Meet The Team
Dr. Melissa Levy Ellis, DACM, AP, Dipl.OM,CFMP
Dr. Melissa Levy Ellis
Founder of Integrative Wellness Center of Jacksonville
Dr. Melissa Levy Ellis was born and raised in Philadelphia before moving to Florida to pursue her education at the University of Tampa, where she played collegiate basketball her freshman year. She became a NASM-certified personal trainer and worked as a group fitness instructor, boxing coach, cycling instructor, yoga instructor, and martial arts instructor — immersing herself fully in the world of movement and wellness.
But her passion for health quickly became personal.
In her early twenties, Dr. Ellis began experiencing significant health challenges, including hormonal imbalances, migraine headaches, neurological symptoms such as Bell’s palsy, and persistent unexplained concerns. She found herself shuffled from doctor to doctor and placed on various medications, yet never received clear answers about why her symptoms were happening.
Everything changed when she discovered acupuncture and integrative medicine.
For the first time, she experienced a medical approach focused on uncovering root causes instead of masking symptoms. This transformative experience ultimately shaped her career and life’s mission.
Dr. Ellis went on to earn her Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine from the Florida College of Integrative Medicine and later completed her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at the Pacific College of Health and Science. She further expanded her clinical expertise by completing functional medicine practitioner training through Functional Medicine University.
The Vision Behind Integrative Wellness Center of Jacksonville
In 2019, Dr. Ellis founded the Integrative Wellness Center of Jacksonville with one clear mission:
To create a space where patients could receive comprehensive, root-cause, integrative care all under one roof.
The clinic combines acupuncture, functional medicine, advanced diagnostic testing, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine to support patients dealing with:
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Chronic pain
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Hormone imbalances
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Fertility challenges
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Gut dysfunction
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Autoimmune conditions
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Neurological concerns
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Complex or “mystery” symptoms
Over the years, Dr. Ellis has worked with hundreds of patients. One consistent pattern has emerged:
The body functions as an interconnected system. When one area is out of balance, it affects everything else.
Rather than treating isolated symptoms, Integrative Wellness Center of Jacksonville takes a whole-body systems approach — identifying root causes, restoring balance, and creating sustainable health improvements.
Advanced Training & Clinical Expertise
Dr. Ellis’s background uniquely blends Eastern medicine, modern functional testing, and performance-based health training. Her additional certifications and advanced training include:
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Functional Medicine Practitioner
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Certified Fertility Coach
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Certified Health Coach
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Advanced Training in Hormones & Reproductive Health
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Advanced Training in Gut Health & Functional Medicine
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Pain Reprocessing Therapy
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Board Certified by NCBAHM™
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Former NASM Certified Personal Trainer
She has worked in collaborative integrative medical settings and has built her own integrative clinical environment focused on high-level patient care, education, and long-term outcomes.
Dr. Ellis’s Philosophy
Dr. Ellis believes that symptoms are signals not random events.
Instead of suppressing symptoms, her approach focuses on:
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Identifying root causes
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Supporting gut integrity and immune regulation
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Optimizing hormone and metabolic function
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Reducing systemic inflammation
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Restoring nervous system balance
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Creating sustainable lifestyle shifts
Through Integrative Wellness Center of Jacksonville, Dr. Ellis and her team provide personalized, evidence-informed care designed to help patients finally understand what is happening inside their bodies and feel empowered in their healing process.
Because when you address the root cause, true healing becomes possible.
Dr. Douglas Suffield, DACM, AP, Dipl.OM,CFMP
Dr. Douglas Suffield, DACM, AP, CFMP
Dr. Douglas Suffield is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Florida-licensed Acupuncture Physician, and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with a clinical focus on complex and chronic conditions involving pain, stress, sleep disruption, and nervous system dysregulation.
He frequently works with patients who are not improving as expected, including those with chronic pain, head trauma or neurocognitive concerns, chronic fatigue, post-injury or post-illness recovery challenges, burnout, and overlapping multi-system symptoms. Many of the patients he sees have tried multiple approaches and still feel “stuck,” often unsure why their symptoms persist.
Dr. Suffield’s background spans both integrative and academic medical environments. He previously served as the sole Acupuncture Physician within the UF Health Brain Wellness Program, where he worked closely with neurology, neuropsychology, physical therapy, and case management teams to help develop a multimodal clinic model supporting Veteran and First Responder patients with TBI, PTSD, and chronic pain.
He also played a key role in developing one of the first non-opioid pain education and recovery programs in the emergency department setting within the University of Florida Jacksonville College of Medicine. His work in building and leading interdisciplinary initiatives has resulted in multiple presentations at national and regional medical conferences.
Dr. Suffield’s clinical approach is systems-based and evidence-informed, with a focus on calming and stabilizing the nervous system, reducing symptom amplification, and addressing underlying contributors such as central sensitization, neuroplasticity patterns, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, and inflammatory or endotoxemia-driven processes. He integrates traditional Chinese medicine principles with functional medicine and modern pain neuroscience to create personalized, practical, and sustainable care plans.
At Integrative Wellness Center of Jacksonville, Dr. Suffield works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary setting and is especially well-suited for patients with complex or persistent symptoms, stress-related conditions, and chronic pain that has not responded to conventional care alone. He is known for his thoughtful, thorough approach and for helping patients better understand their condition while building clear, structured paths toward recovery and long-term resilience.
Angela Suffield
Licensed Aesthetician
Angela began her aesthetic education at the Summit Academy in Gainesville, Florida, where she received training in facials, waxing, make-up application, and skin health. However, it wasn’t until she moved to Austin, Texas, and began working, training, and teaching at the Texas Laser and Aesthetics Training Academy (TLATA) that her aesthetics career truly took off. During her time at TLATA, Angela pursued extensive training in microneedling, laser hair removal, and advanced skin care. Angela worked her way from front desk manager to being one of the most respected and requested teachers at the academy. As much as Angela enjoyed her time in Austin, she knew that Florida would always be home, so she moved back to be closer to family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Angela has taken her training and knowledge from multiple disciplines and specialties to construct a well-rounded approach to skin care rooted in overall health and wellness. Angela is dedicated to providing the highest level of relaxing, rejuvenating, and rewarding services possible. It’s because of her commitment, passion, and joyful personality that we are so excited to have her join our team at the Integrative Wellness Center of Jacksonville. Trust us, you will not be disappointed with any treatment you choose to receive from Angela, so what are you waiting for? Book your first session today and get your glow on!
Regan Cagle
Licensed Massage Therapist 31903
A Jacksonville Beach native, Regan has been serving the Beaches and Intracoastal community for over 25 years. She specializes in medical massage, incorporating a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to relieve pain, support tissue repair, and address lingering concerns.
Her sessions combine skilled, focused work with a calming, restorative approach — helping you feel both better and more relaxed.