Melissa Dengler - Naturopathic Doctor (ND)

Upon completion of her residency Dr. Dengler returned to her home state of Pennsylvania and is now in private practice and teaches holistic nutrition and courses in health and wellness for several universities. In her practice, Dr. Dengler is pleased to offer natural health care for the whole family and specializes in food sensitivities and gastrointestinal conditions as well as women’s health and hormone balancing. She takes an individualized approach to health and is committed to supporting the body’s inherent ability to heal using natural therapies to restore health.

Dr. Melissa Dengler received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 2001. She received her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2005 and then completed a one year residency in family medicine at the Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center in Scottsdale, AZ with a special focus in homeopathy, environmental medicine and clinical nutrition.

For more information about naturopathic medicine or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dengler, please call our office at 814-720-4825.

Blair Erdeljac - Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner

Blair became a certified Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner through The Nutritional Therapy Association in 2014. Growing up on a small farm in Guys Mills sparked her interest in nature and science. While studying at Allegheny College, she majored in Biology, specifically focusing on Microbiology. After graduating from Allegheny, she studied at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health where she obtained a Masters of Science in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, and then worked as a research technician in an HIV laboratory. During her time as a microbiologist, she learned that the majority of our immune system is housed in our digestive tract. She became very interested in how the condition of the gut could impact the strength of the immune system and overall health. The more she learned about the gut, the more she grew passionate about nutrition. Today, she enjoys working with clients to create individualized nutrition and lifestyle plans to help them reach their health goals.

Blair has been an athlete most of her life, competing in cross country and track in high school and college, and later finding CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting. In 2016, she became a certified Sports Performance Coach through USA Weightlifting.

Her joy in life is raising her two small children, and spending time with friends and family.

Tara Graham - Health Coach

Tara Graham holds a variety of holistic health and fitness certifications. She has 20 years of experience as a Wellness Educator and Holistic Health Coach.  In addition to nutrition, her studies include yoga, Ayurveda and MindBody therapy. Her mission is to educate, inspire health and wellness, and guide lifestyle changes.

Tara’s unique style integrates the body, mind and spirit. She empowers her clients to live intentionally, tune into their inner voice, cultivate self-love, and make space for self-care. She brings a healing presence to her work through compassion, empathy, deep listening and communication skills. Her training in positive psychology, behavior modification coaching, and mindfulness provides her with a toolbox of techniques to help her clients understand how all areas of their lives are connected. Her philosophy is based on bio-individuality and believes everyone has a unique path that leads to wellness. She guides her clients to select the food and lifestyle choices that result in improving emotional, mental and physical balance.

Tara offers individual & group coaching, and workshops and seminars on health and wellness. She is an active backpacker and volunteers in the local community leading adventures. At home, she enjoys creating new recipes, reading and listening to podcasts on yoga, philosophy and science.

Judy Foster - Office Manager

Judy joined the Vitality team with a half century of retail experience. Seventeen of those years were with the former Lakewood Apothecary. She believes it is important to have access to quality supplements and knowledgeable advice on complementary health care. Judy is dedicated to the success of Lakewood Vitality Natural Health and Wellness Center. Her aim is to give the best personal customer service in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

Dawn Williams - Customer Service

Dawn has been passionate about holistic health for over 25 years and has worked in small retail supplement services for most of that time. Prior to that, Dawn earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from SUNY at Fredonia, NY. While one year of teaching was in a traditional school classroom, most of her teaching has been in church classrooms and the home instruction of her own 3 children! After Dawn was introduced to natural health, she was then able to receive training as a Certified Natural Health Professional. Dawn very much enjoys sharing knowledge of supplements, holistic methods, and alternative solutions with family, friends, and customers. Going to various classes for instruction from natural health experts is a favorite “hobby!”

Dawn lives in the Ashville, NY area and is married, with 3 adult children who are also married. She really enjoys time with her family, especially the blessing of 4+ grandbabies. Dawn loves to read, cook, bake, walk, sing, teach Pre-K, and play drums at church. It is her privilege to share herbal knowledge with others, expressing her gratitude for those gifts of the earth God created. Dawn may be new to Vitality Health and Wellness, but not new to loving holistic health and remedies; and she looks for opportunities to share products and services that will benefit and enhance the lives of those around her.

Shannon Lockwood - Customer Service

Shannon has lived in Chautauqua County her whole life and currently she resides near Bemus Point. She is married and has two adult children.

Shannon brings real-world experience and a passion for holistic wellness to her role at Vitality. Through her own health journey, she has gained valuable knowledge about natural remedies and their benefits. She is committed to helping customers find the right products to support their well-being and guiding them on their path to better health.

Shannon and her family like to take family vacations and camping trips. In her spare time she likes to read, bake, crochet, go on walks and spend time with her family and friends.

Teri Kress - Customer Service

Teri’s passion to help others achieve their best health has driven her education and professional life. Her education pursuit included Physical Education from SUNY Brockport , and Physical Therapy from SUNY Buffalo. Prior to joining Vitality, she enjoyed approximately 28 years as a Physical Therapist in both inpatient, outpatient facilities, and most recently as a homeware Physical Therapist. Two years ago, Teri extended her education and training to include our 4 legged friends. She is now successfully working part time as a warm water Canine Swim Coach at Sand Dancer Canine Swim in Orchard Park,NY. Throughout her life, she has always believed in eating well and taking supplements as an important part of maintaining good health. Vitality Health and Wellness gave Teri an opportunity to work part time and continue her passion to help others achieve their best health while providing her the flexibility to continue working with dog conditioning and massage.

Rebecca Langan - General Manager

Rebecca oversees the operations of Vitality’s 3 locations. With over 30 years of retail management, she has the experience to help Vitality grow and serve the Meadville, Grove City and Lakewood communities.

She has been a Certified Reflexologist since 2012. Rebecca was led to this decision after experiencing an unexplained health challenge that could have resulted in hospital procedures, however she remedied it with reflexology. Upon evaluating the purpose of this event, she realized it was her call to provide reflexology professionally to those who seek an alternative, drug free and a non-invasive healing option. Her personal reward is seeing the benefits her clients realize with her reflexology treatments.

Rebecca has walked her talk by living a healthy lifestyle, including eating unprocessed foods (mostly raw), using nutritional supplements, and getting adequate exercise. Her objective is to feel good every day! Reflexology has also been an important ingredient in her health protocol. She has been benefiting from reflexology since she was a young girl.

After working in the corporate world for many years, she moved on to co-creating a sustainable farm and natural bakery and was the general manager for a natural foods co-op for several years.

She enjoys growing much of her food, taking long walks in the woods among the wildlife, reading about the latest in health and nutrition, and caring for her furry family members. Each day she practices mindfulness and kindness as she travels her spiritual journey.

Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of primary health care – an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness. The practice of naturopathic medicine, founded upon a holistic philosophy, combines safe and effective traditional therapies with the most current advances in modern medicine. It strongly promotes individualized healthcare with the focus of treating the “whole person” through mind, body and spirit for optimum health. Click here to learn more about naturopathic medicine.

Health coaching is the new life coaching that involves functional nutrition and personalized protocols that include the psychological and the emotional aspects of life.  By using an effective and proven coaching process that works for everyone, a health coach can help get to the root cause of a individual’s “dis-ease” and unhappiness. Through education and engaging clients as active participants in the process, a health coach will support and help you live a fuller and more fulfilling life. Click here to learn more about health coaching.

The common adage of “Food is the best medicine” is a cornerstone of naturopathic practice.  Naturopaths understand that what we choose to eat directly influences every outcome of our health.  Without adequate nutrition, we cannot function properly. The body’s biochemistry is delicately balanced and thrives on key nutrients, antioxidant rich and toxin free foods. Click here to learn more about nutrition therapy.

Today, we are exposed to the greatest toxic load in the history of our planet. On-going periodic cleansing is essential to maintain health. The IonCleanse® system, in combination with a healthy, low-stress lifestyle, provides a thorough and efficient way to maintain high energy levels and long-term wellness. Click here to learn more about foot detox.