What began five years ago as a small medical practice in the back room of a home has grown into a multidisciplinary clinic with a permanent home in Holt, Michigan. A journey made possible through faith, generosity, and connections formed along the way.
On Friday, August 21, Family & Lifestyle Medicine (FALM) celebrated the grand opening of its new clinic alongside community members, local Seventh-day Adventist church members, supporters and community leaders. Representatives from Delhi Township and partnering organizations joined the celebration. The clinic remained open throughout the evening for tours and refreshments. Dr. Kimberly Azelton, president and medical director of FALM, reflected on the vision that started it all.
“Once upon a time, I had a dream of providing healthcare, not sick care, with the time the patient needed and, in the places where the patient needed it,” she said. “Putting health back in healthcare and the care back in healthcare.”
In 2021, that dream began taking shape as a direct primary care microclinic in the back room of Azelton’s home. Much of her care happened through house calls throughout the Greater Lansing community; an approach the clinic continues today.
As the work grew, so did the team. Dr. Jonathan Sharley first encountered FALM while completing a clinical rotation with Azelton.
“I saw what an incredible way it was to practice medicine,” Sharley recalled. “And I wanted to get in on the action.”
Together, the two physicians, both board-certified in family and lifestyle medicine, watched the practice grow into a multidisciplinary team incorporating fitness, wellness, culinary medicine and stress-management coaching alongside medical care.
Eventually, the clinic outgrew Azelton’s home. In December 2024, she emailed Delhi Township Development Director Howard Haas, who responded within 15 minutes. That connection opened the door not only to a building, but also to relationships throughout the Holt community. The clinic soon began establishing roots through a health program hosted with support from the Holt Seventh-day Adventist Church. By March 2025, FALM had an official cooperation agreement in Holt.
Then, support began arriving in unexpected ways. Dana and Lynda French offered an entire office suite, including desks, chairs, a copy machine and other furnishings, before fundraising had even begun. Once fundraising started, the community rallied around the vision, raising more than $100,000 in just five months. Azelton and Sharley also recognized Eric and Lisa Cooper, who assisted with operations during the process.
Another connection began in a Florida airport when Sharley noticed a man wearing a green hat that read, “Powered by Plants.” A simple comment, “I like your hat,” started a conversation with Ramesh and Maya Dedhia, who happened to live in the Lansing area. The conversation led to a friendship, and the friendship eventually became another answer to the clinic’s needs when Ramesh and Maya offered a private loan to help fund the remainder of the building project.
Throughout the grand opening, Azelton pointed to the people and organizations whose support helped turn a dream into reality. She thanked Delhi Township for welcoming the clinic and recognized the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s longstanding emphasis on health and wellness. Michigan Conference leaders Israel Ramos and Mike Bernard were also present, and Azelton thanked them for the Conference’s support of the work.
Today, FALM provides whole-person care that emphasizes the physical, mental, spiritual, and relational aspects of health. Its new Holt location provides a permanent base from which that mission can continue to grow.
The story of FALM is one of connections: an email answered in 15 minutes, a donated office suite, more than $100,000 raised by supporters, a chance meeting in an airport, churches willing to partner, and volunteers and community members who stepped forward when needs arose.
Through the clinic, its volunteers, supporters and the surrounding community, God continues to open doors for whole-person care to reach people in Holt and beyond. What started in the back room of a home has become something much larger. May God continue to watch over and bless these efforts as FALM seeks to put health, and care, back into healthcare.
Brianna Kittleson serves as the administrative assistant for the Communication and Public Campus Ministry Department of the Michigan Conference.
