Today we’d like to introduce you to Roxanne Altman.
Hi Roxanne, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
From a young age, I knew I was meant to care for others. I volunteered as a candy striper at a local hospital and enrolled in health courses throughout high school. I even wrote a letter to myself declaring that I would become a nurse someday.
But like many journeys, mine didn’t follow a straight path. I initially went into sales/marketing after being offered a job I couldn’t refuse. I enjoyed working with people and thrived in that environment, but after a while, the constant travel took its toll. I realized it was time to return to what I had always loved, healthcare, and I made the decision to go back to school.
While pursuing my education to work with people, I worked at a veterinary office, an experience that proved to be foundational in my medical training. I assisted with treatments, office visits, radiology, lab work, and even surgeries, gaining a wide range of hands-on clinical skills. Our veterinarian began sending ticks for testing to assess how endemic Lyme disease and co-infections were in South Carolina. I was struck by how many came back positive, and it sparked a deeper interest in complex, chronic illnesses—an area I now specialize in.
Later, I joined a functional medicine office where I spent nearly a decade working as the Head Registered Nurse and then Lead Nurse Practitioner. During my tenure, I had the opportunity to train and mentor other providers, helping expand access to functional care and supporting the growth of the practice. I’ve always found great joy in mentorship, and that passion extended into my time in traditional medicine as well. While working in a family medicine practice for seven years, I also trained several nurse practitioners, helping shape the next generation of compassionate, patient-focused providers.
In addition to my clinical work, I remain actively involved in professional leadership. I currently serve on the board of the Grand Strand Nurse Practitioner Association, where I also had the honor of serving as President for several years. Supporting my peers and advocating for our profession is something I consider both a responsibility and a privilege.
When the family practice I was working at shifted business models, I took it as a sign that it was time to bring my full vision to life. In December 2024, I opened Pure Wellness by Medicos—a place where conventional and functional medicine come together to provide personalized, accessible, and comprehensive care.
My own health journey has deeply shaped the way I practice. I’ve battled Hashimoto’s, Lyme disease and co-infections, which not only left me exhausted and searching for answers—but also destroyed my adrenal function and completely crashed my hormones. I know firsthand the frustration of being told everything looks “normal” when you know your body isn’t right. That experience fuels my empathy and commitment to patients who feel unheard. When they tell me something doesn’t feel right, I say: I hear you—and we’re going to keep digging.
Today, I help patients navigate similar struggles—especially those involving hormone imbalances, Diabetes, thyroid disease, fatigue, and chronic disease. I believe in using diet and lifestyle as a driving force in healing, and I complement those foundations with supplements and medications when needed. We have a God-given immune system that we must support, nourish, and care for—not suppress or ignore. Healing is possible, and I aim to show patients how to work with their body rather than against it.
At Pure Wellness, our guiding values are compassion, kindness, transparency, and empowerment. We listen, we educate and we support our patients in becoming their own health advocates.
We’ve also created an environment that promotes healing from the moment you arrive. Our office sits on a beautiful piece of property over a pond with a calming fountain, gentle music, and serene visuals. The goal is to remove the anxiety that often comes with visiting a medical office. Our space feels more like a welcoming home, and our team is always ready with a smile to help patients feel at ease.
Whether someone is dealing with a minor illness or navigating a complex medical condition, Pure Wellness by Medicos is here to serve. We offer a range of appointment options from traditional primary care visits to Deeper Dives. We accept insurance and patients without insurance to keep care accessible, and provide specialized services for those seeking a deeper understanding of their health.
At the heart of everything we do is one core belief: Health is a divine right. Everyone deserves to feel well, to be heard, and to experience the fullness of life.
At Pure Wellness by Medicos, we live by the words:
“Let us light the path to wellness.”
And that’s exactly what we strive to do—every single day.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it hasn’t always been smooth—but it’s been worth it.
Going back to school as an adult, especially with a family and a child, is definitely more challenging than going straight out of high school. Balancing coursework, clinicals, and parenting required a lot of dedication—but I was fortunate to have an incredible support system. My family never stopped encouraging me, even when things got tough.
I actually had our second child while in school, and I was doing homework from the delivery room! It sounds wild, but I never let anything stop me. I stayed focused and kept balance in my home life because being present for my family was just as important to me as succeeding in my career.
I was also surrounded by classmates who were in the same boat—juggling jobs, families, and school. That shared experience created a strong bond between us. We leaned on each other, supported each other, and I came out of that time with not only a degree, but lifelong friendships that I still cherish today.
The road may not have been easy, but every challenge made me stronger—and helped shape the provider I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Pure Wellness by Medicos, we believe healthcare should be compassionate, personalized, and accessible. Our clinic offers a unique blend of conventional and functional medicine, designed to uncover the root causes of illness and support true healing.
Unlike many wellness clinics that charge thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for functional care, we offer an insurance-based model wherever possible. For services not covered by insurance, our cash prices remain reasonable—because healing should never be out of reach.
We go beyond symptom management. Roxanne’s personal journey with Lyme, co-infections, and Hashimoto’s gives her a firsthand understanding of complex, overlooked conditions. She uses this insight to help patients who’ve been told “everything looks normal” but still feel unwell.
We combine traditional medical practices with functional testing, nutrition, lifestyle support, natural supplements, and medication when appropriate. Medicine is not one-size-fits-all. Every patient receives an individualized care plan, built around their goals, lifestyle, and full health picture.
We take the time to truly listen—and to help you become your own health advocate.
Our clinic is designed to put you at ease. We’ve created an environment that feels more like visiting a friend than a doctor’s office. From the moment you walk through the doors, we want you to feel relaxed, heard, and cared for.
We offer a wide range of services, including but not limited to:
• Family Medicine & Primary Care
• Hormone and Adrenal Support
• Chronic Illness & Fatigue
• Autoimmune Conditions
• Thyroid Disorders (Hashimoto’s, etc.)
• Nutritional & Lifestyle Counseling
• Advanced Lab Testing
• IV Therapy & Supplement Protocols
• Wellness Visits & Preventive Care
Whether you’re struggling with a chronic condition, recovering from burnout, or just want to feel like yourself again—we’re here to help.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
In 2024, Roxanne was on the verge of signing a lease to open her own clinic—but something told her to pause. She decided to pray and reflect one more night before making the leap.
The very next day, one of her former students introduced her to Dr. Santiago. A meeting followed—and a partnership was born.
From the start, Dr. Santiago believed in Roxanne’s mission: to create a space where conventional and functional medicine could come together in a way that’s compassionate, affordable, and truly patient-centered. As a mentor and business partner, he has played an essential role in bringing Pure Wellness by Medicos to life. Without his support, the clinic would not have been able to accept insurance—something that has been critical in making quality care accessible to the community.
This journey has been filled with blessings, growth, and a lot of hard work. Roxanne would like to express her deepest thanks to her family for their unwavering love and encouragement, especially during the long days and uncertain moments.
She also wants to recognize the incredible support of her staff, Taylor and Kim. Whether it was handling the day-to-day operations or solving challenges as they arose, they’ve stood beside her with dedication and heart.
To the many people who prayed, encouraged, and believed in this vision—thank you. And to the patients who followed Roxanne through all the changes, your loyalty, trust, and kindness have meant the world.
Thanks to your support, Pure Wellness by Medicos has been honored with two community awards in a short time since opening—proof that the love and care put into this practice is being felt by the people it serves.
We are so grateful for this community and remain committed to lighting the path to wellness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://purewellnessbymedicos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purewellnessbymedicos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574772347656
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pure-wellness-by-medicos-murrells-inlet
