MEET OUR TEAM

Elsa was a pharmacist in big-box pharmacies for more than 25 years. During her tenure, she noticed too many people were in poor health with chronic illnesses. Knowing that she could make a difference, Elsa developed her vision to combine pharmacy services with nutritional education support to help people live healthier and happier lives. She brought this vision to life by creating Golden Health Pharmacy in 2015-now Golden Health Holistics. As an active member of the local community, Elsa encourages clients to be in charge of their own health, to educate themselves, and to seek help to understand nutrition and wellness. 

Elsa’s father is a Chinese Medicine Practitioner in Hong Kong, so she grew up understanding the power of natural healing. After a close family member got diagnosed with an incurable condition, she knew there had to be more that she could do. And so began her search for a holistic approach for chronic conditions. Since then, she has helped not only her family members, but now her many clients as well, to naturally achieve a symptom-free lifestyle with optimized mental and physical health. Because of her personal journey through holistic health, she passionately believes that wellness education should be an integral part of our health care system. 

Elsa received her bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in 1990 and her health coaching certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in 2013. Wanting to further expand her knowledge, she then pursued her training and certification to become a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner from Functional Diagnostic Nutrition.

Considering the constant flow of new studies, updated protocols, and abundance of information, Elsa is constantly continuing her education through various trainings and institutes. She is an active member of the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) and Functional Medicine Clinicals and attends their many seminars. Notable conferences that she has attended include the Conference of Integrative Medicine for Mental Health and Managing Complex Illnesses.

As a pharmacist by training, she has a strong understanding of the physiological biochemistry of our body. This, in conjunction with ongoing laboratory training with Vibrant Labs, Great Plains Labs, and the many other laboratories that we partner with, creates her specialization in the tests that we offer. Her expertise includes interpreting the tests that we offer, environmental toxin detoxification, hormone balance, neurotransmitter balance, nutritional imbalance, gut and microbiome health, autoimmune conditions, and food sensitivities.

Elsa’s focus is to help clients optimize their health. By searching for the root cause of their conditions and personalizing their healing process, she is able to teach clients the importance of the skills that they need to take good care of themselves. With these skills, they are able continue to live optimally through their healthy lifestyle and share their knowledge with their own family and friends.

To educate, empower and support is our goal and mission to transform one life at a time. Golden Health Holistics was born because of the need in our community for health education. As a pharmacist for over 30 years, she recognized that too many people are looking for that “Magic Pill” with minimum understanding of  the importance of nutrition and lifestyle.  

Golden Health Holistics is the change. We are the one of a kind holistic health store that is open to everyone and anyone who is ready to start their personal healing journey.

In 2015, Melvin made a life-changing career decision after working three decades in corporate IT management and consulting jobs, and started the new business venture of Golden Health with his wife, Elsa. As co-owner and practitioner, he obtained his training and certification as a Nutrition Therapy Practitioner (NTP) from the Nutritional Therapy Association. In addition, he continues to expand his knowledge through online seminars that focus on various areas of holistic health. He has attended functional health training on mold and chemical toxicity, detoxification, the immune system, digestive functions, chronic inflammation, hormones, adrenal function, and mental health.

Melvin’s passion for sharing his knowledge and improving community health has allowed him to thrive in his role, spreading the power of nutritional therapy and holistic wellness. His goal is to educate, inspire, and empower as many people as he can in taking charge of their own well-being so that they can lead their happiest and healthiest lives. In his free time, Melvin enjoys frequenting farmers’ markets, cooking, and spending time outdoors with Elsa and their two daughters. If you chat with Melvin long enough, you’ll quickly learn that he’s the master of health analogies!

Charisse is a nationally certified Physician Assistant with over 23 years of clinical experience, including a long career serving in the U.S. Army. Her background caring for high-demand populations shaped her disciplined, systems-based approach to health and prevention.

At Golden Health Holistics, Charisse specializes in metabolic reset programs focused on metabolic optimization, helping clients address insulin resistance, weight loss resistance, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, and cardiometabolic risk. Her approach integrates advanced laboratory testing, personalized nutrition, lifestyle optimization, and evidence-based interventions to support sustainable metabolic health.

Charisse continues her professional education through the Institute of Functional Medicine and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) with a clinical focus on metabolic health, longevity, and prevention. Her mission is to empower clients to restore metabolic balance, regain energy, and build long-term resilience.

Wesley is a Certified Health Coach and our Holistic Wellness Program Director, bringing a unique blend of analytical expertise and whole-person care to our practice. With over 30 years of experience in the IT industry serving the federal government and commercial enterprises, she offers a strong foundation in problem-solving, systems thinking, and strategic planning, skills she now applies to helping clients create sustainable, meaningful health transformations.

As a Health Coach, Wesley works closely with clients using nutritional therapy and personalized lifestyle modifications to support goals ranging from weight loss to optimizing overall health and wellness. She is passionate about meeting individuals where they are and empowering them with practical tools, education, and encouragement to make lasting changes.

Her transition into holistic health was inspired by her own personal health challenges, which she successfully addressed through functional and holistic medicine. This transformative experience deepened her understanding of the body’s interconnected systems and ignited a passion for helping others reclaim their health. Having experienced firsthand the power of addressing root causes rather than symptoms, she brings both empathy and real-world insight to her work with clients.

Wesley lives in Leesburg, Virginia, with her husband and daughter, and enjoys supporting her community through wellness education and advocacy.

Sydney holds an Associate of Applied Science degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant from Northern Virginia Community College, along with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She also completed the WholeLifeRx training, deepening her understanding of root-cause, functional nutrition principles.

Sydney is passionate about supporting others and uses her attention to detail, organizational strengths, and client-centered mindset to help the practice run smoothly.

Daria holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a specialization in Molecular Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Biology with a concentration in Nutrigenomics at George Mason University. Her academic and professional focus centers on the powerful connection between genetics, nutrition, and lifestyle, and how these factors can be personalized to support optimal health and long-term wellness.

Through her own health journey, Daria understands the importance of self-advocacy and informed decision-making. She is deeply passionate about advancing personalized, integrative healthcare and believes that individualized health assessments are key to achieving meaningful and sustainable results. Daria encourages clients to take an active role in their wellness journey, empowering them with knowledge and tools to make confident, informed choices about their care.

At Golden Health Holistics, Daria supports and assists in curating educational workshops, translating complex scientific concepts into practical, accessible strategies. Her goal is to help individuals better understand their bodies, unlock their unique genetic potential, and cultivate sustainable habits that promote vibrant, holistic well-being.

Isabella holds a Bachelor’s degree in Global Affairs, specializing in Human Security. Her academic work explored the connection among mental health, social systems, and overall well-being, shaping her belief that true wellness extends beyond the individual to the community and environment.

In her role as a Wellness Advisor, Isabella supports clients in cultivating balance, clarity, and sustainable self-care practices. She approaches holistic wellness through a grounded and compassionate lens, recognizing that emotional, physical, and social health are deeply interconnected.

As Social Media Coordinator, Isabella brings enthusiasm to spreading education about holistic health and making wellness accessible to a wider audience. With experience in photography, videography, and content editing, she creates engaging digital content that reflects our mission to educate, empower, and support. She is passionate about building authentic community spaces online that inform and inspire individuals on their wellness journeys.