Dr. Devaleriola (Chelsey), is the founder and clinic director of Sacred Roots Wellness. She is a board-certified Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a Registered Acupuncturist. Her passion lies in the delivery of integrative patient-focused healthcare. Prior to studying Eastern Medicine, she spent six years as a Registered Nurse with Alberta Health Services, working in emergency medicine and acute care.
Chelsey graduated with her Doctorate Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in June 2022, and knew that by the late fall she wanted to have her practice up and running in Drumheller – she just wasn’t sure where. She searched commercial listings and found a few options, eventually settling on a smaller, downtown space. While growth and expansion were always part of her five-year plan, a smaller more manageable space made sense to start. Her goal was to build a clinic that would bridge the gap between Eastern and Western Medicine.
By the time Chelsey was introduced to Community Futures Big Country she had a business plan ready and funding in place. Of course, opening a business occasionally involves unforeseen expenses, so when Chelsey heard about a local loan program, she decided to investigate. By the time she connected with Community Futures the bulk of the designated funds had been allocated. Despite unfortunate timing, the team found a way to help her out anyway. She was impressed by their willingness, the speed at which they moved, their incentives, and the countless number of times they offered guidance and support. “The care that I received was exceptional from everyone that I came across. They have incredible programs and I wish everyone in the community knew about them.”
After securing a small loan she was ready to launch. Sacred Roots wellness opened in November to a response that Chelsey describes as, “off the charts!”. She currently sees 50-60 patients weekly and adds names to the wait list daily.
Many factors have led to the clinic’s early success. Chelsey’s background in Western Medicine helped her establish credibility, while her relationships with local medical practitioners have allowed for innovative collaboration. Her clinic team now includes a Naturopathic Doctor, a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, and it doesn’t look as through the growth will stop there. In fact, we’re now dubious of her five-year plan … betting she’ll need a larger clinic much, much sooner!
