Click the links below to meet our staff.
Clinical Directors
Nutrition experts
Personal Trainer
Acupuncturists
Massage Therapists
Physical Therapists
Clinical Directors
Dr. Bryan P. Lowry
Graduating early from Life Chiropractic College at the age of 24, Dr. Lowry established his first practice in 1989. He quickly expanded into three practices training other doctors to care for patients with his unique patient management, addressing the chemical, physical and emotional stressors that cause dysfunction of the spine and nervous system.
Dr. Lowry has been featured on radio and television. He has been a guest lecturer at local businesses, churches and schools. Dr. Lowry has also presented to interns at the Medical College of Virginia on the coordination of care between medical and chiropractic physicians. This lecture was telecast to numerous doctors throughout Virginia Commonwealth University to foster better interdisciplinary understanding.
Dr. Lowry is married with four children and has a keen interest in the health of the pediatric spine. The age of his patients has ranged from newborns to 95 years old. Recognizing the benefit of rehabilitating the spine by combining spinal manipulation with therapeutic exercises, his progressive practice now has a physical therapy department along with chiropractic so that outcomes are optimized.
Many area healthcare providers, including medical doctors, midwives, nutritionists and acupuncturists both refer to and receive care from our office. Dr. Lowry has been in private practice for over 15 years, helping thousands of people.
Dr. William U. Roodman
Since graduating as Valedictorian from Logan College of Chiropractic in 1988, Dr. Roodman has published articles in Chiropractic Sports Medicine Journal and Athletix Magazine. He is a member of the Virginia and American Chiropractic Association.
Dr. Roodman was selected asone of the few east coast chiropractors to be a member of the North American Spine Society in 2004. This prestigious organization consists of practitioners from multiple specialties. He also belongs to the National Headache Foundation and the Doctors Speakers Bureau.
Dr. Roodman recognizes the effectiveness of rehabilitative exercise combined with chiropractic. His progressive practice now includes a physical therapy department along with chiropractic under one roof, so that outcome is optimized. Over 100 medical doctors (including family practitioners, orthopedic doctors, neurologists, internists, and even the past Chief of Surgery from one of the biggest area hospitals) refer their patients to Dr. Roodman for problems like yours. Some of these doctors have even been patients themselves at our office. He has been in private practice for over 15 years, helping thousands of people.
Back to Top
Nutrition Therapist
Paula C. Schnurman, R.D.
Paula C. Schnurman is a Registered Dietitian with a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Dayton, who completed her Dietetic Internship at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, Richmond Virginia. Paula is an active member of the American Dietetic Association, the Virginia Dietetic Association, the Richmond Dietetic Association, and a member of the National Eating Disorders Association.
Paula’s most recent work experience includes providing consultative expertise in the areas of integrative and behavioral health and wellness. Paula has a private practice in Richmond titled “Thinner Wisdom” where she coaches clients in life balance, behavioral change for weight management, and evidence based approaches to nutrition in prevention and chronic disease management.
The Commission on Dietetic Registration recognizes Paula for her certification and completion of training in Adult Weight Management, and Child and Adolescent Weight Management. She brings over 25 years of experience in providing Medical Nutrition Therapy for adults, adolescents, and families, in her collaborative work with healthcare professionals throughout the Richmond area.
Back to Top
Personal Trainer
Marq McKenney
On July 7, 1977, at two and a half years old, Marq’s life changed forever. His father was in a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Marq spent his formative years helping care for his father with his mother, brother and sister. This experience helped Marq realize his calling in life… helping others. While he couldn’t help his father regain the use of his body, he could help others regain the use of theirs.
Marq has his Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Rehabilitative Exercise Science and Wellness Management. While in school, he realized that the top 5 disease facing Americans were preventable through a healthy lifestyle, and you know what they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!! Upon graduation, Marq worked as the Assistant Fitness and Wellness Program Coordinator at VCU, a personal fitness trainer and Fitness Director at local Richmond health clubs.
With ten years of professional experience, Marq is nationally certified by ACE, (American Council on Exercise) and has been a Fitness Professional since 2000. Marq specializes in weight loss programs, sports specific and functional training routines. He has an ability to "connect" with anybody that he works with or converse with regardless of their beliefs, background and situation. Marq has experience working with a diverse clientele with a multitude of injuries and conditions such as rotator cuff injuries , hip replacement, tennis elbow, and sarcoidosis, to name a few. As your trainer, he will take your health and wellness personally, working alongside you to help achieve ALL of your fitness goals.
In his leisure time, Marq enjoys exercise, live music, and spending time with friends and family. He loves sports with his favorites being football and boxing. On a beautiful day, Marq loves being outside, playing disc golf with friends at many of the local courses.
Back to Top
Acupuncturists
Taehee Cho, L.Ac.
Taehee Cho was born and grew up in Korea. He reads both Chinese and Korean which has allowed him to probe the depths in terms of his acupuncture study. This has granted him a deeper understanding of the effectiveness and mechanisms of oriental medicine. What most attracted him to acupuncture is that oriental medicine has a holistic focus which emphasizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. Prior to becoming an acupuncturist, Taehee attended the Korea Baptist Theological Seminary where he received a Bachelor's degree in social work. He also studied at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he received a Master's Degree in Christian education. His current mission is to reach out and help others with his unique skills. Taehee is confident that acupuncture can address the underlying origin of pain conditions or disease states in a way which is totally different from just taking pain killers or masking symptoms with drugs.
While studying and practicing at South Baylo University, Taehee utilized many different kinds of acupuncture techniques including Tung's, Sa-Am, Five Element, and Korean Hand to determine what works best for each individual. As a result, he had a very high patient satisfaction rate throughout his training. Taehee is extremely passionate and eager to devote himself to the patients of the Advanced Wellness Centre to improve the quality of their lives.
Anna Noyes, MAOM
Anna Noyes is a native of Richmond whose interest in acupuncture began at a young age. While studying abroad in Beijing, she received Chinese herbal medicine for the first time. After experiencing the effectiveness of this medicine herself, she wanted to know more about acupuncture as a solution for pain management. In order tolay the best foundation for further practical study, Anna pursued a self-designed major in Asian Studies with a focus on Chinese history and medicine.
At the New England School of Acupuncture, Anna completed a four-year graduate program in acupuncture and herbal medicine. During graduate school, her interests and treatment focus expanded to include not only pain management, but women's health, digestive disorders and allergies.
Her dream is to see professional Chinese medicine become integrated into the health care of Americans. Her belief is that learning is a journey that will never end and she is constantly looking for ways to improve both herself and her acupuncture to better serve the community.
Back to Top
Massage Therapists
Ruth 'Boo' Neal Perkins, NCMT
Massage has been part of Ruth 'Boo' Neal Perkins entire life. Growing up in a medically oriented family, she has always been interested in helping others and in the health care world. Massage therapy is her way to contribute to both. After she graduated from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in 1996, she decided to attend Phoenix Therapeutic Massage College (PTMC) in Phoenix, Arizona, a nationally accredited school that has been educating massage therapists for years. Following graduation from the 1,150-hour program at PTMC, she was fortunate to be the youngest massage therapist at the Ritz Carlton in Phoenix. It was a great experience and she learned an enormous amount from the seasoned therapists there. One of the best parts of the job was massaging a number of famous political, sports, musical and theatrical celebrities.
In addition to the knowledge and techniques Boo learned out west, when she returned to Richmond she gained new approaches from working as an assistant to a physical therapy practice. She knew she wanted to stay in her hometown of Richmond and decided to start her own practice. While building her practice Boo enjoyed doing pain management lectures and women's wellness workshops. She had a thriving practice for over three years.
After she had her first child she decided to work with the team at the Advanced Wellness Centre. We are happy to have her join our team because of her invaluable experience in massage therapy.
Jack Budd, Certified Massage Therapist
Jack Budd decided to pursue a career in massage therapy after graduating high school. Jack studied at the Cayce/Reilly School of Massotherapy where he was trained in holistic healing philosophy based on the principles of Edgar Cayce, a father of holistic medicine. In school, Jack learned the importance of treating the mind and spirit in addition to the body to achieve ultimate wellness. He studied such modalities as Reflexology, Craniosacral, Jin Shin Do, Shirodhara and Cayce technique, different from Swedish massage in approach. Jack graduated in 2001 and has been practicing in Richmond and the surrounding areas ever since, working in spas, salons, and in more clinical environments alongside physical therapists and chiropractors.
In addition to massage therapy Jack has a degree in music and is completing his music business degree at VCU. Jack is a trained classical guitarist and an active musician in several Richmond bands. He plans to return to school for music therapy and to explore the fusion of music and tonal therapy into his practice.
As the first male massage therapist to join the Advanced Wellness Centre, Jack's unique approach to massage is a welcome addition to our team.
Back to Top
Physical Therapists
Andrew J. Symula, MSPT
Graduating from New York's Ithaca College in 1997, Andrew received his masters in physical therapy from one of the top programs in the country. For the past two years he has continued his education and career at the Chippenham Johnston-Willis outpatient therapy clinic.
Besides focusing on manual therapy, his post-graduate education has included emphasis on functional orthopedics and extremity rehabilitation. Andrew has developed an eclectic hands-on style of treatment, combining soft tissue and joint mobilization, as well as exercise that can be directed towards the acutely injured patient or those suffering from chronic pain.
Aside from his professional career, Andrew is a musician, an avid cyclist, and runner who trains year round. He has realized the benefit of exercise, manipulation and soft tissue mobilization personally, effective for those who have not had results with conventional means. Andrew is excited about the services the Advanced Wellness Centre has to offer and the ability to contribute to such a dynamic clinic. His specialized clinical skills add yet another dimension to our dynamic multidisciplinary practice.
Indrani Agarwal, DPT
Since graduating with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007, Dr. Agarwal has developed a wide variety of skills while working in various clinical settings. Upon graduation, she gained valuable experience at UVA Healthsouth in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she worked primarily with patients with various neurological conditions including strokes, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and organic brain disorders.
Indrani continued her clinical work at Viriginia Health Rehab in Newport News, Viriginia, where she was able to take on a new avenue of expertise by pursuing outpatient orthopedics and pediatric rehabilitation. Here she further developed her hands-on approach to treatment through soft tissue techniques, joint mobilizations, and advanced therapeutic exercise.
Outside of her career, Indrani enjoys family time, hiking, traveling, cooking, reading, and cheering on her college football team --- Go Hokies! Her passion for helping others shows in her ability to work with her patients and develop a treatment plan that suits their needs and works to improve their quality of life. Indrani is an outstanding addition to the Advanced Wellness Centre's clinical team.
Back to Top
The Wellness Project
