Joy Wellness Partners San Diego

Carol Joy Bender is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner and the visionary founder of Joy Wellness Partners (JWP) in San Diego, California. With a robust background in both clinical practice and healthcare management, Carol has dedicated her career to advancing regenerative and integrative medicine. Carol's academic journey includes dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics from The Wharton School and in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, both earned in 2009. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in 2013, specializing in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care. Her early professional experiences were diverse and impactful. Carol co-founded LifeNet International, a non-profit organization aimed at improving healthcare delivery in Burundi, Africa, where she also served as Medical Director. Upon returning to the United States, she honed her clinical skills as an emergency room nurse and later as a Nurse Practitioner in various Southern California hospitals and at the Temecula Valley Advanced Medicine Clinic. In 2016, driven by a passion for holistic patient care and the transformative potential of regenerative therapies, Carol established Joy Wellness Partners. The clinic offers a comprehensive suite of services, including bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, peptide therapy, IV vitamin infusions, and advanced regenerative treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and stellate ganglion blocks. Under Carol's leadership, JWP has expanded its reach, opening additional locations in Provo, Utah, and partnering with Novastem in Tijuana, Mexico, to provide cutting-edge regenerative treatments. Her commitment to personalized, patient-centered care has positioned Joy Wellness Partners as a leader in the field of regenerative medicine.

Dr. Mairead Masuda is a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor at Joy Wellness Partners in San Diego, California. She is dedicated to empowering patients to achieve optimal health and well-being through a holistic and integrative approach to medicine. Dr. Masuda firmly believes that understanding the root cause of illness and the interconnectedness between organ systems, as well as mind, body, and spirit, is the key to healing. Her greatest passions lie in gastrointestinal dysfunction, infertility, preconception to postpartum care, and pediatric health. She addresses these areas using a combination of supplements, diet and lifestyle changes, IV therapy, and injection therapy. After earning bachelor's degrees in science and biology from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and the University of San Diego, Dr. Masuda considered pursuing a career in allopathic medicine. However, she felt called to naturopathic medicine, which would allow her to help patients in a way that would truly benefit them long-term and give them the opportunity to take control of their health and healing. Beyond her medical practice, Dr. Masuda is a devoted mother to two daughters. She enjoys being outdoors, exercising, teaching Irish dance, reading, and traveling to see her family around the world. Notably, while obtaining her undergraduate degree, she pursued her passion for dancing by touring with the Irish dance show, Riverdance. This experience afforded her the opportunity to travel globally, experience diverse cultures, and develop tools essential for maintaining physical and mental health.

Martyna Erskine is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and the lead medical provider at Joy Wellness Partners in San Diego, California. With a strong foundation in both clinical practice and scientific research, Martyna is dedicated to delivering personalized, regenerative, and integrative healthcare solutions. Originally from Poland, Martyna earned her Master of Science in Chemistry from Adam Mickiewicz University in 2013. She began her career as a chemist, conducting research on synthesized modified elements and molecules. In 2015, she relocated to California, where she worked as a phlebotomist and lab assistant at Scripps and Palomar Hospitals, honing her skills in lab analysis and IV therapy. Pursuing her passion for patient care, Martyna completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Miami in December 2018, specializing in acute care nursing. She joined Joy Wellness Partners as their first full-time Registered Nurse and gained additional experience as an ICU nurse in local hospitals. In January 2021, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Martyna is currently completing a Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Metabolic, and Functional Medicine through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). She is also a certified Biote provider, specializing in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and hormone optimization. Fluent in Polish and English, and conversational in Spanish and Russian, Martyna brings a multicultural perspective to her practice. Beyond her clinical work, she enjoys rollerblading, hiking, paddleboarding, photography, traveling, and designing and making clothing.

Sarah Wells is a dual-certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and Family Practice. With over a decade of diverse clinical experience, she brings a comprehensive and compassionate approach to patient care at Joy Wellness Partners in San Diego, California. Sarah began her nursing journey in southern Mississippi, earning her Associate Degree in Nursing from Pearl River Community College in 2012. She furthered her education by obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama. Committed to advancing her expertise, Sarah pursued dual Master's degrees in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner from the same institution. She is currently completing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) to further enhance her clinical acumen. Throughout her career, Sarah has gained extensive experience in various healthcare settings, including stroke care, psychiatric nursing, trauma acute care, and neuro-critical care. Her passion for preventative medicine and holistic wellness led her to Joy Wellness Partners in December 2022, where she focuses on regenerative therapies and personalized patient care. Outside of her professional endeavors, Sarah enjoys exploring San Diego's culinary scene, staying active, and spending quality time with her boyfriend, Sam, and their two cats, Cheeto and Biscuit.

Dr. Michael Meng is a dual-licensed healthcare professional with over two decades of experience in musculoskeletal ultrasound and regenerative medicine. Holding credentials as both a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Nurse Practitioner, he brings a comprehensive and integrative approach to patient care at Joy Wellness Partners in San Diego, California. Dr. Meng earned his Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Truman State University in Missouri. He then obtained his Doctorate in Chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic College and later pursued a Master of Science in Nursing from United States University. He is certified as a Registered Physician in Musculoskeletal Sonography (RMSK) and has completed a fellowship with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). Throughout his career, Dr. Meng has provided ultrasound and ultrasound-guided services to numerous clinics across various specialties, including orthopedics, rheumatology, pain management, anesthesiology, sports medicine, internal medicine, and chiropractic. His expertise has been sought by organizations such as the United States Olympic Committee, Santa Monica Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, and the Orthohealing Institute. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Meng is a published author and educator. He has contributed to textbooks like the Complete Ultrasound Atlas of Painful Conditions, Complete Ultrasound Atlas of Guided Injections, and Complete Atlas of Interventional Pain Guided Procedures. He has also served as a preceptor for fellows in the Sports Medicine Fellowship Program at the University of California, San Diego. At Joy Wellness Partners, Dr. Meng specializes in diagnosing and treating painful conditions that have not responded to traditional care. He utilizes advanced diagnostic tools and minimally invasive treatments to help patients regain their quality of life. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Meng is committed to providing personalized and effective care to a diverse patient population. Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Meng enjoys mountain biking, skiing, hiking, boating, and spending quality time with his family.

Dr. Laurie Blanscet is a board-certified Family Physician with a passion for preventive and integrative medicine. Serving as the collaborative and supervising physician at Joy Wellness Partners, she has been instrumental in guiding the clinic's approach to holistic patient care since 2015. Dr. Blanscet's medical journey began in a traditional insurance-based practice, where she quickly recognized the limitations in providing comprehensive care within the constraints of the healthcare system. After facing personal health challenges, including a life-threatening medical ordeal, she was inspired to seek advanced training in preventive and integrative medicine. This led her to establish ""An Optimal You,"" a wellness-focused clinic in Murrieta, California, dedicated to personalized treatments that address the root causes of health issues. At Joy Wellness Partners, Dr. Blanscet collaborates closely with the medical team to implement individualized care plans that encompass hormone balancing, nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and other holistic therapies. Her approach emphasizes the importance of treating the whole person, not just the symptoms, to achieve optimal health and well-being. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Blanscet enjoys traveling, scuba diving, practicing yoga, and reading. She shares these passions with her husband of over 30 years, embracing a lifestyle that reflects the holistic principles she advocates in her medical practice.