Kirsten Wechsler
Kirsten Wechsler
Originally from Southern California, Kirsten has called the Vail Valley home for close to 30 years. Bringing decades of successful marketing and project management experience, she has been a vital member of every team she’s been a part of including a senior executive for a large, national marketing firm. She’s also worked with countless professionals across the Valley and understands the importance of customer service and making sure every detail is handled efficiently and effectively.
In conjunction with Dr. Lan, Kirsten spearheaded the InSpero Medical Center from its inception. By implementing their vision of creating a clinic that helps patients find the medical treatment they need, that goes beyond conventional medicine, she and Dr. Lan have built an integrative medical practice that offers evidence-informed health care. Their functional medicine approach strives to find the reasons behind illnesses and Kirsten goes the extra mile to assist with providing the necessary answers and solutions. Kirsten has been instrumental in overseeing the clinic’s expansion over the years.
As Executive Director, she applies her passion for integrative healing and wellness, along with her strong business background, to everything she does. Kirsten’s hands-on, compassionate demeanor and incomparable work ethic makes her the best possible advocate for patients. She is also a forward-thinking problem solver who is the first to take initiative in any situation.
When Kirsten isn’t working, she can be found fly-fishing with her husband anywhere and everywhere there is water. She also enjoys traveling, uphill skiing, backcountry snowboarding, mountain biking and hiking Colorado’s beautiful trails.
From Patient to Unwavering Advocate.
For most of my life, my health and fitness felt effortless. When I moved to the Vail Valley in my early 20’s to pursue snowboarding, it was an easy transition from my native Southern California lifestyle of sunshine and surfing. It wasn’t until the stress of working as a senior marketing executive combined with a bad diet and an unhealthy lifestyle that my physical and mental well-being began to noticeably suffer.
Within 6 months, I went from a size 6 to a size 14. I felt tired all the time, my skin was littered with acne and rashes, and my brain became cloudy and slow. My doctor diagnosed me with hypothyroidism, and I started taking Synthroid. The numbers on my lab tests improved, but nothing changed about how I felt. I knew there had to be more to what was going on and this wasn’t just my “lot in life,” so I decided it was time for a change. In pursuit of a new career where I could make a difference in people’s lives, I found Dr. Susan Lan and we became fast friends.
Dr. Lan dove into figuring out why my health had changed, and we set on a course to reverse it. She switched me to more natural thyroid replacement and I followed her recommendations to the letter about my diet and lifestyle. I lost 60 pounds in less than 3 months, my skin cleared, fatigue became a thing of the past, and I required less and less thyroid medication. Ultimately, we discovered the roots (plural – it’s never usually just one thing) to my thyroid dysfunction and I no longer take any thyroid medication.
I believe this is what makes me successful in my job. I’ve been sick without answers. I’ve been told this is just my body aging. I understand what people with chronic illness are going through. I’ve seen how functional medicine and lifestyle changes work to help the body heal. Supporting people on their healing journey is so fulfilling and what I live for.