ABOUT ROOTS
Roots Integrative Medicine is a Primary Care Clinic for ages 1 and up that takes a more in-depth approach, seamlessly combining traditional and holistic therapies to promote overall well-being. Our mission is to empower individuals on their journey to optimal health, recognizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. Through evidence-based practices, compassionate care, and a commitment to individualized treatment plans, we aim to cultivate a thriving community rooted in well-being and vitality. Whether it's a face-to-face or virtual appointment, we dedicate ourselves to understanding your needs. Our approach to medical care involves addressing the underlying factors contributing to your health concerns. At Roots, we strive to be a guiding force, helping individuals achieve balance, resilience, and lasting health.
About Chelsea Turner, FNP-C
Chelsea Turner is the owner and founder of Roots Integrative Medicine and a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a passion in Integrative Medicine. She graduated from The University of South Carolina with a Bachelors in Nursing in 2013 and then again with a Masters in Nursing in 2018. She did her Functional Medicine continuing education mainly through the Institute of Functional Medicine, and is constantly seeking out educational opportunities to fine tune her practice of medicine. She has been passionate about healthcare and helping people since she took care of her own grandfather after open heart surgery at the age of 11. She has been working in healthcare to some degree for 16 years; mostly family practice.
Chelsea is passionate about giving people hope when they’ve lost it in the conventional medicine model. Integrative Medicine to Chelsea is the seamless combining of traditional and holistic therapies to promote overall well-being. Chelsea's spark of interest around root-cause medicine occurred when her oldest son started having seemingly endless seizures and encephalitis. Once Chelsea better understood the possible root causes of his PANS/PANDAS/autoimmune encephalitis diagnosis, she could address those to help her son fully heal, which at this time, he is absolutely thriving!
She is passionate about gut health, the gut-brain connection, hormone health, mold/mycotoxin illness, nutrition, PANS/PANDAS, autoimmune conditions, EBV, chronic fatigue, mental health, preventative medicine, and more! She enjoys taking care of people across the lifespan as well.
She is a married to her wonderfully supportive husband, Chuck, and together they have two precious boys, Finn and Jude, to whom she dedicates her work to.
Meet Our Roots Team
Lauren Francis, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
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Lauren Francis is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with nearly a decade of clinical experience and a deep commitment to whole-person healing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lander University and a Master of Science in Nursing from South University in Columbia.
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Lauren’s clinical path led her to pursue continuing education through the Institute for Functional Medicine, where she expanded her skills to integrate traditional and holistic approaches. She believes in looking beyond surface symptoms to uncover root causes—treating the whole person, not just the diagnosis. Lauren was drawn to integrative medicine to really dig deeper for her patients. She feels privileged to combine her conventional training with therapies that support mind, body, and spirit. Her patients feeling seen, heard and cared about is paramount for her.
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At Roots, Lauren advocates for personalized, compassionate care that honors the patient’s goals. She works closely with each person to co-create a path toward optimal wellness. Her dedication fuels her persistence in finding answers for complex health concerns.
Outside of the clinic, you’ll find Lauren enjoying time with her husband and two children, relaxing on the lake, or exploring new places through travel.
Mikayla Smith, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
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Mikayla is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner passionate about patient-centered, whole-person care. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M University, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. In 2021. She then expanded her training through the Institute for Functional Medicine.
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Her nursing career began in 2019 in hospital-based cardiac and neuro care, where she saw firsthand how patients could feel dismissed or underserved. Her own health journey brought those experiences even closer to home—after being told “your labs look normal” without answers for how she felt, and later navigating her son’s chronic eczema, Mikayla began seeking deeper solutions. This search led her to integrative and functional medicine, where she found a more root-cause approach to care.
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Today, Mikayla blends her background in acute care with her passion for functional medicine, helping patients understand their health, feel heard, and confidently advocate for their healing. She has a particular interest in metabolic and hormone health, gut health, immune conditions, and lifelong preventative wellness for patients and parents alike.
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A military wife and mom to two energetic boys, Mikayla values resilience, flexibility, and connection. Outside the clinic, you can find her outdoors, practicing yoga, playing pickleball, or enjoying a great cup of coffee.
Bethany Bagwell, BS, CIHC
Assistant Manager & Integrative Health Coach
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Bethany brings a passionate approach to her roles as Assistant Manager and Integrative Health Coach at Roots. With over a decade of diverse clinical experience, Bethany is known for her compassion, deep listening, and commitment to helping others heal from the inside out.She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina and advanced certifications in IV Infusions, Ozone Therapy, and Integrative Health Coaching through the Nickerson Institute—where she focused her training on mental health and nervous system regulation.
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Bethany specializes in guiding patients through mental health challenges, nervous system dysregulation, and the deep emotional layers of healing. Her coaching style is rooted in evidence-based practice that prioritizes connection, trauma-informed care, and practical strategies for whole-person well-being. She values using neuroscience backed methodologies in her approach.
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Her passion for integrative medicine is a personal one. Originally on the path to becoming a Physician Assistant, Bethany’s life shifted after her own health struggles and the birth of her first child. Those experiences changed the course of her life, leading her to seek out root-cause medicine and holistic therapies that could address the body, mind, spirit, and emotions as a unified system. Inspired by a family lineage of midwives and herbalists, she continues to draw from both modern science and ancestral wisdom in her approach to care.
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Bethany’s clinical work is informed by her lived experience with mold toxicity and supporting her children through PANS—a journey that has shaped her empathy and advocacy for those navigating complex, misunderstood illnesses. She believes deeply that integrative care is the future of medicine.
Outside the clinic, Bethany is an avid book lover and lifelong learner who enjoys diving into stories about healing, psychology, and even a little fantasy. She also finds joy in all things nature and travel, loves a good concert, and believes laughter is one of nature’s best medicines.
Alexa Denham, RMA
Registered Medical Assistant & Licensed Phlebotomist
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Alexa Denham is a Registered Medical Assistant and Licensed Phlebotomist who began her healthcare career in 2018. She started in Pediatrics and later moved into Primary Care, where she gained broad clinical experience and regularly assisted with minor procedures. Her path eventually led her to integrative medicine, where she discovered a deep passion for whole-person, holistic care.
Alexa has a special heart for mental health advocacy and is known for her gentle, tender presence—especially with our pediatric patients. She brings a warm, motherly touch to her care, always striving to create a space where patients feel safe, seen, and supported. Her approach is deeply patient-centered: every individual is treated with the same kindness and respect she would want for herself or her own loved ones.
When she’s not at Roots Integrative Medicine, Alexa enjoys spending time with her family, a good brunch with friends and candle making.
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Breland Gan, MA
Patient Experience Coordinator & Medical Assistant
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Breland earned her Biology degree with a minor in Microbiology from Clemson University, where her academic foundation sparked a lifelong curiosity about how the body works. Her personal journey navigating her own health challenges led her to develop a deep passion for holistic wellness and a belief in addressing root causes rather than simply treating symptoms.
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She finds true purpose in helping others feel seen, supported, and genuinely cared for in every interaction. A firm believer that kindness goes a long way, she brings compassion, empathy, and grounded encouragement into her work at Roots each day.
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With nearly four years of experience as a group fitness instructor, she loves inspiring others to find strength, confidence, and empowerment through movement. Her commitment to whole-person well-being extends beyond the clinic and into the way she encourages others to build a lifestyle that supports both physical and emotional health.
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Outside of work, she enjoys baking, teaching and taking Lagree classes, spending quality time with friends, and soaking up the sunshine whenever she can.
Joi Loveless
Patient Experience Coordinator
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Joi is a Senior Biological Science major at the University of South Carolina with a strong passion for reproductive and genetic health. She aspires to pursue a career in reproductive medicine, with a special interest in IVF and helping families on their fertility journeys.
What excites Joi most about working at Roots is our in-depth and whole-person approach to care. She’s inspired by Roots’ philosophy of putting patients first and loves being part of a team that prioritizes thoughtful, personalized solutions. One of the most rewarding parts of her work is seeing real results in real people and hearing how treatments at Roots have transformed lives.
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In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, Joi serves as the Treasurer of the Zeta Theta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., where she demonstrates leadership, organization, and a strong sense of community.
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Outside of work and school, Joi enjoys taking her dog, Carter, on walks, roller skating with friends, and experimenting in the kitchen -especially with spicy foods and homemade desserts. Most importantly, she cherishes spending quality time with her friends and family, which keeps her grounded and grateful.
Emily Hagemeier
​Patient Experience Coordinator
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Emily is one of the bright, welcoming faces that greets patients at Roots. As one of our Patient Experience Coordinators, she ensures every part of your encounter with us—from scheduling to check-out —is handled smoothly and with grace.
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She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Arizona State University and brings a natural gift for connecting with others, making each patient feel seen, heard, and supported. Known for her bubbly energy, radiant smile, and attention to detail, Emily helps keep the front office running with calm confidence.
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Emily’s passion for integrative medicine began during her first pregnancy in 2019, when she started exploring holistic approaches to care. Since then, she and her family have experienced firsthand the power of integrative healing, which fuels her belief in Roots’ mission every day.
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Outside the clinic, Emily is a proud military wife and mom to two boys. She also enjoys singing, playing guitar, and bringing joy to the everyday moments of life.
Diana Kambanis, RN
IV Infusion Nurse
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Diana is a dedicated healthcare professional whose career has been shaped by a passion for patient care, advocacy, and whole-person wellness. She began her journey in healthcare as a CNA, later expanding her skills as a phlebotomist and EKG specialist. Driven to deepen her clinical expertise, Diana pursued nursing and went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina in 2024.
Over the past 4 years, Diana has worked in the Intensive Care Unit, where she developed a strong foundation in critical care. Her time in the ICU reinforced her desire to provide more holistic, patient-centered care—focusing not only on acute needs but also on long-term well-being.
Diana is deeply committed to supporting patients through compassion, education, and empowerment. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with her husband and their four daughter
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Chuck Turner
Co-Founder & General Manager​
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Chuck Turner is the husband of Chelsea Turner & Co-Founder of Roots Integrative Medicine, and oversees the non-clinical, business operations at Roots, including IT, Finances, HR, Legal, and Strategic Planning.
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Chuck’s passion for integrative medicine began on a deeply personal level after witnessing the life-changing impact that functional and holistic care had on their son Finn’s seizures as a toddler—he became an advocate for a different kind of healthcare. When traditional medicine offered no answers for their family, integrative medicine stepped in with clarity, hope, and results. That experience sparked not only a career shift, but a lifelong commitment to making this kind of care more accessible to others.
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Chuck has also experienced the personal benefits of integrative health firsthand, crediting nutrition and supplementation with improving his own energy, physical health, and overall well-being. He’s passionate about creating systems that optimize and improve the processes at Roots to allow others to experience the same kind of healing and transformation.
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Outside of Roots, Chuck is an IT Product Manager for Smurfit Westrock, a global paper and packaging company. He also serves as Treasurer for Columbia Ultimate Disc Association and enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee in tournaments around the country. He also serves as Treasurer for the PTO at Pontiac Elementary where his sons go to school. When not doing any of these things, he enjoys spending time with his family traveling or boating out on Lake Murray.
