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About Us

Established with the mission to revolutionize health and wellness, The Healthplex embarked on its journey in Wheeling, WV, determined to provide a refreshing alternative to the traditional methods of treating chronic health issues. Our founders, a dedicated team of experts in the field of functional medicine, were disheartened by the recurring cycle of symptomatic treatments that fail to address the root cause of health issues.

Feel your best, prevent disease,
and treat chronic conditions at their root

MEET OUR TEAM

YOUR TEAM OF FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE DOCTORS IN WHEELING, WV

Ryan Ferns - Founder

Ryan Ferns' passion for helping others emerged early in his life, fueled by his active involvement in sports and a keen interest in physical therapy. After earning his degree, he pursued a career as a physical therapist, only to find that the constraints imposed by health insurance severely limited his ability to provide the care his patients needed. Determined to make a real difference, Ferns transitioned to medicine, attending Yale School of Medicine. However, he soon discovered similar frustrations in the medical field, where the brief patient interactions did not align with his vision of care.

Driven by a commitment to offer comprehensive, personalized healthcare, Ryan Ferns ventured into functional medicine, training at the Institute for Functional Medicine. Here, he embraced advanced scientific treatments and methodologies that resonated with his philosophy of care. This journey led to the creation of The Healthplex, a pioneering functional health practice where Ryan Ferns and his team of experts deliver the profound, holistic care he always envisioned.

Ashley Ferns - Health Coach

Ashley Ferns is a Certified Functional Health Coach specializing in functional health and mindset practices. Her personal triumph over infertility ignited a deep passion for helping others navigate similar challenges. After six years of struggle—including multiple miscarriages, failed IVF cycles, mold toxicity, and surgery for uterine polyps—Ashley’s relentless pursuit of healing led her to functional medicine and mindfulness, ultimately fulfilling her dream of motherhood.

Now, alongside her husband, Ryan, Ashley is dedicated to empowering individuals through health, nutrition, and transformative mindset shifts. She provides guidance on functional health, helping women become self-advocates for their fertility, hormones and overall well-being. Ashley believes that true health begins with education, empowerment, and taking control of one’s own body.

Through her brand, Ashley shares her journey to break the stigma around women's health, offering support, resources, and a community for those seeking hope and healing.

Christa Giordano - Fitness Coach

As the lead fitness coach at the Healthplex, Christa is passionate about helping people find what fitness means to them. She started coaching in 2008 and loves helping people surpass the goals they set and accomplish more than they ever thought possible. She focuses on functional movement that translates into day-to-day life. Christa is passionate about helping people understand the importance of increasing mobility and strength. She believes it is possible to find ways to work around any injuries or limitations you have, and she will help build your confidence in yourself through fitness. Our clients appreciate the way she eases them into movements and the support she provides throughout their fitness journey.

Wendy Kubala - Program Coordinator and Health Coach

Wendy started her professional career as a Certified Athletic Trainer (A.T.C.), working for the Cleveland Clinic for over 15 years. During that time, she had the opportunity to work with professional, collegiate, and high school athletes who were training at the highest levels. Wendy loved every minute of her career until the license she worked so hard to get was no longer accepted through commercial insurance companies. This led Wendy to go back to school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). In 2017, she was hired at The Healthplex to be the clinic director and to assist with marketing. On a personal note, Wendy has experienced her own health journey using functional medicine and discovering the root causes of her health issues. She lost 130 lbs in ten months and now feels as she did in her twenties. The one thing Wendy says to everyone is that if she can do it, so can you. others.

Jeremy Puglisi - CFO and “Tech Guru”

Jeremy Puglisi is the CFO at The Healthplex as well as the “tech guru”. He joined The Healthplex in 2014 and has worn many hats during his time in the facility. Jeremy started his health journey back in 2022 by going through a wellness program of his own. “The changes that I got from working through the program have been life-changing. I was a terrible sleeper and had a lot of inflammation, especially in my knees among other issues. After completing my program those issues have greatly improved or been completely eliminated!” When he is not at The Healthplex Jeremy loves to spend his time on the golf course or walking around Oglebay Park with his wife Heather and dog Libby.

Here's what it's like

Working with our Team...

"I was overweight, had back pain and am a diabetic. I saw the ad on fb for a program that could help me with all three. I went to the seminar and was impressed with what Ryan had to say. He had a lot to offer me. I’m so grateful to all the staff for their knowledge, understanding and ability to help me through this journey. I knew our food and products were enhanced to the point where they were unhealthy. The program helped me understand this even more.Eating clean and including the proper food groups was key. It helped me tremendously with my weight management and I felt much better. My diabetes is still a work in progress. The workout that Physical Therapy planned for me has helped my back pain 95%. The pool is so enjoyable. The best thing is whatever I needed , it was available at Ryan Fern Healthplex. KUDOS TO ALL THE SMILING STAFF!!! Please know that you have changed my life for the better and I’m sure you have done this for all the people you have worked with."
MaryAnna Russell
"I am so grateful that I could do this program. This is the best I have felt in a very long time. I was so impressed by Ryan and the entire staff, their knowledge, patience and kindness and always being available to help. The time went by so fast! I had a few hiccups along the way, but what I have learned will follow me for the rest of my life. I would highly recommend this program to anyone struggling with hormone imbalances. The movie/documentary on sugar remains in my mind when I am tempted. If I allow myself to slip, I pay the price by feeling lousy and it’s just not worth it Kathi I appreciate your attention to details and enjoyed our phone meetings. You are always a ray of sunshine! Again, many thanks to you all"
Kathy Williams
I cannot believe I finally found a program that I have been able to lose weight on and keep it off! No, I am not where I need to be but I am so much closer than I have ever been. My blood work has improved in many areas. I have more energy and clarity of thought. My body does not ache and pain like it did with getting out of bed in the morning, moving up and down, or after sitting for a longer period of time then moving again. However, the thing I am most proud of is all the knowledge I have gained throughout this process. I am trying to master the tools for healthy living and eating. The program guides you through all of this. Kathi is fantastic with the nutritional information. She answered all the many questions I had about so many things i.e. products, foods, cooking and shopping tips and on and on.
Elaine Yantz
"During this last 6 months my life has been crazy. My faith, the staff, and the program here at the Ryan Ferns Healthplex has equipped me not to go into deep depression or binge eating. The months prior to hearing about the Healthplex as a type 1 diabetic I was ready to talk to my doctors about being considered for a gastric sleeve. My husband, David, and I attended a free seminar on Tuesday November 1, 2023. We were excited about what we heard and quickly filled out the assessment."
Tammy Coe
Tammy Coe

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