We had the good fortune of connecting with Larisa Lopatko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Larisa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
With 20 years in the U.S. medical field and a decade as a primary care provider, I was done with the “15-minute visit” hamster wheel. I realized the traditional insurance model prioritizes volume over value, which wasn’t serving my patients or my purpose.

I started Avelia Medical to reclaim the patient-provider relationship. By focusing on Direct Primary Care and Functional Medicine, I’ve traded rushed appointments for unhurried, root-cause care. My thought process was simple: I wanted the freedom to actually listen to my patients and the time to help them truly heal.

What should our readers know about your business?
Avelia Medical offers two separate paths to health: Direct Primary Care and Functional Medicine. Both models are built on my 20 years of medical experience and a firm belief that medicine should be fundamentally preventative. I specialize in bioidentical hormone replacement, women’s health, metabolic dysfunction, autoimmune conditions, and GI health.

What sets us apart is the shift from reactive to proactive care. I’ve traded the traditional short visits for unhurried, root-cause investigations. Transitioning from a veteran clinician to a business owner wasn’t easy—it required a leap from clinical comfort to entrepreneurial grit—but it was necessary to reclaim the patient-provider relationship.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that time is the most powerful tool in medicine. I want the world to know that Avelia Medical is a true partnership. We move beyond symptom management to address the “why” behind health concerns, helping our community move from just “not sick” to truly thriving.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting, we’d focus on the perfect mix of high-altitude adventure and intentional wellness.

Morning Rituals: We’d start at Wonder Press for organic, cold-pressed juices or Boxcar Coffee on Pearl Street for the best local atmosphere.

The Great Outdoors:
A hike at Chautauqua Park to see the iconic Flatirons is a must, followed by a trip to Eldorado Canyon State Park for a more secluded mountain experience. On Saturday, we wouldn’t miss the Boulder Farmers Market to connect with our local regenerative farmers.

Dining & Drinks:
For dinner, we’d head to Blackbelly for their incredible commitment to sourcing or Leaf for a clean, plant-forward meal. We’d also grab tea at the historic Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse—it’s the perfect place to slow down and catch up.

Relaxation:
We’d round out the week with a scenic drive up to Nederland to breathe in the fresh mountain air. It’s the ultimate “Boulder” experience: active, nourished, and grounded.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My journey is a reflection of the mentors who pushed me to think deeper. I am deeply grateful to my former colleagues at ASU Health Services and Dr. Diane Labban, DNP, MBA, for anchoring my clinical and leadership foundations.

Additionally, the scientific framework from Tracy Harrison (SAFM) and the groundbreaking books by Dr. Terry Wahls were instrumental in my transition to root-cause medicine. I am honored to stand on the shoulders of these visionary leaders who believe healthcare can be better.

Website: https://www.aveliamedical.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larisalopatko?igsh=MTZ1bWthdXFvd2NzZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larisa-lopatko-09a4b551/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larisa.lopatko.98

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