Dr. Kent has 30 years of experience in the healthcare field.  She began working as a clinical nutritionist upon completing her bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition from Florida State University in 1995. After furthering her education with a M.S. degree in Health and Human Performance, she worked as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary wellness at Orlando Health hospital system.  After many years of caring for terminally ill patients, she developed a strong interest in alternative and preventitive medicine. ​At the age of forty, Dr. Kent chose to begin her journey of becoming a chiropractic physician.  As a student intern, she earned the Clinical Excellence Service Award from her Clinical Mentor, and upon graduation in 2016, opened Balance Chiropractic & Wellness Care.

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A life-altering injury and surgery spurs a vision

A pivotal life event inspired Dr. Cheryl Kent to start Balance Functional Medicine, the sister company to Balance Chiropractic and Wellness Care. After an automobile accident, Dr. Kent suffered several life-changing injuries, including head trauma and a disc herniation in her lumbar spine. As she sought care for her symptoms of headaches, fatigue and chronic severe back pain, she directly witnessed the shortcomings of traditional medicine.

 

While her approach with her own patients was already an alternative medicine model, her shift changed to an even more proactive and holistic one.  At that time, Dr. Kent was faced with the probability of  a second spinal surgery to relieve her severe back pain, was struggling with adjusting to the whole body changes brought on by menopause, and was unsuccessfully managing the  stress of running her own practice. That's when a light bulb came on. She knew that although the causes of her symptoms were being treated, she still did not feel WELL. Something was just not functioning properly in her body, but what? Functional medicine gave her the answer to that question and some much more.  This is what she wanted to offer to her patients. ​

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When the doctor becomes the patient: Practicing what you preach.

Dr. Kent faced the  challenge of expanding her expertise to include the science behind functional medicine.  She began by becomming her own first patient. What better way to set the standard of excellence, than to develop protocols of individualized care plans development that are centered around treating patients the way she wanted to be treated? Her standard of excellence and professionalism  soon established her reputation as a provider of exceptional care. Furthermore, her proactive approach to networking and seeking mentors within and outside the healthcare industry who supported and promoted functional medicine played a crucial role in building a robust support system that has helped propel Balance Functional Medicine to success.

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Empowering the community through holistic health

Dr. Kent’s commitment to community health extends beyond the walls of Balance Functional Medicine. She actively engages with the community by hosting free events that focus on self-advocacy and holistic health practices. Recognizing the importance of accessible health resources, she has compiled a comprehensive directory of holistic healers, ensuring the community has access to a diverse range of health options. Additionally, as an active member of The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Beta  Sigma Omega Chapter, Dr. Kent helps to serve her local community through various programs, events and scholarships..

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Dr. Kent has been a Florida resident since 1980 and has lived in Central Florida since 2007. She is the proud mother of three grown children and two grandsons. In her spare time, you can find her watching Florida State Football, golfing, running and weight training.  She competed as an IFBB professional athlete from 2010 to 2017 and is a  6x IFBB Professional Figure Champion.

 

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