Midwest Wellness Institute PLLC

"I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Jenn Pipitone. I'd moved to Minnesota from another state and needed a new prescriber as my former prescriber's practice no longer allowed her to prescribe medication for out-of-state patients. I'd been on a consistent and stable medication regimen for 4-5 years that worked for me but wasn't necessarily perfect and I was open to input from Dr. Jenn. For a couple of my medication's, Dr. Jenn suggested the dosages were excessively high and suggested any and all prescribers who'd allowed my dosage in the past were irresponsible. I'm a large person with considerable muscle mass and have experience trying different medications and dosages for the class of medications in question for 20 years. Dr. Jenn brought up concerns about my heart health, but I have absolutely no family history of heart issues, am in the best physical shape of my life, and have blood pressure in a normal range. I credit the medications in question with saving my life, and first tried them after a suicide attempt. I indicated my willingness to try a reduced dosage and, through tears, stated my hope that I'd find some provider who'd work with me to allow a gradual change if my dosage were reduced. Dr. Jenn was willing to prescribe a dosage that was the equivalent of 1/5th of the dosage I was at. She also went ahead and threw the word "addiction" and "addicted" into the conversation [suffice it to say the medications were not opioids, this wording wasn't needed, and I found it very insulting and hurtful]. I consider Dr. Jenn to be inflexible, judgmental, unprofessional, and harmful to my psychological well-being. I was happy to work with anyone who believed some change in my medication regimen was needed. I didn't need the shame. The dramatic change demanded has me anxious and panicking (here's an opportunity for a cheap shot where Dr. Jenn or a colleague can suggest the anxiety is a result of my medication regimen). I drove 200 miles for this appointment and had to complete a lot of paperwork and struggle with insurance beforehand. I'm writing this under a pseudonym because I already feel great shame for talking about the fact that I take medication. I've worked with mental health professionals for over 20 years. The very worst ones will insist they know what's best for you, no matter how far away that is from what you think is best for you. They won't meet you in the middle. They won't meet you one step away from their position."

"I called on December 28 2021 to set an appointment prior to the end of the week to have it fall within 2021. I wanted an office visit to speak with someone about an issue and I would need a refill on a particular prescription once my current prescription ran out in two months. I simply needed to know if they could prescribe it before becoming a patient. Twice, I described what the medication was and I wanted to be sure they could prescribe it. Nothing was said as to that they couldn't provide that. The appointment was set for Thursday the 30th. I completed 14 pages of medical information they requested and emailed it to me. I went into the appointment and within 5 minutes I was told they could not prescribe the particular medication. I left. Being the day before New Years Eve, no other appointment could be made prior to 2022. I called shortly thereafter to let them know I'd be in on Monday to get a check to cover the cost of my time and an appointment at another office. I would now be subject to 2022 deductable. I stopped in on January 3rd and spoke with the CEO (Kyle Korver). It was a respectful, business-like discussion. He said he understood the situation and would get back to me. I shook his hand and thanked him for his time. He never responded. I called on Friday the 7th to discuss the resolution and was told he was on vacation. Today, the 10th, I called again and was told he was still on vacation. The receptionist, Kim, told me to not call again or they would call the police. I invited her to do so. Police would have laughed at the request. She informed me that the owner does not want me to call anymore. Well, I had thought the CEO was the owner. Nope, this, evidently, was Dr. Clay Pavlis. I told the receptionist to have him call me. I have, since, discovered he is the Chief Medical Officer (not responding either way when I asked if he was the owner). It would appear he falls in under CEO Korver. That would explain neither a yes or no when asked if he was the owner. Evidently he's Korver's Lieutenant. He did call and proceeded to berate and lie as to a statement made by the receptionist that I had been harassing and would "stare at her though the window". This is a mental health service. Sounds to me the receptionist should take advantage of any discount an employee could get. I have better things to do with my time than to stare at her through a window! Quite humorous and creative though. Pavlis suggested what I was doing (getting an appointment within the current year) was "Insurance fraud". How laughable and he'd report me. I suggested he do that. I called him Clay. His response was "It's DOCTOR PAVLIS to you!". How pompous! In any event, there are two receptionists who are inept, at best, a CEO who couldn't care less about his business and an owner, supposedly Dr. Clay Pavlis who was threatening over the phone without getting good information as to what had had happened leading to all this. My suggestion is stick with Avera or Sanford where they employee certified physicians not match book cover individuals. And perhaps a place which has more than two reviews."

"the support staff at MWI is very understanding and caring. Abbey Kitto, DNP, has cared for me for more than 2 1/2 years. She always has my best interest in mind, listens to my concerns, and does everything to help my quality of life. I would highly recommend MWI without question."

"The Dr.s and staff are great,great people who really care! Being treated like family,instead of feeling lost! It's a great place for a new beginning! Dr.Plavis and Dr.Abbey Kitto and the nurse Kate? I love you guy's! Your all the BEST!!!"