Fall 2025 | Health & Wellness

Leading the Change in Health and Wellness

Meet exceptional providers of local care.

Tahoe Forest Health System
Tahoe Forest Health System, located in the heart of Truckee and serving the greater North Lake Tahoe region, was recently named one of the top hospitals in the country that patients would highly recommend. From advanced diagnostic tools to specialty services, Tahoe Forest Health System offers comprehensive care backed by nationally recognized providers, all in a setting that feels both personal and accessible.

But what truly sets Tahoe Forest Health System apart is its commitment to community.

“Most of our dedicated staff, physicians, and care teams live and work in the mountains,” says Anna Roth, president and CEO of Tahoe Forest Health System. “They show up every day looking to raise the bar for exceptional care close to home.”

Tahoe Forest is more than just a place to go if you’re injured, sick, or in need of emergency care while visiting your second home. It’s a full-service health system that delivers expert care to both year-round residents and visitors from Reno, the Bay Area, and beyond. With board-certified physicians, a Level III trauma center, advanced cancer care at the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, a world-class orthopedic and sports medicine clinic, state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, and women’s health services, Tahoe Forest Health System has grown into a regional destination for high-quality health care.

Tahoe Forest’s commitment to its community is visible in countless ways — from developing school programs that teach children about nutrition and healthy habits to providing athletic trainers to support young local athletes on area ski and snowboard teams. In 2024 alone, Tahoe Forest Health System provided more than $11 million in community benefits, including wellness education, subsidized health programs, and free screenings.

“Our commitment to health goes far beyond the clinical care we offer. It includes nutrition education, health and wellness events, and sustainability efforts,” Roth says. “And more than a few people have stopped to tell me how good the food at the Pine Street Café in the Truckee hospital is!”

Even as the region grows and evolves, Tahoe Forest Health System remains committed to its mission of providing accessible, top-tier care to the people who live, work, and play here. Whether you’re a weekend visitor or a full-time resident, Tahoe Forest is ready to deliver the care you need with compassion, innovation, and a commitment to excellence.

For details, visit Tfhd.com.

Sierra Smiles Complete Health Dentistry/Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center
The doctors and staff members at Sierra Smiles Complete Health Dentistry and Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center offer a comprehensive approach to care that considers the whole person. Your oral health is deeply connected to your overall well-being, with links to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary issues, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Prioritizing your health is more important than simply relying on insurance coverage.

It’s a common scenario: You receive a treatment plan from your dentist outlining the procedures needed to maintain or restore your oral health. But instead of focusing on the health benefits, your first thought might be, “Will my insurance cover this?”

“While insurance can be helpful, it should never be the sole factor in determining your dental and medical care,” says Dr. John Bocchi, DDS, who owns the practice. “Remember, insurance companies are businesses, and their primary focus is managing risk and maximizing profit, not ensuring your optimal health.”

To give patients the freedom to make health decisions without insurance limitations, Sierra Smiles has introduced the Smile Advantage program. This dental savings program eliminates the headaches of pre-authorizations, pre-existing condition limits, deductibles, and waiting periods, which often prevent patients from receiving necessary care.

“This program empowers patients to prioritize their health,” Bocchi adds. “I’ve seen too many patients end up in severe pain or even hospitalized simply because they delayed dental or medical care due to insurance restrictions.”

At Sierra Smiles and Sierra Sleep Airway and Wellness Center, the skilled health care professionals are dedicated to diagnosing and treating oral conditions with your best interests at heart. They understand the critical connection between oral health and overall systemic health. Ignoring necessary treatments due to insurance restrictions can lead to more serious problems later, ultimately resulting in higher costs in both health and finances.

Your oral health is not just an expense; it’s an investment in your overall well-being. For details about how you can afford the care you need, visit Sierrasmiles.com or Sierrasleepwell.com.

NVision Optix
Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic, often debilitating condition that affects hundreds of millions worldwide. Characterized by persistent discomfort, blurred vision, and an unstable tear film, DED can significantly impair daily life. For those facing severe dry eye, especially individuals with autoimmune conditions, conventional treatments often provide only limited, short-term relief.

Serum tears offer a transformative alternative and are available at NVision Optix. Derived entirely from a patient’s own blood, these autologous eye drops offer a 100 percent natural and personalized solution that supports true corneal healing, rather than just temporary symptom relief.

What sets serum tears apart is their biologically rich composition. Unlike artificial tears that merely lubricate, serum tears deliver a potent, therapeutic blend of growth factors, vitamins, immunoglobulins, and essential proteins naturally found in healthy human tears. These critical components are key to corneal integrity, stimulating epithelial cell regeneration, reducing inflammation, and accelerating tissue repair. For patients with a damaged ocular surface and impaired natural healing, this regenerative support is invaluable.

Another defining advantage of serum tears is their biocompatibility. Because they originate from the patient’s own body, the risk of allergic reactions or sensitivities is extremely low. This makes them ideal for individuals who have adverse responses to preservatives or chemicals found in conventional eye drops. Their preservative-free formulation also allows for frequent, long-term use without the cumulative toxicity that can accompany traditional therapies.

Clinical studies consistently highlight the remarkable effectiveness of serum tears in improving both symptoms and ocular health. Patients often report significant reductions in eye discomfort, tearing, and light sensitivity, along with measurable improvements in tear film stability and corneal surface integrity.

For those with autoimmune diseases or treatment-resistant dry eye, serum tears can be nothing short of life-changing, restoring comfort, clarity, and confidence. The process is simple: It begins with a routine blood draw, followed by specialized preparation. In about a week, the personalized drops are ready. For many patients, the results speak for themselves with long-lasting relief, enhanced visual function, and a renewed quality of life.

For details about how serum tears can transform your dry eye experience, contact NVision Optix today or visit Nvisionoptix.com.

CoolSculpting by Marci
Fall back into your best self with CoolSculpting. Say goodbye to stubborn fat and hello to a more confident you. CoolSculpting is a noninvasive procedure that helps reduce fat in areas of your body such as the chin, abdomen, love handles, thighs, and arms. Whether it’s a way to supplement your fitness progress or a means to motivate you to get started, CoolSculpting is a fantastic option. The procedure requires no surgery or incisions, there is little downtime, and most people can resume their normal activities soon after the procedure. For details or to schedule treatment, visit Bodysculptingbymarci.com.