40 JANUARY 2024 By Rachael Bouley It’s been a big year for Enovative Wellness Center, with founder Dr. Greg Jones and his team celebrating the first anniversary of their new offices in Arizona Biltmore. Jones, a retired Naval nuclear engineer officer with 20 years under his belt, reflected on his journey into naturopathic and functional medicine, which was inspired by his mother’s health history and a desire to help others. As a young boy from Chicago who moved around a lot, who was often without a solid home space, Jones learned to adapt quickly and embrace diverse cultures and communities. “My childhood was challenging due to my mother’s mental health issues, but it was not without nurturing or love,” Jones said. “I have nothing but positive things to say about the specialists that took care of her, but she was never educated nor offered any supporting treatments to improve her quality of life, energy and vitality.” While dealing with his mother’s health challenges, Jones gravitated toward science and enjoyed tinkering with electronics, an interest he put to use when he joined the Navy after high school. “My path to the Navy was of necessity. Not my proudest time in life, but I became a rather listless student toward the end of high school, did not apply myself academically and did not put myself in a position for college,” Jones recalled. He was required to take the military entrance exam and, after receiving an extremely high score, started receiving calls from recruiters. At his mom’s urging, he chose to take the Nuclear Field Qualification exam and soon joined the Navy’s Nuclear Power program. “When I say this was the light switch that changed my life, I do not exaggerate,” Jones said. “The challenge of joining one of – if not the most – academically challenging military professions lit my fire and gave me the confidence, discipline, and work ethic that still impacts how I work and approach difficulty to this day.” After retiring from the Navy, Jones worked in quality engineering at Honeywell Aerospace as well as in comedy productions, two things he enjoyed but knew weren’t his true calling. Still, they taught him perseverance and patience as he transitioned from active duty and set his sights on his next goal. Remembering how his mom was never offered alternatives or complementary therapies, Jones was inspired to open his own business: a holistic wellness center where custom treatment plans are celebrated, and healthy living is supported at every step. “I do not have negative feelings toward traditional medicine, but I wholeheartedly believe the future of medicine is integrative and preventative,” Jones said. He and his team set their foundation on finding the root cause of symptoms and using the most effective therapies that combine naturopathic, traditional, and innovative therapies as needed to help get patients as healthy as they can be. Jones studied at the Sonoran University of Health Sciences and said that launching Enovative Wellness has been an amazing and rewarding journey. “Our approach is simultaneously educational, patient-centered, forward- thinking, and based on science old and new,” Jones said. “I am extremely proud of my staff as they have been integral in growing the practice by over 450 patients since we opened 13 months ago. We are learning every day, and the journey is just beginning.” With year one in the books, Jones says they want to continue growing their patient base and offerings to optimize patient health while supporting future health professionals. “I want to mentor and train more new doctors and get more involved in inspiring young men and women of color and underserved communities to pursue careers in the medical field,” Jones said. enovativewellness.com From nuclear engineer to naturopathic physician Dr. Greg Jones with his mother, who encouraged her son to take the more challenging path in life. This led him to a 20-year career in the Navy as a nuclear engineer, to graduating with honors as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. PHOTO COURTESY OF GREG JONES By Shi Bradley Early Educational Cooperative Preschool (EECP) celebrated their 62nd anniversary this year with a big gift: a new location. The operation expects to relocate to 56th Street and Lafayette Blvd., where they will rent space from Shepherd of the Hills, UCC. The preschool was founded in 1961 by members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation. The church operated the institution until 2015 when it became an independent nonprofit. EECP values a play-based education while incorporating principles like Creative Curriculum and Reggio Emilia to its two- to-five-year-old students. Each program is named after a bird: The Desert Dove Toddler Program is for two- year-olds, the Hummingbird Preschool Program is for three-year-olds, and the Owl Pre-Kindergarten Program is for four- and five-year-olds. “EECP is an intimate, family-oriented, nurturing environment,” Director of Administration Nancy Wilson said. “Our teachers are focused on guiding children through negotiating conflict, making friends and learning how to solve problems.” A typical school day consists of indoor and outdoor time. Students are given choices about what activities they want to do and when. EECP educators – there are eight, with 50 years of collective experience between them – are uniquely qualified in that they have degrees and extensive experience in teaching young children. “Our educators undergo training and professional development each year in the types of curriculum and programming we utilize,” Wilson said. “Teachers also host a monthly parent meeting on topics specifically targeted to the age and stage of the children in their class.” Parent involvement is strongly encouraged, with moms and dads agreeing to volunteer, participate in community work days and building events (like Fall Fest and the annual auction), and serve on the parent committee. In May 2024, EECP will relocate to 56th Street and Lafayette from its original location in Paradise Valley. Wilson and Education Director Sarah Root said the decision was made as a way to expand the school’s offerings. “Our programming has always been limited due to our physical location,” Root said. “Our new setting will have five classrooms and a larger outdoor space. We’re looking forward to all the opportunities this change will bring.” Wilson and Root hope to keep getting families involved with EECP and to grow the student community. The school offers scholarships and collaborates with local charities. “We want to grow our space to meet the needs of more children and families while also keeping the close-knit and warm, welcoming feeling that has defined our school for so many years,” Wilson said. cooppreschool.org Preschool celebrates anniversary, plans move into the heart of Arcadia J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 945-7122 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2015 006441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 CALL (480) 945-7122 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 945-7122 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com erican Family Mutual Insurance Company, . & its Operating Companies, 00 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 2015 006441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 ALL (480) 945-7122 FOR A O-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE. SURANCE DESIGNED WITH OU AND YOUR DREAMS IN IND. J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 945-7122 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2015 006441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 CALL (480) 945-7122 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. CALL (480) 990-8855 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE.