Hickory Office
Michelle Ollis, DNP, FNP
Michelle Ollis graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2003. With a dedication to furthering her education and expertise, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2015, followed by a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) from the same institution in 2021. Throughout her distinguished career, Michelle has gained extensive experience in Labor and Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Nursery, Pediatrics and Critical Care nursing. She has excelled in various roles, including bedside nurse, charge nurse, nurse manager, patient care coordinator, and nursing supervisor. Her practical expertise spans acute care settings in two community hospitals located in Hickory, NC, and Morganton, NC, where she serves as a Nurse Practitioner caring for hospitalized patients.
In 2016, Michelle transitioned to academia, joining Lenoir-Rhyne University as a full-time professor. She was appointed as the FNP Director in 2022, where she is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of nurse practitioners and advancing the field of nursing education. Michelle co-founded Harmony Health and Wellness in Hickory, NC, in 2023, a venture that exemplifies her commitment to holistic patient care. In addition, she published an article in November 2021 in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychology entitled “A Program to Improve the Assessment of a Child for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.” As part of Optimal Health and Wellness, Michelle is eager to integrate her extensive clinical and educational background into functional medicine, providing patients with comprehensive and personalized healthcare solutions.
Meet Melissa Di Natale
Melissa Di Natale, EdD, PMHNP-BC is a distinguished healthcare professional who co-founded co-founded Harmony Health & Wellness in Hickory, NC in 2023. This cutting-edge practice combines comprehensive medical, aesthetic, and mental health services with a unique integration of functional medicine.
With more than 20 years of experience in teaching and over 15 years of psychiatric expertise, Melissa uses her wealth of knowledge and dedication to teaching to support patients in achieving optimal health and holistic well-being. Apart from her career pursuits, Melissa values spending time with her hubby, two German shepherds, three grown children and their partners, and four energetic grandchildren. As a passionate traveler, she finds great pleasure in exploring unfamiliar cultures and accumulating exceptional experiences from all over the world, which enhance her personal and professional growth.
Meet Sara Piercy
Sara Piercy, DNP, FNP-C has served as a nurse practitioner for nearly ten years, primarily in acute medicine caring for hospitalized patients. Transitioning from full-time hospital medicine in 2021, Sara pursued her passion for teaching and currently teaches in the undergraduate and graduate/doctoral nursing programs at the university level.
In 2023, Sara co-founded Harmony Health & Wellness, an integrative medical and aesthetic practice in Hickory, NC. By integrating functional medicine into her current practice, Sara hopes to combine her vast experience in healthcare with her teaching enthusiasm to empower patients in managing their health and achieve holistic well-being. Beyond her professional endeavors, Sara enjoys making memories with her family, reading, and traveling.
Meet Carla Fallas
Her doctoral research focused on bridging the gap in Type 2 diabetes education for Spanish-speaking individuals. This research led to the development of a six-month self-management program aimed at improving access to care and diabetes management strategies. In 2020, Carla published a manuscript in the Journal of Clinical Diabetes titled “Improving Self-Care Management in Low-Income Latinos With Type 2 Diabetes Using Peer-Led U.S. Conversation Maps: A Quality Improvement Project in a Free Clinic,” following her successful implementation of a multicultural diabetes group program at a community center in Charlotte.
For the past ten years, Carla has worked and volunteered for Camino Health Center in Charlotte, addressing health intervention barriers and leading quality improvement initiatives. In September 2020, she was nominated for the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics’ Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Equity, recognizing her efforts in improving chronic disease outcomes.
In 2023, Carla co-founded Harmony Health, an integrative wellness clinic that emphasizes functional medicine, weight loss management, mental health services, and aesthetic treatments. She is deeply committed to understanding the unique life stories of her patients and enhancing their overall well-being.
Carla also serves as the DNP Program Director and Assistant Professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s School of Nursing. In her role, she teaches Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Concepts of Clinical Nursing for the FNP-DNP program. Her professional interests include chronic disease management, health literacy, diverse population care, obesity, depression, and leadership. As an educator, she emphasizes deep understanding and cultural sensitivity, fostering student engagement through active learning, cooperation, and high expectations.
