Better Health

Through Better Health Care

Meet The Doctors

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Dr. Caleb Halulko

Dr. Caleb Halulko is passionate about health and wellness. He earned his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic and is proud to serve in beautiful Northern Michigan. He is passionate about health and helping inspire you to pursue an active and pain-free lifestyle.

Dr. Halulko’s experience includes working with people of all ages, from infant to senior. He also treats athletes of every level, whether they are recovering from injury or simply want to boost their performance. He is well versed in multiple chiropractic techniques, and is one of the few providers in Northern Michigan certified in Active Release Technique (A.R.T.). Dr. Halulko is also well-educated in the vital role clinical nutrition plays in healing and maintaining optimum health.

Dr Halulko is married to the beautiful and fun-loving Katybeth Halulko. They are proud parents of three children. The Halulkos know that Northern Michigan is a great place to raise their family and fuel a love for the outdoors; both are life-long sports enthusiasts and actively enjoy all that Northern Michigan has to offer – you can often find them skiing, snow-boarding, biking, or running.

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Dr. Adam Duress

Dr. Adam Duress joined the River of Life Team in September 2019. He earned his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.

Dr. Duress loves working with people of all ages and backgrounds. He is passionate about empowering his patients to take control of their health via holistic chiropractic care. He is trained in several adjusting techniques and is also one of the few doctors in the area certified in Active Release Technique (ART). Dr. Duress is also very comfortable discussing clinical nutrition with his patients.

Originally from Ohio, Dr. Duress is the middle son of his family, with whom he is very close. He is an avid runner – one of the first things he did upon arriving in town was to join the Traverse City Track Club. He has also since taken up cross country skiing and cycling. His other interests include reading, golfing, cooking, singing and playing guitar, and occasional trips to local breweries.

Meet the Massage Therapist

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STACEY WILCOX

Therapist

Stacey Wilcox is originally from Detroit, Michigan, but now calls Northern Michigan home. In the summer of 2019 she purchased her “base camp” in Empire, which she shares with her family, including two sons. Their goal is to play farmer and see how many plants and animals they can raise.

Massage Therapy has long been Stacey’s passion. She loves to assist her clients in meeting their health and wellness goals. She strives to get the message out that Massage Therapy is not just about one’s muscles – it is also amazing for the lymphatic, digestive, and endocrine systems. Stacey would like everyone to know that this treatment, combined with Chiropractic care, will help your body thrive as God intended.

Meet The Staff

Bellini

Kelly Ellis

Jil Good

Gayla Brief

Joanie Sternhagen

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Bellini

Bellini is the River of Life Royal Ambassador of Happiness & Cheer. She joined the team in January, 2020 and has grown into her role well. Bellini is of mysterious origin with tendencies toward the terrier family (otherwise known as Mutt). In her free time you will most likely find her adventuring on one of the many local trails, zooming in the sands of Sleeping Bear Dunes, or playing fetch in her backyard, all while sporting one of her custom-made seasonal bandanas.

Due to Bellini’s royal status, she has Thursdays and Fridays off.

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Kelly Ellis

Office Manager/Billing

Kelly Ellis was a patient of Dr. Halulko’s before joining the River of Life team in September, 2018 and will gladly attest to the profound healing and wellness benefits of chiropractic care, for acute conditions, as well as for maintenance purposes.

Kelly is originally from Toledo, Ohio, but has called Traverse City home since 2004. She has one adult son who lives in Phoenix and a cat called Reacher. Her life verse and personal motto are the same: Romans 8:28. Kelly is extremely passionate about Martial Arts. When not in the office or training, she likes to read, watch Mixed Martial Arts fights, and hang out with family and friends, whether at a beach or bonfire, or one of a variety of local establishments. She is active at Restoration Church, where she serves as Discipleship Director.

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Jil Good

Front Office

Jil Good has been with River of Life Chiropractic since the summer of 2019. She brings to the team more than twenty years of administrative experience and strives to provide outstanding customer service in our front office. You’ll enjoy her friendly face and voice Monday through Wednesday each week.

Jil and her husband Dan have three children and the cutest granddaughter in the world! She loves animals and often dog sits. In addition to her own four pups, she has been known to have up to twelve dogs in her house at a time!

When Jil is not working she can be found baking, traveling, spending time with family and friends, or reading by her pool. She loves a good mystery or historical fiction. Jil and Dan are active in their local church, Harvest Bible Chapel; they lead small groups and teach in kid’s ministry. Jil also shares her beautiful voice as a regular member of the worship team.

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Gayla Brief

Front Office

Gayla Brief is originally from Cedarville, Michigan in the U.P., but has lived in Traverse City for nearly 40 years with her husband, Joe. Between them they have six grown children, six grandchildren, four cats, and a big loveable dog called Jude. Since she’s semi-retired, Gayla often covers lunch hours and is on call to fill in at the front desk. She is out-going, very helpful, and easy to talk to, but when pressed to share a pet peeve she admits it’s drivers who don’t use their turn signals.

Gayla claims Psalm 23 as her life verse and lives by her personal motto: Life is short – live it to the fullest! And this she does, with her husband, family, and friends, from hiking and kayaking to hosting large pizza parties (her middle son creates the best pizzas!).

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Joanie Sternhagen

Local Marketing

Joanie Sternhagen provides marketing for River of Life Chiropractic. Joanie enjoys planning presentations and facilitating connections with medical and wellness professionals. She passionately promotes a holistic lifestyle through organic whole food nutrition supplementation and movement through exercise, believing an integrative approach to a healthy body, mind, and spirit is preferable.

Joanie made the move to Northern Michigan from Ann Arbor in 2002. When not working, she can be found running on trails or beaches. She is also an avid supporter of Hope Water International, a Christian-based running group with a mission.