YOU'VE DONE EVERYTHING RIGHT. Your body didn't get the message.
Physician-led care in hormone optimization, weight loss, and peptide therapy — based in Wilmette, serving families across the North Shore.
Board-certified physicians • SSRP-certified peptide specialist • FDA-registered pharmacy
You're not imagining it.And you're not out of options.
You train. You eat right. You show up even on the days you're running on empty. And something still isn't working — energy, weight, sleep, recovery — none of it bouncing back the way it used to.
Most of our patients already have a doctor telling them their labs are fine. What they don't have is someone connecting those numbers to how they actually feel, and building a real plan from both.
Lake Avenue Wellness brings physician-led optimization care to Wilmette for North Shore patients who want answers beyond normal labs, generic protocols, and rushed primary care.
WHERE YOU SHOULD START
Hormone Optimization
Metabolic Health & Weight Loss
Recovery & Performance
Physician-led. Always.
Every Lake Avenue Wellness patient is seen and treated with a board-certified physician directly overseeing the plan — not signing off on it after the fact.
Dr. Tarak Chokshi
Dr. Richard Scuderi
Shaily Patel, N.P.
Josh Black
Kristin Bissing, N.P.
Stephanie Mansfield, MA

Board-Certified Physicians

SSRP-Certified Peptide Specialist

FDA-Registered Pharmacy
CARE THAT'S BUILT AROUND YOU.
Nothing here comes off a shelf. Full labs, physician review, and a protocol built around what your biology is doing right now — not what a template assumes it’s doing.
No broad recommendations or pre-set protocols.
Consultation
A physician sits down with you — your symptoms, your history, what you've already tried, and what you actually want to change. This isn't a 10-minute check-in. It's where your plan starts being built.
Data
A comprehensive panel — hormones, metabolic markers, inflammation — built around what your symptoms suggest, not the standard annual screen. Your physician reads every result against your clinical picture, not just against a reference range.
YOUR PROTOCOL
A plan built from your labs, your history, and your goals — not a standard protocol with your name on it. Adjusted as your physiology changes. Nothing here runs on standing orders.
What our patients say
EXCELLENT Based on 24 reviews Posted on Google Dalton WrightTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very friendly staff. Always willing to answer my questions as well as explain the various types of treatments and their benefits.Posted on Google Kendall ATrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I like this place for weight loss. It is very helpful and they take the time with you. Where as other places are worried about serving the next patient.Posted on Google Karina CosioTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My husband and I have really benefited from the weight loss appointments. Their schedule is very accommodating!Posted on Google antioch aTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I come here from Antioch for an IV occasionally and it's always a smooth process. The online booking process is very user friendly. The IVs have truly boosted our immune systems and we avoided getting our normal colds and sick days this past winter, which is big for us since we run a seasonal family business. Very pleased with the service here and we continue to refer friends all the time.Posted on Google Kathy MacLennanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Allana Bush was an amazing help to me in my quest to feel healthier and lose weight. She is a great listener and very knowledgeable. I definitely recommend Allana and the Forest Lounge.Posted on Google Ed BohrerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Knowledgeable staff and practitioners. They are very complete and take time to listen. Extremely friendly. Very vested in my success.Posted on Google Jean HarvellTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was my first time for an IV Infusion and a visit to The Forest Lounge. I immediately felt welcomed by the incredible forest decor, feeling quite tranquil for my appointment. More importantly, I was promptly taken care of by their healthcare professionals, Allana and Stephanie. I am looking forward to my next infusion and exploring additional services at The Forest Lounge. I am hoping to see special healthcare events at "The Lounge" in the near future.Posted on Google Teresa NealTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Alana is extremely knowledgeable in this field. I look forward to our visits.
Care shouldn’t stop after the first protocol.
For patients who want more than a single program — our Direct Primary Care membership adds same-week physician access, quarterly lab reviews, and a physician who tracks your full picture year over year. Not a yearly appointment and a portal notification. A doctor who actually knows what changed.
Starting at $199/month · No long-term commitment required
Your first conversation is on us.
Your first visit isn't a sales pitch — it's a conversation. We go through what's been happening, what you've already tried, and give you a straight answer on whether our approach is right for you.
No pressure either way. If it fits, we'll map out next steps. If it doesn't, we'll say so. That's the standard from the first conversation on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lake Avenue Wellness?
Lake Avenue Wellness is a physician-led optimization clinic in Wilmette, IL. We offer hormone therapy, medical weight loss, peptide therapy, IV therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and Direct Primary Care — all under the oversight of board-certified internal medicine physicians.
We’re not a med spa, a telehealth platform, or a subscription service. We’re a clinical practice built around lab-driven, physician-supervised care for patients who want real answers, not a packaged protocol.
How is this different from seeing my regular doctor?
Most primary care is built around sick visits — you have a problem, you get addressed, you leave. We practice differently. Our physicians evaluate the full picture of how you’re functioning: hormones, metabolism, sleep, inflammation, body composition, cognitive performance.
We look at where your numbers should be for you to feel like yourself, not just whether you’ve cleared a minimum threshold. And we build a plan around what we find, rather than managing symptoms as they appear.
I've been told my labs are normal but I still don't feel right. Can you help?
Yes — and this is one of the most common reasons patients come to us. Standard lab panels are calibrated to identify disease, not to tell you where your hormones or metabolism need to be for you to function at your best.
“Within range” covers a wide span, and where you fall inside that range matters. Our physicians read your labs in the context of your symptoms, your history, and your goals — not just against a reference threshold.
Do I need a membership to start?
No.
Most of our programs — hormone therapy, medical weight loss, peptide therapy, IV therapy, and HBOT — are available without a membership.
Direct Primary Care membership is a separate option for patients who want ongoing primary care integrated with their optimization programs. It’s not required to get started with any specific program.
Do you accept insurance?
We operate outside of insurance — direct billing, no copays, no prior authorizations, no surprise charges. HSA and FSA funds are typically applicable for most of our programs. We can provide documentation for out-of-network reimbursement if your plan covers it.
We find that most patients prefer the clarity of knowing exactly what they’re paying rather than navigating insurance approval for every visit.
What happens at a first visit?
Your first visit is a real conversation with one of our physicians — not an intake form or a rushed appointment. We go through what you’ve been experiencing, your history, what you’ve already tried, and what you’re trying to accomplish. From there we’ll tell you honestly whether our approach makes sense for your situation, what it would involve, and what it costs.
No commitment required. Most patients know by the end of that first visit whether this is the right fit.
Who is a typical Lake Avenue Wellness patient?
Most of our patients are active, health-aware adults on the North Shore — professionals, executives, competitive athletes, working parents — who feel like something has shifted and want to understand why. Many have already seen a doctor and been told their labs look fine.
They’re not sick. They’re just not operating at the level they know they’re capable of. They want a physician who will look at the full picture and build a real plan, not manage the symptom and move on.