Women’s health is a lifelong journey. From adolescence and pregnancy to midlife transitions and menopause, women’s healthcare needs naturally evolve. No matter the stage of life, Williamson Health is committed to helping women live their healthiest lives.

“As women mature, their health needs continue to change,” said Michele Simpson, chief marketing and communications officer for Williamson Health. “Every woman’s journey is unique, and we strive to meet women where they are with exceptional, personalized care.”

That commitment has earned national recognition. Williamson Medical Center, the system’s flagship facility, recently received nine 2026 Women’s Choice^® Awards for patient experience, obstetrics, comprehensive breast care, and overall women’s services. CareChex^®ranked the hospital among the top 10% nationwide for medical excellence in women’s health, Forbes included it in its inaugural Top Hospitals 2026 list, and Newsweek named it among the World’s Best Hospitals for 2026.

With high-quality care close to home, Williamson Health’s physicians and advanced practice providers are ready to support women of all ages.

Young Adults: Building a Healthy Foundation

“Young adulthood is a critical time for establishing the habits that support lifelong health,” Simpson said. “Regular checkups, proper nutrition, and physical activity all play an important role.”

Primary care providers monitor key health indicators and help identify concerns early. Beginning annual gynecological visits also helps young women build relationships with trusted providers who can offer guidance and preventive care, laying the foundation for long-term wellness.

Williamson Health offers convenient access to proactive care through the diverse group of primary care physicians in Williamson Health Medical Group, as well as two OB/GYN practices — Vanderbilt Franklin Women’s Center and Women’s Group of Franklin — affiliated with Williamson Medical Center.

Mid-20s and 30s: Family Planning and Preventive Care

During this stage of life, many women focus on building careers, starting families, and maintaining overall wellness. Preventive care becomes especially important, including annual exams, reproductive health services, and routine screenings such as Pap smears for cervical cancer.

For expectant mothers, Williamson Medical Center provides nationally recognized obstetrics (OB) and neonatal intensive care units (NICU), along with comprehensive maternal support. Recent upgrades to Labor and Delivery and Postpartum Recovery include spacious, modern rooms designed for comfort.

Michael DeRoche, M.D., and Chelsea Clinton, M.D., Williamson Health’s maternal-fetal specialists, offer guidance to women facing high-risk pregnancies or pregnancy complications. Additionally, Williamson Health’s Urogynecology and Pelvic Health team can help women dealing with complex gynecological conditions or sexual health issues, such as pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, endometriosis, fibroids, and more.

40s and 50s: Managing Midlife Changes

Hormonal shifts in the 40s and 50s can bring perimenopause, menopause, and a variety of physical and emotional changes. Health priorities include managing symptoms, maintaining heart and bone health, and staying current with recommended screenings. “It’s important that women begin yearly mammograms at age 40, and all adults should begin colorectal cancer screenings at 45,” Simpson said.

Williamson Health’s Turner-Dugas Breast Health Center, nationally recognized by the Women’s Choice Awards, provides expert, compassionate care for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Additionally, convenient access to the Williamson Health Outpatient Imaging Center ensures rapid results, reducing anxiety and expediting treatment.

Williamson Health’s Turner-Dugas Breast Health Center, nationally recognized by the Women’s Choice Awards, provides expert, compassionate care for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Additionally, convenient access to the Williamson Health Outpatient Imaging Center ensures rapid results, reducing anxiety and expediting treatment.

60s and Beyond: Staying Strong and Independent

Later in life, women often focus on managing chronic conditions, preserving mobility and bone health, preventing falls, and staying physically and mentally active.

Williamson Health offers tailored care, including routine screenings, chronic disease management, nutrition guidance, and support for healthy aging. Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee providers and rehabilitation specialists are important resources for women who want to strengthen bone health and density, recover safely from injuries, or maintain the strength and mobility needed for daily life.

Williamson Health can help you navigate your health journey at every stage of life. Learn more at WilliamsonHealth.org.

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I have been on an insulin resistance soapbox with my patients for at least a decade. In extremely simple terms, insulin resistance is a super-tired pancreas that cannot keep up with the level of glucose in the bloodstream. I cannot count how many times I have uncovered insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, or even full-fledged diabetes in the unsuspecting patient. I frequently remind patients that, in today’s world, unless you’re intentionally supporting insulin sensitivity through your lifestyle and nutrition choices, you may be unknowingly overworking your pancreas.

Having elevated glucose in your bloodstream is about one of the most poisonous things you have lurking in your body. High glucose levels destroy tissues, cause cellular dysfunction, and lead to rampant inflammation. This is why the pancreas releases insulin when glucose levels rise, to bring them back down. Dr. Casey Means stated in her book Good Energy, “Refined added sugar causes astronomically more deaths and disability per year than COVID-19 and fentanyl overdoses combined. We need to see refined sugar for what it is: an addictive, dangerous drug that has been included in 74 percent of the foods in the U.S. food system and for which the body needs zero grams in a lifetime.” 

Currently, our country is in an insulin resistance and obesity crisis. If you have not yet read The MAHA Report, created by the Make America Healthy Again Commission, I would encourage you to do so. The link is provided at the bottom of this article for reference, but let’s review a few of the extremely sobering findings from the report. One in five children over the age of six is obese, 75% of American youth are ineligible for military service primarily due to obesity and Diabetes, and 70% of children’s calories come from ultra-processed foods. 

After examining the realities surrounding nutrition and chronic disease in our country, it’s time to look at the cultural shift in health that this new food pyramid brings. Its core message is refreshingly simple: focus on eating real food, defined as whole, unprocessed, non-modified foods. This shift would transform our country’s health crisis, and the new food pyramid promotes real food, which is a huge win.

No one can argue that ultra-processed food is healthy. In fact, after the introduction of processed foods in the 1950s, our rates of obesity have tripled. According to Dr. Casey, these ultra-processed industrial foods are chemically engineered to be addictive and make up nearly 70 percent of the calories that people in the United States consume today.

I encourage my patients to eat as many different whole foods as they can. I try to use simple suggestions, such as having as many colors on their plate as possible or making a 10-plant smoothie. I encourage shopping at the farmers’ market to support local farmers and try new foods. The diversity in whole foods feeds the microbiota (the trillions of bacteria living in our gut) and microbiome (the ecosystem of our GI tract). Eating as many colors as possible provides our bodies with essential phytonutrients that support cellular function and detoxification. 

The new food pyramid also prioritizes protein. Again, I encourage my patients to get protein from trusted sources as local and organic as possible. A steak from your local farmer via a cow raised on grass is completely different from a steak from a cow raised on corn in a feedlot. Protein is essential to helping us not overeat, maintaining muscle mass, and promoting cellular recovery. Realfood.gov provides appropriate portion sizes and daily protein recommendations based on your age and size. 

A note on fats. The new food pyramid advises using olive oil, butter, or beef tallow instead of seed oils. It still advises that this should be a very small percentage of daily calories consumed. When in doubt, use olive oil. It has been around for thousands of years and has stood the test of time. Personally, I look forward to seeing more unbiased studies on seed oils in the future, not biased by the food industry. 

Lastly, if you take nothing else from the new pyramid, take this away. Sugar is not on the new pyramid at all with excellent reason. If Americans could modify their intake of unnecessary sugar, we could make a shift in our health crisis. Critics want to highlight the controversial points, such as dairy and red meat being prioritized on the food pyramid, but let’s focus on the huge wins of this shift rather than getting lost in the weeds. 

STEPHANIE FENNEMA, PA-C, has been a Physician assistant for 20 years. She started her career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s surgical PA program and has never lost her love for surgery and sutures. She has functional medicine training through the Institute for Functional Medicine and spent nine years working alongside a functional medicine MD.

The post The Food Pyramid Gets a Makeover appeared first on Williamson County Living.

Spring invites renewal. Windows open, clutter clears, and many head outside to prepare gardens. Yet in all this external renewal, the most important garden gets overlooked: the one inside the body.

As a longevity specialist and founder of Hearth & Health, I learned that the gut microbiome — the trillions of bacteria living in the digestive tract — functions exactly like a garden. I came to understand this lesson years ago in my garden at the feet of the Blue Ridge Mountains—that in the same way soil nourishes a backyard garden, the gut microbiome shapes whether we thrive or merely survive.

The Lesson in the Dirt

Determined to grow beautiful organic vegetables, I planted with enthusiasm. But the garden failed miserably. Blight, mildew, and insects descended. I treated every visible problem as it appeared — spraying here, adjusting there — convinced that if I could just manage the surface chaos, everything would flourish.

Nothing worked. Then a local gardening guru delivered the hard truth. “It’s about the soil, Lori. You’ve got to build the soil.” No quick fixes or sprays. Just a redirection downward, beneath the struggling plants, into the dark earth itself. “What you see above the ground is just a manifestation of what’s going on below the surface,” I was told. “Stay focused and keep building your healthy soil.”

Following this advice, I stopped waging war against every visible pest. Instead, I worked with the rhythm of the garden itself. I added minerals to balance the soil, rotated crops to restore depleted nutrients, and composted kitchen scraps into rich organic matter. Layer by layer, season by season, I built an ecosystem, not a battleground.

Slowly, my garden was transformed. The plants reflected the care happening below, becoming resilient enough to fight off threats. That garden taught me the cornerstone of my work with clients: symptoms can’t be treated on the surface if the foundation beneath is broken.

The Body’s Internal Soil

As I explain to clients, your gut is the body’s foundation — the internal soil from which all vitality grows. Within your digestive system lives a vast community of trillions of microorganisms. This microbiome regulates your metabolism, produces 90% of your serotonin and other hormones, manufactures dopamine and GABA, and houses two-thirds of your immune system. Yet modern life assaults this ecosystem. Processed foods, chronic stress, poor sleep, antibiotics, environmental toxins, and sedentary lifestyles all erode microbial diversity. The result? A compromised soil.

Rebuilding the Foundation

The beautiful truth? The microbiome can be restored. The body has a remarkable capacity to heal when given what it needs. My approach starts with these foundational steps:

Eat for the microbes. A fiber-rich, colorful variety of vegetables and plant foods. Fiber feeds beneficial gut bacteria.

Include healthy fats. Avocados, nuts, olive oil, and omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and support vitamin absorption.

Reduce irritants. Limiting processed foods, refined grains, and added sugars prevents feeding harmful bacteria and fueling inflammation.

Consider a quality probiotic. Unlike conventional probiotics that often don’t survive stomach acid, spore-based probiotics can reach the intestines and help restore balance.

Move regularly. Daily walking and strength training support gut motility and reduce stress.

Prioritize rest. Quality sleep allows the gut to repair and heal.

Eliminate toxins where possible. Choosing organic foods when possible, swapping conventional cleaning products for natural solutions, and replacing toxic personal care products with safer alternatives all support gut health.

Rethink antibacterial products. Antibacterial soaps don’t discriminate between good and bad bacteria. Instead, use regular soap and water for everyday cleaning so as not to kill the good bacteria.

Reconnect with nature. Time outdoors introduces beneficial microbes that support immune and gut function.

Lori Zabka is a Longevity Specialist and the Founder of Hearth & Health. For additional information, visit hearthandhealth.org or book a free connection call at (434) 227-8141. Follow on social media @hearth_and_health.

The post Spring Cleaning for Your Body Why Your Gut is Like a Garden appeared first on Williamson County Living.

In today’s always-on world, stress seems to have become an accepted part of modern life. Between professional demands, family life, and the constant digital distraction, stress bombards us every day. Though it is most commonly linked to negatively impacting mental and cardiovascular health, stress’s effect on oral health is frequently overlooked—yet significant.

Dr. Cone, with OMS Nashville, is Dual-Board Certified, a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and the National Board of Dental Anesthesiology, and is very familiar with the effects of stress on oral health.

Stress can quietly manifest in the mouth long before patients realize anything is wrong. “Oral health is deeply connected to what’s happening elsewhere in the body,” Dr. Cone explained. “When stress becomes chronic, it doesn’t just alter sleep or mood—it shows up in jaw tension, inflammation, decreased immunity, and even infection.”

One of the most common stress-related conditions dentists and oral surgeons encounter is bruxism, or teeth grinding. Often occurring during sleep, bruxism can wear down enamel, fracture teeth and restorations, and place excessive strain on the jaw joint. Patients may wake up with headaches, facial soreness, or stiffness without immediately connecting those symptoms to stress.

One of the best ways to prevent grinding teeth at night is to wear a mouthguard while sleeping. Without treatment for teeth grinding, one can break or crack teeth or wear them down, which may ultimately lead to damage that cannot be repaired. Teeth may require surgical removal or dental implants to replace them.

Beyond grinding, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can also be exacerbated by stress. TMJ disorders include a variety of conditions affecting the joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull, as well as the muscles responsible for chewing. Symptoms may include jaw pain, stiffness, or clicking and popping sounds during movement. These issues arise when the jaw joints and the muscles of mastication (chewing muscles) are not functioning correctly together.

Advances in diagnostic techniques and treatment options have made TMJ disorders more readily identifiable and manageable. It should be noted that certain TMJ conditions can progress if left untreated, making early evaluation and appropriate care an essential role in preventing more serious complications. “The jaw is a natural place where people hold tension,” Dr. Cone noted. “When stress isn’t addressed, the constant muscle tension can lead to headaches, facial pain, and joint discomfort.”

Even though occasional periods of stress occur every day, prolonged daily stress can gradually undermine the body’s immune defenses. Cortisol plays an essential role in regulating the body’s inflammation, but when chronic stress disrupts that normal function, inflammatory responses can become out of control.

Over time, this imbalance may affect overall health and the condition of the mouth and gums, making the gums more susceptible to infection and slower to heal after dental procedures. This can increase the risk of periodontal disease, which has been linked not only to tooth loss but also to broader systemic conditions such as high blood pressure, gastrointestinal issues, or back pain, to mention a few.

A warning sign that is regularly overlooked is dry mouth, which can be caused by stress or by medications used to manage anxiety. With less saliva to naturally protect teeth and gums, bacteria can multiply more easily, increasing the risk of cavities and leaving the mouth feeling uncomfortable and dry.

At OMS Nashville, Dr. Cone takes a comprehensive approach—one that looks beyond isolated symptoms. “We encourage patients to see oral health as part of their overall wellness,” he said. “Sometimes treating the physical issue also means addressing the lifestyle factors contributing to it.”

That approach may include custom oral appliances to protect teeth from grinding, minimally invasive surgical procedures when necessary, and close coordination with general dentists and other healthcare providers. Equally important is patient education. Helping patients understand the connection between stress and oral health equips people to make life changes and adopt habits that go far beyond the dental chair.

Simple strategies—like improving sleep quality, managing daily stress, and maintaining consistent oral hygiene—can have a meaningful impact. Routine dental checkups are also an integral part, enabling early detection of potential issues before they become more serious.

In a time when holistic wellness is gaining more attention, oral health deserves a seat at the table. With proper oral care and awareness, it can lead to improved habits, lasting comfort, and a stronger foundation for overall well-being and oral health. As Dr. Cone emphasized, “The mouth is not isolated from the rest of the body—it is an integral part of overall health. When we listen carefully to the signs it provides, we often identify conditions that extend well beyond the teeth and gums. Routine dental care is critical to detect and manage oral disease early, often preventing the need for more invasive surgical intervention and reducing the risk of systemic health consequences.”

Dr. Cone joined OMS Nashville in 2020 and enjoys practicing a full scope of oral surgery, including wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, orthognathic surgery, facial cosmetics, TMJ, and oral pathology. To make an appointment, call (931) 208-0216 or visit omsnashville.com.

The post The Silent Impact of Stress On Your Oral Health appeared first on Williamson County Living.

Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee understands how important convenient, high-quality orthopaedic care is — especially as Spring Hill and the surrounding communities continue to grow. That’s why their Spring Hill clinic and urgent care make it easier than ever to receive the expert care you need, right around the corner.

Convenient Services in Your Neighborhood

Located at the intersection of Port Royal Road and Duplex Road, the Spring Hill clinic offers a full range of orthopaedic services in a modern, welcoming environment. Patients no longer need to wait months for an appointment or drive long distances to receive exceptional care.

Services include:

• Orthopaedic Urgent Care – Open 7 Days a Week
• Physical Therapy and Occupational / Hand Therapy
• Physician Clinics with Sub-Specialty Fellowship Trained Physicians

Certified advanced practice providers staff the urgent care clinic and treat everything from broken bones and acute injuries to chronic orthopaedic conditions. Walk-ins are welcome, and same-day appointments are available and can be conveniently scheduled online. Patients can also benefit from comprehensive rehabilitation services offered right on-site. With both physical and occupational therapy programs available, residents of Spring Hill and the surrounding communities have convenient access to personalized care designed to restore strength, improve mobility, and support a full return to daily activities.

Specialized Orthopaedic Expertise

For more complex needs, the Spring Hill location offers access to fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons, who rotate through the clinic on a weekly basis, with diverse sub-specialties:

• Matt Anderson, M.D.
   Specializing in sports medicine, Dr. Anderson has served as a team physician for the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), U.S. Ski & Snowboard, and local Williamson County high schools. He brings a broad range of experience treating athletes at every level of competition.

• Keith Granger, D.O.
   An interventional physiatrist specializing in non-operative spine care, Dr. Granger focuses on diagnosing and treating spine conditions through image-guided injections and comprehensive rehabilitation plans.

• Preet Gurusamy, M.D.
   A specialist in hip and knee replacement, including robotic-assisted procedures, Dr. Gurusamy is passionate about advancing joint replacement techniques for better patient outcomes.

• Saurabh Mehta, M.D.
   Focused on hand and upper extremity care, Dr. Mehta brings specialized expertise and a patient-centered approach to diagnosing and treating conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder.

These physicians also practice at Bone and Joint Institute’s main location in Franklin. Still, their availability and presence in Spring Hill make it easier for local patients to access specialized care.

Care That Feels Like Home

The Spring Hill clinic is part of Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee’s broader commitment to providing exceptional, convenient care for patients of all ages. From diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation, their providers work closely with each patient to develop a personalized care plan that supports recovery and long-term wellness.

Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing chronic joint pain, or healing a sudden injury, expert help is just around the corner — and they’re here to help you start fresh and strong. To view clinic hours, make an appointment, or meet the team, visit boneandjointtn.org/spring-hill.

ANGIE VAN UTRECHT, MHA, is the Director of Operations for Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee. 

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Wise choices made today can help you live your golden years with vitality. Lori Zabka, founder of Hearth & Health, is passionate about helping her clients remain active and healthy as they age. During our conversation with Zabka, she shared her thoughts and philosophy on wellness for aging adults.

Describe the overall concept of Hearth & Health.

Hearth & Health is a comprehensive in-home wellness service designed specifically for adults 60 and over who want to stay strong, independent, and thriving.

I founded Hearth & Health because I saw a gap that needed to be filled. Our healthcare system does an incredible job with acute care — doctors manage disease, home aides help with daily tasks — but there’s a missing link. I realized that many seniors don’t really know how to build strength, reduce inflammation, optimize sleep, or fuel their bodies for longevity. That’s the gap Hearth & Health fills.

I go to my clients’ homes and work with them one-on-one to address what’s really driving decline — chronic inflammation, poor sleep, stress, weak muscles, inadequate nutrition. Everything is personalized to their body, their goals, and their actual life. My mission is simple: help people age with power, not surrender — so they can live life exactly the way they want to.

What is your background, and how did you become passionate about helping seniors age well with your holistic program?

I am a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Functional Nutrition Counselor, and Senior Fitness Specialist. I started working with clients one-on-one in their homes 20 years ago and saw how impactful it is to work in someone’s actual space — you see their real barriers and meet them where they are.

Each time I worked with a client over 60, I heard the same frustration: they felt left out of the wellness conversation. And they were right. The wellness industry targets younger adults with messaging about fat loss, performance, and high-intensity workouts. Unfortunately, people over 60 are an afterthought. Most protocols assume fast recovery, strong digestion, normal insulin sensitivity, and minimal joint issues—but those assumptions no longer apply to older adults.

That put a burden on my heart, and I realized I wanted to focus all my efforts toward helping this population truly thrive. That’s why Hearth & Health exists.

Why is it so important as we age to incorporate a service like Hearth & Health?  

As we age, the rules change. There’s less of a focus on six-pack abs and the latest biohacks, not that a toned, fit body isn’t achievable, but getting there requires some rerouting. Attention needs to shift toward the foundational factors that actually determine quality of life: mitochondrial function, muscle preservation, bone density, stress management, gut health, cognitive protection, balance, and functional independence —the ability to do what you want, when you want, without help.

These aren’t the flashy things you see on social media, but they’re the real work of enjoying longevity—a greater healthspan, not just a longer lifespan.

Here’s the problem: most people don’t know where to start, or they try to approach this stage with the same strategies that worked in their 30s and 40s. But the body doesn’t respond the same way anymore. Muscle loss accelerates. Recovery is slower. Inflammation is higher. Hormones have shifted. Digestion isn’t as efficient. 

But there’s good news! These challenges aren’t permanent. Muscle loss can be reversed. Inflammation can be reduced. Digestion can be restored. Sleep can improve. But it requires a different approach — one tailored to how your body works now.

That’s why a program like Hearth & Health is so important. It’s designed specifically for this stage of life and addresses root causes in the correct order, because staying independent, strong, and capable isn’t just luck or good genetics. It’s a strategy — and most people have never been taught what that strategy looks like after 60.

What makes Hearth & Health different, and do you offer medical or personal care services?

I come directly to my clients — no travel, no stress. Working in their actual environment means truly personalized support that fits their real life, and that’s what makes lasting change possible.

I use a signature method called the Stair-Step Method that creates a solid foundation for building strength. Often, a client comes to me thinking they need to get stronger — but if they aren’t sleeping well, managing stress, or dealing with chronic inflammation, their body cannot build muscle. It’s in survival mode, not building mode.

So we start with the first step: Remove inflammatory triggers, Restore gut health, Manage Stress, Optimize Sleep, then Strengthen safely, and Sustain those habits for life. This is the right order — and what most people have never been taught.

To be clear: Hearth & Health is not medical care or personal assistance. I offer proactive wellness coaching designed to keep clients strong, nourished, confident, and independent.

Who is your ideal client?

My ideal client refuses to accept that their best years are behind them. They’re willing to learn, try new things, and believe change is possible at 60 and beyond.

I work with those who are already thriving and want to stay at the top of their game, as well as those facing mobility challenges, chronic conditions, or disease states who wish to remain independent at home. What both have in common is a commitment to their own well-being and a willingness to invest in their quality of life.

Who provides the services for Hearth & Health?

I am the founder and lead wellness specialist, bringing over 20 years of experience. I’m a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Functional Nutrition Counselor, Certified Personal Trainer, Senior Fitness Specialist, and member of the National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC) — a collaborative network dedicated to helping older adults live independently at home. I continually integrate the latest research into my practice to provide safe, effective, personalized support.

Does Hearth & Health accept insurance?

To provide individualized, flexible support, sessions are offered on a private-pay basis. Hearth & Health can provide a receipt for HSA or FSA reimbursement.

What is your number one piece of advice to seniors about staying healthy?

It’s never too late, but it does get harder the longer you wait. The body is incredibly resilient — muscles can rebuild, inflammation can be reversed, balance can be restored—but chronic inflammation over time leads to conditions that become harder to unravel.

I tell my clients to think of this stage like training for the ultimate marathon. What are your goals? Travel? Staying active? Running after grandkids? Starting a new business? You’ll need a strong, healthy body — and that doesn’t happen by accident.

The best time to start was yesterday. But today will do. Don’t wait for a fall or diagnosis. Start now. Build strength now. Because the life you want in your 70s, 80s, and beyond depends on what you do today!

For additional information or to book a free consultation call, visit hearthandhealth.org or call (434) 227-8141. Follow on social media @hearth_and_health.

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