Spotlight on a Community Innovative Wellness Center Healing Latinas
A Miami business serving up healing for Latinas, body and soul.
Dr. Elizabeth Trattner, Doctor of Chinese & Integrative Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist, has opened the doors to her business, Helia House, a non-toxic, biophilic, sustainable healing and wellness oasis located in North Miami that provides a clean, safe, chemical-free, high-vibrational environment for her patients to be treated.
Helia House is the true essence of a healing space, an all-encompassing, well-building from the ground up, with every last detail. From the type of sealant used on the windows to the type of wood used for the cabinetry, millwork, and doors; nothing within or around the building is toxic. As someone who suffers from multiple chemical sensitivities and knows the negative effects of poor air quality, harmful building materials, and lack of sunlight, Dr. Trattner has had the dream to be able to create a space where she and her patients can breathe freely, not have skin irritations, headaches, or feel foggy while inside.
What makes it different:
Dr. Trattner, says “I invested my heart and soul into Helia House and it was crucial that I work with the partners that understood that this is not just a green space, but one that is completely non-toxic”.
“I chose a team that includes LEED-certified architects, a LEED-certified and Florida Green Building contractor, an environmentalist who supervised every item in the building, a Feng Shui master, and many other talented and highly educated colleagues—all of whom were committed to creating a pure, safe, healing space. Our team went above and beyond regulatory thresholds for the sustainable certification, making it completely clean and non-toxic to fulfil our mission as a true home for healing.”
Helia House is a space with a whole new level of healing that carries the energy of the earth. The name Helia derives from the Greek word for ‘sun,’ which is reflected in the building itself. The fully restored mid-century modern building is flooded with natural light, which minimizes the need for electric lighting, and all indoor lighting was made by female artisans in Morocco, Tunisia, and Italy.
Helia House also revolves around the concept of sacred geometry and crystal energy. Helia House features more than 1,000 crystals throughout the property, with crystal grids laid personally by Dr. Trattner in the garden, treatment rooms, floors, walls, and doors. Crystal grids use stone energy in a synergistic way where the sum is greater than the parts and those in Helia House were designed for healing and positive intention for all who enter the space.
We asked Dr. Trattner about her business journey.
If you had to describe Helia House in three words, what would they be?
Innovative, Experienced, Heart-Centered.
Where did the idea come from?
Helia is the daughter of the Sun in Greek Mythology. My building incorporates concepts of biophilia, bringing the outside in. The sun gives us life and nourishes us all.
What makes Helia House unique?
The concept of Helia House is a wellness center that incorporates green and nontoxic building, biophilic, feng shui, and LEED certification. When building my business, I decided early on that I was going to go above and beyond any certification ever done in the US, not only for the health of my patients, but because I believe this is the next wave of wellness.
At Helia House, we offer treatment for women and men’s health, weight management, allergies, autoimmune diseases, environmental illnesses, green beauty, and cosmetic acupuncture, as well as a Signature Gemstone Acupuncture Facial℠. Helia House will also host community education programs, which will include lectures and workshops with all proceeds from the events going to the underserved in the community.
How did your roots influence your career path?
When I was finishing college, I became deathly ill, had an asthma attack, and coded. After my near-death experience (NDE) no one could help me get well. I did a ton of research in the library to figure out what was making me sick, and I learned it was actually what was in my environment. A year later I met Dr. Andrew Weil, who not only was my doctor, but he helped shape my career. I knew after I survived my NDE that I had a job to do. Thirty-five years later, my dream of creating a non-toxic, safe, healing space has come true.
What would you say was the most important challenge you had to overcome in getting to where you are today?
So many people gaslit me and told me I didn’t look sick, didn’t believe I was sick, and didn’t believe in me. I knew deep down inside that there was something I had to do whether people liked it or accepted it. Even building Helia House was a challenge, because in commercial real estate this has never been done.
I built my building for people who are very sick. I wanted Helia House to be a safe place for people with environmental and chemical sensitivities; for people who feel sick going to the grocery store, box stores and other public places. My builders were wonderful, but it was my environmentalist, who I have worked with for 25 years, and I, who really advocated for everything in the building, from the floors to the roof to keep things in compliance with my vision.
If you had to give our readers financial advice for their own businesses, what would it be?
Take a business course! I cannot stress the importance of how critical it is to understand how to run all aspects of a business. As someone in the medical field, I had no idea until I was in my fifties and I did a business mentorship. I was so scared because I am horrible at math, but ultimately, you have to understand the bottom line. Don’t let fear hold you back, embrace it!
I had been saving for more than 20 years, but I also took a small loan out against my home to help with building costs. There were different financial hurdles I had to jump over to make this dream come true.
Would you have done anything differently?
Building a building during a pandemic was a little insane, but it kept me focused. I wish I would have taken a business course sooner to help me achieve my dream earlier in life. In retrospect, I also wish I would have kept a better work/ life balance. I dove in deep during this project. All the while, I lost my brother during the pandemic and working served as a huge distraction from my grief. I am now trying to get my balance back!
Most of successful people are surrounded by people who inspire or help them reach their greatest potential. Who was that person for you?
My mentor is Dr. Andrew Weil, MD. He was so out of the box and innovative for the time especially in the 70’s. I followed in his footsteps doing something no one else has done. He is my mentor, my friend, my doctor, and someone who inspires me even today! He showed me a different modality of healing. Not only do I owe my life to him, but also my career.
On the daily basis, I have my wonderful husband, Steve, and my daughter, Charlotte. Both have always believed in my dream. Since marrying my husband 35 years ago, I dreamed of working alongside him. Now we work in the same building!
How do you balance professional and personal life?
That’s a good question, and I have been trying to find my equilibrium again! Working out, eating well, and good sleep are paramount to your wellbeing, physical health, and spiritually. It is so important to surround yourself with family and friends who accept and support you. Also, taking time away from work gives you incredible clarity. At the time of this interview, I am currently on a staycation, my first break after 2 straight years of working. Down time is just as important as work time.
How have you and the Latino community helped each other?
Based in Miami and serving a high contingency of Latinos, I feel that Latinos are on top of their game and the Miami Latinas are so smart and really understand things regarding health, wellness, and the environment; much better than their American counterparts. I am truly grateful for the Latino community in Miami for supporting my business. In 2019 I co-chaired the Global Wellness Institute Beauty Meets Wellness roundtable in Miami for the Latina community. Latina voices in the beauty and wellness industry are so strong but need to be amplified.
For me it is about understanding and embracing the beautiful culture of all Latinas, while also giving back to underserved communities. This is part of my business mission.
Where do you see Helia House in 10 years? And yourself?
I would love to create more Helia Houses across the US. I truly believe that well buildings are the next big trend in wellness. I would also like to teach more as it is important to always pass down knowledge to the next generations.
Like this story? Follow Dr. Trattner on Instagram at @Dreliztratts and @HeliaHouse!
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