Hidden Gems: Meet Sydne Ford of Spark Performance and Wellness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydne Ford. 

Hi Sydne, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up on the eastside of Detroit, where many people suffered from preventable chronic diseases while health clinics and hospital programs frequently closed and grocery stores moved to the suburbs. I realized at a young age that many diseases that we thought were inevitable because of genetics are actually correlated with many socioeconomic factors. I knew back then that I wanted to join a profession where I could educate my people to help prevent and/or manage chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. But I never dreamed of having a business. I just knew that I wanted to help people and my way of helping people was to become a physician. I am in the business of healing and realized that I would never truly be in control of the type of care I wanted to give if I continued to work for large health institutions. 

Fast forward to 2020. With the COVID19 pandemic came the opportunity to branch out on my own and start my own practice, offering virtual visits. I can now practice on my own terms because I am not pressured by time constraints or metrics placed by an organization whose bottom line is the dollar. My practice is a blend of traditional Family Medicine, Integrative Medicine and Functional Medicine, meaning I take an individualized approach to each patient in order to find the root cause of disease, bring the body back into balance and promote healing. Having my own practice allows me to spend as much time as I want with a patient and recommend what I feel is best. I am excited to say that we will start offering in-person visits in January 2022. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the struggles that I experienced, in the beginning, are mostly naysayers. We were not taught the business of medicine or entrepreneurship in medical school and over the years, small private practices have been acquired by large health institutions. Thus, there is a fear of branching out on your own in the medical community, as the process can be quite daunting. I live my life by faith and when I am led to move, I move. This is one of those instances and I am proud that I can lead by example and hopefully be an inspiration for the next generation of doctors who want to start their own practice. 

As you know, we’re big fans of Spark Performance and Wellness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At the heart of my practice is preventing, reversing, or managing chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, high blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease) through nutrition, movement, and mind-body medicine. I believe the best forms of medicine are prevention and education, and therefore I walk my patients through the things they can do to improve their lifestyle and minimize disease risk. 

I do a comprehensive assessment at the initial visit in order to partner with my patient and come up with a plan that is tailored to them. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, which is why the first visit is all about getting to know the patient, their lifestyle, and their concerns. The goal is to minimize the amount of medications that are needed however, they are still prescribed if/when needed. 

Spark Performance and Wellness is an integrated practice that is for the motivated patient who is ready to make true and long-lasting change! We also offer chiropractic care to our established wellness patients, athletes, and physically active individuals. 

What are your plans for the future?
I am constantly evolving and seeking additional training in order to grow my practice however there are no concrete plans for the near future, as the practice is still new. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.sparkwellnessga.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thehippiedoc
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/drsydneford
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/thehippiedoc