More than a year after Ponte Vedra Wellness Center opened its second location in Nocatee, founder and practice owner Dr. Erika Hamer is confident her business is succeeding there because of support from the community, and it’s her mission now to pay it forward.
“Without people in the community, without our patients, without everybody being so welcoming and allowing me to be part of the community, I wouldn’t be here,” said Hamer, whose office is located within the Nocatee Town Center next to Watson Realty. “I want to do something to give back. It’s about being able to serve others.”
Opened in November 2016, the Nocatee office offers the community all the same services as the center’s Ponte Vedra Beach location, including chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, physical therapy and rehab services, personal training and nutrition counseling, therapeutic massage and community health events. Hamer said her team has worked over the past year, however, to understand the specific interests and needs of the Nocatee community and tailor its offerings accordingly.
Many of their patients, she said, are active individuals over 65 who are inhibited by conditions such as herniated discs and are seeking therapy to resume their active lifestyles. As a result, Hamer said her team is focusing their services and several of their events on how to stay active without incurring injury. For example, she plans to hold more free stretching classes over the next year.
“There are a lot of fitness facilities within Del Webb and the Nocatee fitness center,” said Hamer, who added that the center also sees many families. “We want to make sure they’re able to utilize those facilities to the fullest ability.”
To thank these new patients for contributing to the office’s first year of business, the wellness center is hosting a one-year anniversary party and wellness event March 23 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will feature fitness demonstrations and chair massages as well as highlight the wellness center’s offerings. The event will also highlight nearby Nocatee Town Center businesses to showcase their services, which is extremely important to Hamer.
“If we bring in other business partners, we’re also helping small business owners,” said Hamer, who also emphasizes the importance of participating in community wide events like the Nocatee Farmers Market. “And I think that’s a major part of what a community stands for.”
Participating businesses will include Blue Water Dental, Coastal Wine Market, Ponte Vedra Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, State Farm Insurance, Trompe L’oeil Luxury Hair Salon, Watson Realty Corp. and Wise Women Gynecology.
In addition to the event, the wellness center’s Nocatee location is extending two special anniversary offers. For new patients, the practice is offering an initial visit, consisting of an exam, treatment recommendations and a half hour fitness assessment, for $49. The wellness center is also offering current patients two personal fitness training sessions for the same price.
Overall, Hamer is working hard to integrate the wellness center into the Nocatee neighborhood and is looking forward to serving more patients within the community.
“The first year has been great,” she said. “It’s been wonderful to be in the Nocatee community and to really grow as the community grows.”
