OUR STORY
The Elm was founded by Dr. Alicia Robbins with a simple but revolutionary belief: women deserve more than rushed visits and one-size-fits-all care.
After years as a faculty physician at Mount Sinai in New York and later at Greenwich Hospital, Dr. Robbins saw firsthand how traditional models left women — especially in midlife — without the time, attention, or proactive support they truly needed. Inspired by her patients and her own experiences as a woman, she created The Elm as a sanctuary for women’s health: a place where care is personal, appointments are unrushed, and each woman is seen as a whole person.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
At The Elm, women’s health is never static — and care should never be either.
THE DR. ROBBINS METHOD™
Developed by Dr. Alicia Robbins, The Dr Robbins Method™ is the foundation of care at The Elm. It ensures that every patient receives the same consistent, high-quality approach across our entire clinical team.
By moving beyond symptom management, this method addresses the whole picture — creating a clear, thoughtful pathway to lasting wellbeing.
Every clinician at The Elm is personally trained and mentored in The Dr Robbins Method™, so no matter who you see, you can trust your care reflects Dr. Robbins’ expertise and the most up-to-date science in women’s health.
OUR TEAM
The Elm is led by a team of board-certified clinicians, each extensively trained in The Dr Robbins Method™ and certified by The Menopause Society. Together, they bring a rare blend of medical expertise and genuine compassion.
EMILEE BISCHOF, WHNP-BC
BOARD-CERTIFIED NURSE PRACTITIONER
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Emilee first earned her Bachelor’s in Business from Sacred Heart University before pursuing her passion for nursing at the University of Connecticut. She went on to complete a Master of Science in Nursing in Women’s Health at Kent State University, combining her diverse background with a strong clinical foundation in midlife women’s care.
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Outside the office, Emilee enjoys life with her husband, their two children, and their affectionate mini poodle, Stuart. She’s a tennis enthusiast, a recent Mahjong convert, and finds joy in both family chaos and a good rally.
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What first inspired you to work in this area of women’s health?
Experiencing traumatic events during my pregnancies made me realize the profound impact compassionate care can have. These experiences ignited a deeper purpose within me. Now, navigating the new life stage of perimenopause, I feel that similar sense of vulnerability, further strengthening my commitment to supporting women through every stage of life.
Health Hack: What’s one feel-good go-to you personally recommend—something simple that makes a big difference?
Daily morning walks to school with our mini poodle have become a grounding ritual. The early sunlight helps regulate our circadian rhythm, boosts our mood and energy, and lowers our stress levels. No dog? No problem. Just a short morning walk outdoors can make a meaningful difference.
Three anchors you rely on for your own wellbeing:
My best friend and I joined the same gym, and our weight training sessions keep me motivated and connected; those morning family walks to school, a quiet time where we set our intentions for the day ahead; and lastly, a nightly tradition of “rose and thorn” at dinner or bedtime, where we share the best and most challenging parts of our day.
How do you personally think about or approach perimenopause/menopause?
I like to think of midlife as a personal rebrand. It’s not a decline but a chance for growth and reinvention. I encourage women to see these transitions not as endings but as powerful beginnings.
What’s one thing you wish more women knew about this stage of life?
This stage can feel disorienting, but you are not alone. It’s a marathon, not a sprint—and with support, you can feel strong, cared for, and enough.
Emilee specializes in midlife women’s health with a warm, calming approach that makes even the most complex health conversations feel clear and manageable. She is extensively trained in The Robbins Method™ and certified by The Menopause Society. Patients describe her as both deeply compassionate and clinically precise.
KATHERINE CLARK, AGNP-BC
Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner
Katherine is passionate about enhancing perimenopause and menopause care, emphasizing compassionate listening and tailored health plans that empower her patients. She brings both medical expertise and a grounding presence, helping women feel seen, heard, and supported through every stage of midlife.
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Katherine earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing from Columbia University School of Nursing in New York City. She also holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She began her clinical career in primary care at Columbia Doctors, where she developed a deep understanding of preventative health within modern medical systems.
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Katherine enjoys active outdoor adventures with her husband and two young children. She is a longtime practitioner of yoga and meditation, loves exploring new places, and finds joy in her garden or a vigorous cardio session.
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What first inspired you to work in this area of women’s health?
There is no greater privilege than taking care of people who take care of the world. When women feel better and thrive, the whole world benefits.
Health Hack: What’s one feel-good go-to you personally recommend—something simple that makes a big difference?
At the end of a hectic day, making a nutrient-rich, colorful salad slowly. Even better if eaten slowly with people you love.
Three anchors you rely on for your own wellbeing:
Yoga, gardening, and a bedtime gratitude practice with my kids.
How do you personally think about or approach perimenopause/menopause?
Midlife does not need to signal the beginning of decline or descent, but a powerful opportunity to remember ourselves. My work is to empower women to find their unique combination of tools—hormones, nutrition, therapy, movement, meditation, community—so they can surf the profound shifts of perimenopause and menopause (and beyond) with as much strength and ease as possible.
WHAT’S One thing you wish more women knew about this stage of life?
This stage of life can be disorienting and quite uncomfortable, but you are not alone. You deserve to get the support you need to feel better and to remember that you are (and always have been) beautiful and enough.
SARAH PURCELL, RN
Registered Nurse
Sarah is dedicated to maternal and midlife health, bringing warmth, care, and a deeply personal approach to her patients. Known for her approachable style and compassionate presence, she focuses on building meaningful connections and providing high-quality care with genuine empathy.
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Sarah earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, where she served as President of the Student Nurses’ Association and Captain of her soccer team. She is currently training to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and will lead programs for The Elm’s younger patients.
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Sarah loves staying active and never passes up a trip to the beach—especially Cape Cod, where she enjoys slow afternoons with a rom-com novel. She shares her days with her mini goldendoodle, Benson, and treasures simple pleasures like ice cream nights and time with friends.
KAREN RETANA
Practice Manager
Karen brings extensive healthcare expertise and a deep dedication to patient experience. With a background in emergency care and labor and delivery, she ensures the clinical and operational flow of The Elm is seamless, supporting both patients and providers with steady care and precision.
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Karen earned her Bachelor’s in Biology from Southern Connecticut State University. She has worked as an Emergency Technician at Yale–New Haven Hospital and as a Certified Nursing Resource Assistant at Greenwich Hospital.
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Karen enjoys discovering new restaurants with friends and family, and cherishes cozy evenings at home watching movies. She values the comfort that comes from sharing laughter, good food, and connection with her loved ones.
NADIA VAN DER HEYDEN
Chief Operating Officer
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Nadia spent nearly two decades as a paramedic specializing in critical care and aviation retrieval medicine. She has held leadership roles in international emergency response, including medical coordination during Haiti’s 2021 earthquake.
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Nadia is based in Mexico where she leads her consulting business. She is a passionate polo player and founder of Las Brujas Polo which is elevating female players and access to the sport. When not at her laptop she's in the saddle with her horses Fiona and Dali or on the beach with her dogs Stella and Rubio.
Since October 2024, Nadia has served as COO of The Elm, where she has been instrumental in optimizing operations, enhancing patient experience, and refining clinical workflows. With decades of experience in clinical care and healthcare systems strategy, she brings a structured, scalable approach that makes The Elm both efficient and empathetic.
DR. ALICIA ROBBINS MD
Founder & Medical Director
Dr. Robbins is a board-certified OBGYN, Lifestyle Medicine physician, and certified menopause practitioner who founded The Elm to provide the care she wished existed for women in midlife: personalized, unrushed, and rooted in the latest science. She is nationally recognized as an expert in perimenopause, menopause, and proactive women’s health.
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She completed her medical degree and residency at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, where she also served as full-time faculty before relocating to Greenwich. She worked at Greenwich Hospital for five years before opening The Elm. She is a certified Menopause Society practitioner and a diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine.
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Outside of the practice, Alicia loves spending time with her husband and their three active boys. She is passionate about supporting local female-founded businesses and finds joy in simple pleasures like leisurely dinners with friends and time spent in the countryside of southern Arizona, where she grew up.
THE ELM IS Care That Keeps Evolving
At The Elm, we believe your care should evolve as you do. That’s why The Dr Robbins Method™ combines standardized protocols for preventative GYN health, as well as hormone and longevity protocols that are not only current, but ahead of emerging treatments.
Dr. Robbins regularly attends or speaks at leading medical conferences, reviews emerging research, and updates clinical protocols in real time to reflect the most advanced approaches in hormone therapy, longevity, and women’s health.
Because we deserve better than outdated protocols and one-size-fits-all care.
EXPLORE OUR SERVICES
Our services include gynecology, hormone therapy, medical weight loss, and advanced longevity treatments — each designed to evolve with you through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.
FAQS
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We take the time to understand your history, lifestyle, and goals, focusing on root causes rather than masking symptoms. This proactive model promotes long-term wellness, ensuring your care evolves with you and reflects the most current science in women’s health.
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The Elm is a boutique concierge gynecology and hormone therapy practice specializing in women’s health, with a strong focus on perimenopause, menopause, and hormone optimization.
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Our clinical team includes Dr. Alicia Robbins, who oversees our protocols and board-certified nurse practitioners Katherine Clark and Emilee Bischof, alongside RN Sarah Purcell. Each is trained in The Robbins Method™ to ensure consistent, expert-level care.
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Yes. All Elm clinicians are certified by The Menopause Society and bring advanced expertise in midlife women’s health, including bio-identical hormone therapy, testosterone, FDA-approved medications, and longevity treatments.
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We do not participate with commercial insurance, as this would limit the time and access we can offer. However:
– Labs, imaging, and pathology (such as pap smears) are billed through your insurance.
– Superbills are provided for annual visits and procedures, which you can submit for potential reimbursement.
Please note: reimbursement is not guaranteed and depends on your individual plan. -
Your membership includes medication management and lab ordering, but the cost of medications and labs depends on your insurance coverage. Compounded medications or off-label treatments (such as testosterone or GLP-1 therapies for weight loss) are typically out-of-pocket.
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No. Our practitioners are not enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare, so care and prescriptions are managed outside these programs.
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Our Virtual Hormone Therapy Program is fully telehealth-based and available to patients in CT, NY, and NJ. It includes secure video visits, messaging access, lab coordination, and prescription management.
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Yes. Many of our patients come to us for a second opinion or to transition care. During your initial consultation, we’ll review your current regimen and goals to determine the best next steps.
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Most women in perimenopause or menopause experiencing symptoms such as hot flashes, low libido, sleep disruption, brain fog, fatigue, mood changes, or weight gain are strong candidates. The best way to know for certain is to schedule an initial consultation so we can review your health history and goals.
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Age alone does not rule you out. Our clinicians will review your cardiovascular and overall health profile to assess safety. Many women benefit from hormone therapy well beyond the “ideal window.”
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Book a Complimentary Information Call
Not sure which membership is right for you? We’re here to help.
Every new client at The Elm is invited to begin with a complimentary 15-minute Information Call. This conversation gives you the chance to learn more about our offerings and discover which membership may be the best fit for your care needs.
Who you’ll meet
You’ll speak directly with Karen Retana, Practice Manager at The Elm.
With a background in emergency care and labour & delivery, Karen brings extensive healthcare expertise and a deep dedication to patient experience. She ensures the clinical and operational flow of The Elm is seamless, supporting patients and providers with steady care and precision.During your call, you will:
Learn how our memberships work and what they include
Gain clarity on which option may suit your goals best
Have the opportunity to ask any questions before joining
Important to note:
This call is for informational purposes only. No medical advice will be provided during the conversation. -
We currently welcome patients from Connecticut and New York, with plans to expand to New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Arizona in the near future.
Ready for care that evolves with you?
If you’re new to The Elm, start with a call to our team so we can guide you through your first steps.
Current patients, please reach out to our office to arrange your next visit.