Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Norwood FNP, ENP, and Stephanie Fennema PA-C
Hi Beth and Stephanie , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Our careers began nearly two decades ago, traversing various locations separately until five
years ago, when our paths finally converged at a small primary care practice in Spring Hill, TN.
Although the difficult work environment at that clinic ultimately prompted our departure, we
transformed that negative experience into something positive and beautiful—Magnolia Medical
was born. Our practice is founded on principles of integrity and compassion. We look to God for
guidance and we strive to follow the golden rule. We prioritize patients’ healthcare goals and
needs without the constraints of insurance. As a direct primary care practice, we maintain
smaller patient numbers, allowing us to dedicate more time to each individual. With a monthly
membership model, our patients enjoy unlimited visits with no co-pays. We are truly humbled by
the warm welcome from the community and look forward to growing our practice to serve even
more individuals and families.
Stephanie: I started my journey as a PA almost 20 years ago. I spent the beginning of my career in the hospital in surgery and
cardiology. After about 5 years as a PA working in the hospital, seeing patient after patient continue to bounce back into the
hospital and then die, I came to the conclusion that the medical system takes care of the sick but does not do a good job at
keeping people well. That was the beginning of my paradigm shift for me in what and how I practice. I began to study
nutrition, functional medicine and wellness in my free time. In 2017, I started working at a functional medicine practice had
the opportunity to use so many of the tools I had been learning about. I met Beth while working at our former practice and
was so thankful to have a like minded friend and provider.
Beth: I began my professional career as an engineer, but quickly returned to my true passion-
medicine. While finishing up my engineering degree, I took a part time job at a local hospital in
the nursing administration office. This was my first experience working in the medical field and I
instantly knew medicine was my calling. The problem was, I only had one semester left to
graduate with an engineering degree. Could I change my major now? I decided to continue on
my engineering path, obtained my degree, and took an engineering job in Nashville. A few years
into my career, I was offered the opportunity to take a voluntary layoff. I knew this was my
chance to leave engineering and explore medicine. I took that chance and I have never looked
back.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Opening a new business from scratch is a daunting task even to the most seasoned business
professionals. Now imagine two female medical providers with a small amount of business
experience between them starting this new and exciting venture. We have learned a lot along
the way and continue to learn every day. One of biggest challenges are the things we do not
know. As the old saying goes, “you don’t know what you don’t know.” We have found this to be
true. We are still working to surround ourselves with the right mentors and advisors to ensure
our business’ success.
Stephanie: Beth and I launched Magnolia in June of 2024. To be fair, I am not sure either of us would have had the resilience or
courage to start our own practice if we were not forced to, but that is the truth – we had no other choices. If we wanted to
continue to practice the way we wanted to with compassion and integrity, we were going to have to be brave and venture
out on our own.
We were able to pull together a medical practice and start seeing patients in about 8 weeks. I have never worked so hard in
my life, my husband bought me ear buds so that I could better manage the constant phone calls. At this point I remember
that season with fondness and we grew together as a team.
Beth: There have been ups and downs along the way, but I have never questioned my career change.
My first few years in Emergency Medicine were intense and taught me so much. There were so
many co-workers that poured into me and helped me learn. Although some may think switching
from engineering to medicine is a big jump, my analytical skills from engineering have continued
to help me in medicine. My research mind set from engineering has also contributed to me
learning more every day. Speaking of learning more, opening Magnolia was a labor of love and I
am very proud of how much we have learned. The sky is the limit and I can’t wait to see what
the future brings us.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We both bring a variety of work experience into our practice, and we believe that sets us apart
from the rest.
Beth started her career as an engineer and still applies her analytical mind and curiosity to
medicine. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with her master’s in nursing and has over
18 years of experience practicing medicine. She is dual certified in Family and Emergency
medicine. Her expertise includes acute illness and injuries, wound closure and procedures,
pediatrics, wellness and nutrition, and thyroid disorders. She also has special interests in
functional medicine and the role of nutrition, fitness and wellness in overall health. Beth strives
for clean eating and toxin free living and enjoys sharing tips on achieving a cleaner lifestyle with
others. She enjoys being outdoors, vegetable gardening, reading and spending time with her
husband and 2 children. Beth is active in the life of her church family.
Stephanie has been a Physician assistant for 20 years. She started her career at UAB’s surgical
PA program and has never lost her love of surgery and sutures. She has functional medicine
training through the Institute for Functional Medicine and spent years working alongside a
functional medicine MD. Stephanie loves to use all the tools she has gathered through
traditional and functional medicine when she approaches a patient. She has practiced for more
than three years in Cardiology, Pediatrics, and Emergency Medicine. She has additional skills in
Dermatology, women’s health, and hormones. Stephanie loves caring for her patients but her
top priorities in life are her husband, family and the Lord. When Stephanie is not at work she
loves spending time with her brave husband, Mike, who continues to recover from a spinal cord
injury. Stephanie loves her role as mother to 5 amazing kids, and in the tiny moments she is not
caring for her family or patients you will probably find her exercising or in the garden.
We also owe a lot of our success to our wonderful operations manager, Jessica Beckham. She
brings a ray of sunshine and happiness to the office. She has completed her Bachelor of
Science in biochemistry from MTSU. Jessica has extensive knowledge in the daily operations
and interworking of a direct primary care clinic. She has an amazing skillset as a lab coordinator
and is a wonderful teacher for patients regarding traditional and functional labs. Jessica is
fantastic at getting things done but she never puts tasks over people. She is happy to help with
patients, administrative needs and general questions. In her free time, Jessica loves to spend
time on her grandparent’s farm with their goats.
Stephanie: I would say I am known for hormones and taking care of children and I love both. Helping women with all the hormonal
changes they face as the move from decade to decade is a huge passion. I also love taking care of children from our home
visit newborn visits to their pre college physicals, being part of families in taking care of their children is a special honor and
pleasure.
Beth: I spent the first year of my career in rural medicine and women’s health. The next 15 years, I
practiced Emergency Medicine and also spent time in urgent care and primary care. Before
opening Magnolia, I spent 4 years at a small function and holistic primary care practice where I
met my business partner, Stephanie. I preferred a more holistic approach to health and
wellness. I like combining holistic medicine with traditional medicine in a way that helps
encourage wellness while caring for the patient. In primary care, you tend to be a “Jack of all
trades”, so I would not say I specialize in any one thing. I love seeing kids and families and
being able to take my time with patients. I want all patients to feel comfortable talking with me,
to feel heard and to know they are in good hands. I treat every patient the way I would want to
be treated and the way I would want my cherished family members to be treated. Compassion
and Integrity are what I strive for every day.
Pricing:
- Adult (includes one free child under 18 per adult membership) $125/month
- Young Adult (ages 18-25) $75/month
- Family of 4 (two adults and two children) $250/month
- Family of 5+ (two adults with three or more children) $300/month
- Nom-member Hormone consults $250/visit
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.magnoliafranklin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnoliamedicalfranklin
