Our Vision
Creating health to reveal meaning and ultimate purpose
Our Mission
It is the mission of Telos Functional and Integrative Medicine to provide customized and personalized care for each of our clients. We accomplish this by applying a Systems Biology approach to our practice of medicine.
In alliance with our clients, we succeed by leveraging leading-edge science to decipher the complex interaction of our clients' genomes and their unique epigenetic responses to exposures over time.
What is Telos?
The term "telos" holds a deep significance in the journey we undertake together. In ancient Greek philosophy, telos refers to an ultimate purpose, a guiding aim that shapes our actions and desires—a destination not merely of place but of purpose and fulfillment. In the context of healing, telos represents something far greater than the absence of illness; it is the pursuit of wholeness, a return to our natural balance, and an alignment with what is deeply meaningful to each of us.
At Telos Functional and Integrative Medicine, this sense of purpose is woven into our approach. We recognize that health is not a static goal but a living, evolving journey. Our aim is not simply to alleviate symptoms but to explore and support the unique needs of each individual on their path to well-being. In honoring this purpose, telos serves as a reminder that our work together is guided by more than just clinical outcomes; it is shaped by the pursuit of an authentic, whole, and balanced life.
Dr. Cheng Her
Meet Dr. Her
I’m Dr. Cheng Her, and my journey into Functional and Integrative Medicine has been a path of both revelation and humility. Life, in its enigmatic and mysterious way, sometimes brings us to the edges of what we know, showing us that wisdom often lies beyond the familiar borders of traditional knowledge.
My early years in medicine—gaining my MD from the University of Minnesota, completing my Family Medicine residency and my MS degree in Population Health at the University of Wisconsin, and guiding students, residents, and fellows as a Clinical Associate Professor while practicing full scope Family Medicine—were fulfilling, yet this only hinted at the depths that true healing could require.
It wasn’t until my late wife, Dr. Stacy Her, whom I loved deeply, faced an intense and formidable health struggle that I encountered the humbling awareness of medicine’s limitations. Watching her endure with courage and hope in the face of seemingly catastrophic odds ignited within me an overwhelming sense of urgency and despair. I felt, for the first time, what it meant to truly grasp for understanding, to yearn for a way to mend what seemed unfixable. This personal experience, though profoundly painful, revealed the gap between treating illness and healing the person. It showed me that, to heal, we must look not just at symptoms but at the whole, interwoven story within each individual.
In my search for a more complete approach, I found myself drawn to Functional and Integrative Medicine, an approach to the practice of medicine and healing rooted in honoring each person’s inner landscape. My certification with the Institute for Functional Medicine in 2018 was less of a destination and more of a doorway—a way to connect ancient wisdom with modern science, to ask questions that invite each individual to discover their own path toward balance and vitality.
Through Telos Functional and Integrative Medicine, I approach each individual with this sense of reverence and inquiry, understanding that health is not a single destination but an ever-changing journey. If you’re here, you, too, are seeking something beyond a cure—you’re seeking a return to wholeness.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey toward your telos. It is a privilege to walk alongside you as we explore the depths of health and purpose, step by step, moving closer to a state of wellness that feels complete and true. Let’s get to it.
Meet Shannon
As the Clinic Manager and PEMF Practitioner at Telos, I have the privilege of welcoming people into a space where they can feel seen, supported, and cared for. I love being the person who answers the phone, greets you at the door, and helps make your experience here feel comfortable from the very beginning.
Before joining Telos, I spent more than two decades in the dental field, working in roles that allowed me to build meaningful relationships with patients and families. Over the years, I discovered just how much I value connection, compassion, and creating an environment where people feel safe. When Dr. Her invited me to join the Telos team, I wasn’t sure I was ready for such a big change, but it quickly became clear that this is exactly where I’m meant to be.
My history with Dr. Her goes back many years. He first cared for me, and then for my family- my husband, Clint, and our two children, Ava and William. His presence has been an incredible blessing in our lives, and working alongside him now is something I’m truly grateful for every day.
What I love most about my role at Telos is the people. Every person who walks through our doors has their own story, their own challenges, and their own hopes for the future. Being part of their journey — even in small ways — is something I deeply cherish. I try to show up each day with kindness, intention, and a commitment to becoming the best version of myself, and I’m honored to support others in doing the same.
Shannon Howard
Michelle Sulentic
Meet Michelle
Hello! My name is Michelle Sulentic and I am a Registered Nurse with over 25 years of experience in both hospital and clinic settings. My nursing journey has taken me through a variety of specialties, including Massage therapy, Women’s Health, Labor and Delivery, Pediatrics, and Primary Care. I have also completed my certifications in Functional Health Medicine in Nursing, Nurse Coaching in Health and Wellness, and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy. This training allows me to approach healthcare from a holistic perspective, empowering my patients to take charge of their own health journeys.
My role here at Telos is to guide and coach you along this journey; to create a safe, supportive environment where I can help you understand and interpret the language of Functional Medicine and the process of supplementation and other treatments. Functional Medicine, to me, is about unraveling the "why" behind health issues—recognizing that changes in one part of the body can influence the overall system. I want to guide you gently in finding the “healthier you” so you can live your life to the fullest.
In addition to my role here at Telos, I have had the pleasure of raising five amazing human beings (Ethan, Matthew, Natalie, Alexis, and Sam) and I currently live in the town of Onalaska, WI, with my husband, David. In my free time, I find solace in nature. I love surrounding myself with plants, flowers, and landscape. I enjoy backpacking/camping with my husband, hiking with friends, and pool time in my backyard. I will never pass up a time to laugh, hold/snuggle a baby, or just be silly! I take pleasure in the small things and I will always send you off with a hug.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about my journey and my commitment to nurturing health. I hope we get a chance to meet!
Our Studio
Visit our new clinic and facility where we provide a state-of-the-art wellness center and teaching kitchen.
