ABOUT OUR
APPROACH
Old Mission Lifestyle Medicine is a new kind of health, wellness and longevity medical practice specializing in women's and men's health focused on evidence-based lifestyle adjustments — harnessing the power of a healthy diet, daily exercise, restorative sleep, mindfulness, enjoying healthy while avoiding risky substances, and positive relationships in preventing, treating and even reversing most medical problems.
We also incorporate bio-identical hormones, peptide therapy, medical weight loss, sexual health and advanced diagnostic testing to support and coach you in living your best. Life. optimized.
Dr. Chris Mason
(231) 260-4622
Founder and Lifestyle/Emergency Physician
Soon after starting his career in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Mason became frustrated with our Health Care system in that it seemed like it was all set up to sit around waiting for people to get sick and - even worse - in many ways, keep them sick, as opposed to helping them stay healthy and live their best lives. Staying healthy and out of the ER and hospital. Not needing to use their health insurance. Staying off or reducing their reliance on their medications. And the best part, fully understanding and appreciating how powerful they really are in that they are strong, meant to do hard things and they, themselves, are the ones who can define and live their very best life.
This naturally drew Dr. Mason to the practice of Lifestyle Medicine and launching Old Mission Lifestyle Medicine.
Dr. Wende Buras
Lifestyle/Emergency Physician
Its time to put the science back into the practice of medicine. Let’s identify and modify the causes of disease, rather than putting a band aid on or throwing another pill at the symptoms.
Dr. Wende Buras focuses on the pathways involved in causing the symptoms and helps to take steps to live your best life. Dr. Buras has a Master’s degree in Physiology, a PhD in Molecular and Cell biology, and a MD from Boston University School of Medicine. She completed her Emergency Medicine residency at Harvard University and was the first to have a basic science research laboratory in the Emergency Medicine department at Harvard. She is certified in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, as well as Board certified through ABEM in Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Buras’ focus is on researching and providing the building blocks to improve your quality of life. Whether it be stress management, antiaging, weight loss, skin image improvement, dietary make over, exercise for your body type or sleep improvement. She will walk you through and be by your side to live a better, more energic life at any age.
Holly Yauch MSN, RN
Practice Manager
Holly is a registered nurse with completion of family nurse practitioner master’s program and a paramedic at a local ambulance service. She currently works as the Practice Manager for Old Mission Medicine featuring four areas of specialty; Lifestyle Medicine, emergency medicine, IV nutrition, and aesthetics.
Holly currently resides in Irwin PA, but was raised in Clarksville Tennessee. She graduated from Yough High School, from Penn State University and finished her education at Carlow University. Her current goals are to assist with discovering and introducing healthy life styles to others. Hobbies she enjoys include crafting, spending time with her boys, and reading mystery books. Holly has a strong background in both pre-hospital and emergency medicine and understanding and experience with family practice.
Isaac Velarde
Nutritionist and Personal Trainer
Isaac is a certified Nutritionist and Personal Trainer for Old Mission Lifestyle Medicine. His passion is simple- to help others reach their fitness goals.
He struggled with weight since the young age of 8 years old. Later in life he made a decision to get healthy and change by embarking on a journey which led him to lose over 160 pounds In addition to his nutritionist work he has been a competitive bodybuilder and has been able to live a balanced fit lifestyle since his initial goal was obtained.
If you're trying to lose weight, gain lean muscle, improve joint strength, improve your balance and change bad eating habits, adding Isaac's 13-week structured program will help you achieve and surpass your goals.
Keith Bandli, MS, ATC/L
Fellow of Applied Functional Science
During his 20 years of clinical experience, he has developed a passion to help people move better, build strength and endurance, and enhance their quality of life. His education in the field is extensive, with a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training, and a master’s degree in Exercise Science. He also completed a two year-long fellowship at the Gray Institute (www.grayinstitute.com), along with several online and onsite classes studying Applied Functional Science, which highlights Physical, Biological, and Behavioral Sciences.
He has had extensive training in Biomechanics – learning how the body moves. Years of experience have demonstrated that for most, daily pain or discomfort stems from the muscle and joint imbalances that lead to posture changes and an inability to move with proper form. The corrective posture and movement patterns he employs allow the body to heal naturally and, most importantly, create a better quality of life.
Keith is an accomplished athletic trainer and has even completed specialized training to help golfers realize their potential through better movement. Keith’s tag line is Better Movement Matters and he couldn’t be more correct in that!
Lori Shemek
PhD, CNC
Lori Shemek, PhD CNC is a leading fat cell researcher, health expert, weight loss expert, keynote speaker, award-winning author and recognized authority on inflammation and its role in weight loss, preventing disease and optimizing health. Dr. Shemek is the bestselling author of four books: How To Fight FATflammation! (HarperCollins) and the bestselling author of Fire-Up Your Fat Burn! The Beginner’s Guide to Intermittent Fasting and The Ketogenic Key.
Dr. Lori Shemek is well known as a pioneer in creating global awareness of low-level inflammation and how it is responsible for and the core cause of most illness, disease, faster aging and weight gain. She’s been talking about inflammation long before it was a buzz word. Dr. Lori has uncovered the pathway to the core cause of weight: inflamed fat cells that not only promote unwanted excess weight gain and belly fat, but poor health as well.