About Me
Before becoming a nurse practitioner, I spent 17 years as a critical care nurse caring for some of the sickest patients in the country.
I’ve trained and worked at some of the premier hospitals in the United States, including Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Cedars-Sinai, Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, and Zuckerberg San Francisco General, the city’s only Level I trauma center. At the University of Washington, I specialized in cardiothoracic ICU and transplant medicine, caring for patients through heart and lung transplants. I later spent several years in perioperative and critical care at Kaiser Permanente, where I chaired the organization’s Research and Evidence-Based Practice Council.
That work shaped how I practice today. Many of my patients spent weeks or months in the hospital, and too often their illness began with something that could have been recognized and managed much earlier. I became a nurse practitioner to be the one who catches it early, and to help you stay healthy and out of the hospital.
Hablo español con fluidez y atiendo a pacientes en español, sin necesidad de intérprete.
To give busy adults direct, unhurried access to an experienced clinician who listens first, explains clearly, and builds a plan that fits real life, in English or Spanish, wherever they are.
A healthcare experience where problems are caught early, patients understand their own health, and care feels personal again, so fewer people end up in the hospital for something that could have been managed at home.
Evidence-based practice brings together the best current research, clinical experience, and your own goals and values. Medicine evolves constantly, and this approach keeps your care aligned with what actually works today, not outdated habits or one-size-fits-all protocols. Research shows what’s most likely to help. Your story shows how to apply it to you.
Many patients come to me after being told everything looks fine, yet they still feel tired, foggy, in pain, or not like themselves. I take that seriously. Normal doesn’t always mean optimal, and how you feel matters. Together, we dig deeper to find out what’s going on and how to help you feel better.
You’re an active participant in your care, not a passive recipient of it. I listen, ask thorough questions, and look at the full picture, including how your health connects to your work, stress, sleep, and daily life. Then we build a plan together that’s realistic for you and adapts as your needs change. I’ll explain the why behind every recommendation, from how a medication works to which lifestyle changes will make the biggest difference, so you can make decisions with confidence. Whether you need a major change or simple fine-tuning, you won’t be doing it alone. We’re a team.
The goal isn’t just better numbers on a chart. It’s more energy, less pain, greater wellbeing, and a longer, healthier life.
I once weighed more than 350 pounds, so I understand firsthand how hard losing weight can be, both emotionally and physically. I’ve lived through the frustration, the setbacks, and the health challenges that come with it, and I learned what it actually takes to lose weight and keep it off. If you’ve been struggling with your weight or energy and feel like you’ve tried everything, I’d love to hear your story. It isn’t about willpower, and you’ll never be judged here. I bring both clinical expertise and lived experience to help you find an approach that truly works for you.
During my NP training, I worked in addiction medicine with the San Francisco Department of Public Health and in street medicine, caring for patients through some of the hardest moments of their lives. That experience reinforced what I believe deeply: everyone deserves practical, respectful, judgment-free care.
Licensed in California, Florida, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, New York, Virginia, and Ohio.
A true life transformation is about far more than the number on the scale. It touches everything.
This journey taught me a lot, and I’m sharing it because it shaped how I care for my patients. Everyone’s path is different, and results vary, but here is what I learned.
Weight is not just a willpower problem. Biology, hormones, sleep, stress, and daily routines all push back, and the harder you try alone, the more discouraging it can feel.
Evidence-based care, a plan that fits real life, and steady support from someone who understands. Small, sustainable steps beat all-or-nothing approaches.
More than my eating. My habits, my mindset, how I managed stress, and how I looked after my health all had to change together.
It’s more than the scale. It’s energy, confidence, mobility, and everything in your life feeling different. That is exactly why I want to help you reach your goals.
I’m here to support you, without judgment, every step of the way.
Seventeen years of bedside and critical care experience, now applied to prevention.
Board-certified FNP-C (AANPCB)
Honored as a DAISY Award recipient for extraordinary, compassionate nursing care
Master of Science in Nursing & Critical Care Certification
Critical care nursing, including cardiothoracic ICU & transplant
Licensed in CA, AZ, NM, WY, WA, FL, VA, OH & NY
Tonies Health is growing. Lucas works alongside a collaborating physician to support more complex care needs, with additional providers joining as we expand access to care.
Founder & Lead Provider
Family nurse practitioner with 17 years of critical care nursing experience, providing primary care, weight loss, men's health, and mental health visits across nine states.
Collaborating Physician
Dr. Maxwell is a board-certified family medicine physician with more than 25 years of experience providing comprehensive, patient-centered care. He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
Alongside his primary care background, he brings specialized experience in emergency medicine and mental health, collaborating closely with Lucas to support patients with urgent, complex, and behavioral health needs.
Our care team is growing. More providers will be joining Tonies Health soon.
Schedule a telehealth visit today, or browse services to see where to start.
