Skylee Gardner, PhD, has a passion for helping people become more informed and engaged in their own health. As we get older, many of us begin paying closer attention to what is happening inside our bodies not simply when we are sick, but as part of maintaining our overall health and wellness.
Gardner holds a doctorate in holistic medicine and is Board-Certified through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She is also a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) through the National Healthcareer Association.
Her healthcare background began in 2006, when she started training in medical assisting and phlebotomy. That early clinical education introduced her to laboratory procedures, specimen collection and the important role blood testing plays in healthcare. Over the years, Gardner continued building experience in clinical healthcare and laboratory-related work, eventually combining that foundation with her interest in holistic health and wellness.
Laboratory testing can provide valuable information about many aspects of health, including cholesterol, blood sugar, hormones, nutritional markers and other biomarkers. Rather than viewing laboratory testing only as something used when a person is ill, Gardner believes it can also help people better understand their health over time.
That philosophy became the foundation for Aurora Health Co.
Gardner’s interest in this field became more personal after experiencing health concerns of her own and discovering how difficult it could sometimes be to access certain laboratory tests.
“I am not a licensed physician, and I do not diagnose, treat or prescribe,” Gardner explains. “My role is in education, specimen collection and helping people understand the laboratory-testing options available to them. I have a clinical laboratory background and a special interest in holistic health and wellness.”
Through Aurora Health Co., clients can access laboratory testing through established laboratory platforms and physician-authorization networks.
Gardner follows established protocols for specimen collection, processing and transport. Testing is reviewed and ordered through an appropriate licensed provider. Aurora Health Co. then provides the local specimen-collection service and prepares the specimen for shipment to the designated laboratory.
Clients can then schedule a lab draw appointment with Gardner at Aurora Health Co., located inside Workout 24/7 Gym in Wanamingo, Minnesota. Depending on the laboratory service being used, orders may come from the client’s own healthcare provider or through a physician-authorization network associated with the laboratory platform.
After the specimen is collected, it is sent to the appropriate laboratory for analysis. Results are then made available through the applicable laboratory or patient portal. Clients can review those results and share them with their licensed healthcare provider for medical interpretation, diagnosis or treatment or keep for their record.
Gardner emphasizes that Aurora Health Co. is designed to complement—not replace—traditional medical care.
“Physicians and other licensed healthcare providers play an essential role when someone needs a diagnosis, medical treatment or management of a health condition,” she says. “What I want to provide is another avenue for people who want to become more involved in understanding their own health information.”
For some clients, accessibility is one of the biggest advantages. Laboratory testing may not always be covered by insurance, and some people face high deductibles, limited benefits or long waits for appointments. Self-pay laboratory platforms and physician-authorized testing can provide another option for individuals who want greater access to their own health information. HSA accounts are accepted.
“I wouldn’t continue doing this if I didn’t believe it was helping people,” Gardner says. “My goal is to make laboratory testing more approachable and accessible while staying within the appropriate boundaries of what I am trained and certified to do.”
She credits Workout 24/7 Gym for providing a space where Aurora can offer local specimen-collection services.
“It is a natural connection,” Gardner says. “People who are already thinking about exercise, nutrition and their long-term health are often interested in understanding their biomarkers as well. Laboratory information gives people objective information they can use in conversations with their healthcare providers and as part of their overall wellness journey.”
Aurora Health Co. is located inside Workout 24/7 Gym in Wanamingo, Minnesota.
Gardner continues to work in healthcare full-time. Aurora operates part-time by appointment only. To schedule a lab draw or order your own labs, visit www.LabsandLifestyle.com. Click on "Order Your Labwork" to get started. You can also find Aurora Health Co. on Facebook, give us a like and a follow!
For Gardner, the goal is simple: increase access to health information for the individual, educate people about their options and help them become more active participants in their own healthcare.
Being informed about your health does not replace your healthcare team or emergency medical care—but it can help you work more effectively alongside your team in the changing landscape of healthcare access and technology.
