Spry Senior of Brook Park offers a different method of delivering medical care to seniors

By Mary Malik

Seniors of Brook Park and surrounding communities now have a choice when it comes to their healthcare experience. Spry Senior of Brook Park is a different kind of healthcare provider, and one that’s not only desired, but is also reminiscent of the past—when doctors took their time with patients, built relationships and developed treatment plans that didn’t always come on a prescription pad.

Spry Senior is for people aged 58 and over who are looking for a more personal connection with a dedicated medical provider who takes the necessary time to provide complete medical care in a convenient and seamless experience. From the convenient parking and one-level building to welcoming waiting area and comfortable exam rooms, Spry Senior is delivering exceptional healthcare in a setting designed specifically for the convenience and overall well-being of seniors.

Mary Massie-Story, M.D., and Kristen Cornes, APRN-CNP, are the providers at Spry Senior, both of whom have years of experience in family and geriatric medicine.

“As a certified nurse practitioner (CNP), I have more than 13 years of experience mainly in family medicine, along with a degree in psychology,” Kristen says. “I’m also a certified health coach, which is truly my passion. Spry Senior allows me to combine all my expertise, be more available to my patients, ask the questions that will help to get the best outcomes, and, maybe most importantly, avoid adverse outcomes as they age.”

Spry Senior has partnered with the Silver Sneakers program and offers ongoing programs and classes throughout the year. Programming is focused on education and includes exercise, nutrition and mental health information. Seniors take part in yoga classes, holiday parties, games and activities, or just stop in for coffee and conversation in the community room.

“In this post-Covid-19 world, people need more than medications,” Kristen says. “They need quality connections with other people and with their healthcare providers. Our goal is to be your partner and take care of all of you, not just the one thing you came in for.”

At Spry Senior, patients are more involved in their own care, resulting in more complete, multi-faceted treatments. The staff wants Spry Senior to serve as a base for seniors to receive medical care and education, and to spend time with peers.

“After 27 years as a physician in family medicine, urgent care and geriatric medicine, along with being an educator, I was attracted to Spry Senior by that cherished commodity of time,” Dr. Massie-Story says. “I wanted to get back to the reasons why I became a doctor and have the time to go beyond the social determinations of what health means. It’s much more than a normal blood test. It’s addressing issues like financial needs, family dynamics, food insecurity, housing and chronic stress. All these issues greatly affect overall health and I have time to explore them with my patients.”

Kristen and Dr. Massie-Story both describe Spry Senior as a community where the two providers work as a team and combine their experience and expertise to treat patients. They recommend that patients come in for check-ups four to five times a year.

“More frequent visits allow us to pick up on subtle changes, check in on long-term goals, and guide patients on making healthy changes without pharmaceutical intervention,” says Dr. Massie-Story. “It’s easy to say, ‘quit smoking,’ or, ‘lose ten pounds,’ on your way out the door. Now I can take the time to help patients come up with a sustainable plan for these things.”

Spry Senior patients also get preventative screenings right here. For urgent issues, patients can usually be seen the same day. This access is helping patients live their best lives.

Dr. Massie-Story also enjoys the ability to do more herself and not have to refer patients out to various specialists.

“There are procedures I can do and diseases I can treat, like diabetes, arthritis, allergies and more, but often had to refer patients to specialists because I didn’t have the time,” Dr. Massey-Story says. “At Spry, we take care of those issues right here and discuss patient goals to help avoid things like surgeries or unnecessary interventions. We meet you where you are to help get you where you’re going.”

Visit Spry Senior for a tour, meet the providers and staff, and see how the team can be your health and wellness partner.

Spry Senior now has three convenient locations. In Brook Park, at 14770 Snow Rd., in Solon, at 5855 Harper Rd. Suite A., and in Strongsville, at 15201 Pearl Rd. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 440-592-6200 or check the website SprySenior.com.