves in the Tennessee state senate) is guided by the mission to be in deep water with patients – ultimately making sure they cross over from sickness into health, from despair to hope.
“WE TRY TO REALLY GET TO KNOW OUR PATIENTS AND MEET THEIR NEEDS.”
Mayfield, who serves as the clinical supervisor at the Bellevue location, became a nurse practitioner after receiving a life-saving kidney transplant from a donor who would go on to become a nurse, too.
“How could I not go on and help others, too, when I’ve had such good care and good blessings in my life?” asks Mayfield, who leverages his personal healthcare experiences to help his patients feel cared for. “I like hearing patient stories and giving them a space to vent or cry if needed. I even have a couple that loves trivia, and I come up with new questions for them each week, just to keep the visit pleasant.”
While TwelveStone requires a physician referral, the team wants to remind everyone to advocate for themselves and seek additional options when facing a medical journey. Despite its facilities offering more private and personal experiences than other infusion centers, it's still often covered by insurance.
To learn more about TwelveStone Health Partners, visit 12StoneHealth.com.
Call to book your tour today!
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629-888-5526 | B @nhcplaceatthetrace 8353 Highway 100 | Nashville, TN 37221
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JANUARY 2025
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
While traditional stretching methods attempt to make you more “flexible,” we work to adjust the stretch reflex. This way, the Stretch Zone Method gradually increases your active range of motion.
Consider how a car seatbelt works. If pulled too quickly, the belt locks. If the belt is forced, you are just stretching the material itself, and that’s where injury happens. When a car seatbelt is pulled smoothly and controlled, the belt will fully extend. It’s the same with your body’s stretch reflex.
JANUARY 7TH
January Events At Warner Parks Nature Center 7311 HIGHWAY 100
Winter Bird Banding: Tuesday 7, 14, 28 at 8 a.m., Wednesday 22 at noon; Winter Trees Of The Hill Forest: Friday 10 at 9:30 a.m.; Hill Forest Hike: Saturday 11 at 12:30 p.m.; Winter Birds Of The Hill Forest: Friday 17 at 9 a.m.; Vol Call Pullin’ Party: Saturday 18 at 10 a.m.; Cemeteries of Warner Parks: Saturday 18 at 1 p.m.; Winter Star Party: Saturday, February 1 at 6:30 p.m. WarnerParks.org/upcoming-events/
BEGINNING JANUARY 9TH
Nashville Symphony
SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY
CENTER, DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE
From classical to pop, the Nashville Symphony plays something for everyone in January. Thursday 9-Saturday 11: Manny Plays Mozart featuring Emanuel Ax; Thursday 16-Saturday 18: The War And Treaty; Sunday 19: MLK: A Celebration In Song featuring Mickey Guyton; Friday 24-Sunday 26: Julia Wolfe’s Flower Power and Beethoven’s Seventh; Friday 31: Lunar New Year: Year Of The Snake. NashvilleSymphony.org
BEGINNING JANUARY 9TH
Nashville Area Concerts
VENUES THROUGHOUT
NASHVILLE
RYMAN AUDITORIUM: Thursday 9: Peter Rowan with Sam Grisman Project; Tuesday 14-Wednesday 15: Ringo Starr & Friends; Saturday 18: Whitey Morgan & The 78’s; Saturday 25: Paul Cauthen; Tuesday 28: Hippo Campus; Wednesday 20: Phantogram; Thursday 30: Josh Turner; Friday 31: Mac McAnally. BRIDGESTONE ARENA: Tuesday 28: Rod Wave (rescheduled from earlier date); Friday 31: Kelsea Ballerini.
BEGINNING JANUARY 11TH
Nashville Predators
BRIDGESTONE ARENA, DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE | 7:00 PM
The Nashville Predators are in town for 6 dates in January. Game times are 7 p.m. unless noted. Saturday 11 vs. Washington Capitals, Tuesday 14 vs. Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday 16 vs. Chicago Blackhawks, Saturday 18 vs. Minnesota Wild, Tuesday 21 vs. San Jose Sharks, Wednesday 18 vs Vancouver Canucks (8 p.m.). NHL.com/predators
JANUARY 16TH
ArtsBellevue
FORD ICE CENTER, ONE BELLEVUE PLACE | 7:00 PM
Arts Bellevue presents Vue in the Round, an intimate singer-songwriter concert, in the second floor Listening Lounge at Ford Ice Center. Kick back and listen to some of Nashville’s most talented singers, songwriters, and musicians as they play, sing, and spin tales from their lives and careers. Most artists provide their music for sale at the event. ArtsBellevue.org
JANUARY 31ST - FEBRUARY 2ND
Antiques & Garden
Show Of Nashville
MUSIC CITY CENTER, DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE
The 35th Annual Antiques & Garden Shows of Nashville is a weekend of events, exhibits and educational opportunities. Proceeds will benefit Cheekwood and ECON Charities. This year’s Keynote Speaker–actress, author, model and entrepreneur, Brooke Shields–will speak on Friday, January 31 at 11 a.m. AntiquesAndGardenShow.com
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
This recipe is a classic favorite. If you cut the bars into 16 pieces, they are around 270 calories each. They are very filling, packed with healthy goodies and taste oh so delicious. If you can’t finish them yourself (it makes a lot!), bring samples along to your next workout class to share the love. Your accountability group will be asking you for the recipe! These come in handy for a quick breakfast on-the-go or an afternoon snack. You’ll want to taste these out of the oven once they cool a bit... simply scrumptious.
Combine:
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
• 2 cups oats
• 2/3 cup of your choice of chopped nuts
The beginning of the year is packed with inspiration and motivation to get back on track after a sweet-filled holiday season. It can feel extreme, and it also can be depleting to cut oneself off from everything indulgent after weeks of eating favorite sweet and savory recipes. For sugar lovers who believe going cold-turkey feels intimidating or overwhelming, nutrition-packed desserts are a great way to stick to healthy food goals without the guilt.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2/3 cup raisins
• Optional: chocolate chips as desired
• Optional: add additional seeds or nuts on hand such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
Notes: Boil quinoa at a 2:1 water to rice ratio. For estimating, 1/3 cup of uncooked quinoa yields 1 cup cooked quinoa.
Add this mixture slowly to combine:
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until when the edges get golden brown. Bake in a 9x13-inch glass dish. After they cool, slice and enjoy. Keep them covered to maintain freshness.
