About Us
Born From Experience, Built for Real People
Our Story
Welcome to Thrive MD Wellness, where your path to sustainable health begins with clarity, compassion, and proven medical guidance.
Here, your story matters. Every milestone, every challenge, and every victory becomes part of a wellness journey built on trust, personalized care, and a commitment to helping you feel your best physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Our Journey: Guiding Real People Toward Real Health
Thrive MD Wellness started with a simple idea: What if weight loss care was designed by people who actually understood the struggle?
Kevin Stoddard and Dr. Kelley Stoddard, a retired OB/GYN physician, launched ThriveMD Wellness after their own journey with weight, burnout, and frustration with traditional healthcare. They knew these medications worked—but access was limited, and most clinics offered little real support.
So they built something better: a place where affordability, empathy, and medical expertise come together.
MORE THAN A WELLNESS CLINIC
In the world of medical weight loss, where science supports every step, your progress is shaped by proven care, steady guidance, and meaningful encouragement.
With a team dedicated to clarity and compassion, we help you build lasting change, one healthy choice at a time, so you can enjoy greater confidence, energy, and well-being.
committing to excellence
Our Philosophy & Approach
We don’t teach for crash diets or shortcuts. We provide true catalysts for lasting change.
We give you the tools and skills to help build the habits that keep the weight off.
We believe:
1. Health isn’t a mystery. The fundamentals still work.
2. Most people need a starting push to break old cycles.
3. True change happens in small, consistent steps.
4. Losing weight doesn't need to be hard.
Our patients receive:
1. A tailored medical plan that starts with physician care
2. Medications that reduce appetite and re-align hunger cues
3. Coaching on food, movement, hydration, and mindset
4. A structured tapering process to create long-term success
Our Facility
Thrive MD Wellness
12724 Gran Bay Parkway West
Suite 410
Jacksonville, FL 32258
Meet the Team
Dr. Kelley Stoddard, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Kelley Stoddard is a retired OB/GYN physician with over 20 years of experience, serving in the role of medical director for Thrive MD Wellness. She and her family moved to North Florida in 2009 where she has been providing excellent care as an OB/GYN physician to the women of the Jacksonville area. Her recent retirement has allowed her to take on an advisory role and continue pursuing her passion for improving health and wellness for the people of North Florida.
Specialties
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Boards
- American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Florida State University (Tallahassee , FL)
1993 – 1997
- Doctor of Medicine
University of Miami School of Medicine (Miami , FL)
1997 – 2001
- Residency
University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences (Knoxville , TN)
2001 – 2005
Dr. David Kastl, MD
Physician
Dr. David Kastl, MD is a cardiovascular surgery specialist and has over 50 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 1973.
Dr. Tarik Alsharif, MD
Physician
Dr. Alsharif graduated from the Dow Medical College in 1997. He specializes in Family Medicine and Internal Medicine.
Kevin Stoddard
Founder
Founder and coach, on his own successful weight loss journey.
What to Expect in Your First Visit
We want you to feel confident walking through our doors.
Here’s what happens:
- Health Evaluation: Vital signs, health history, weight goals.
- Physician Consultation: Review medication eligibility and any questions.
- Coaching Introduction: Overview of protein goals, movement, and mindset work.
- Medication Start: Many patients receive their first dose that day.
You’ll leave with a plan, a path forward, and people in your corner.
Our Mission
1 Million Pounds in Florida
We’re not here to treat symptoms.
We’re here to help rewrite stories.
Our goal is clear and measurable: Lose 1 million pounds across the state.
- More access to affordable medication
- More support than a typical med spa
- More belief in what’s possible
One patient at a time, we’re creating lasting change.
Medicine You Can Count On
The doctor-prescribed, all-natural, weekly treatment is a custom-blended medication that is individually formulated for each patient, called Semaglutide or GLP-1. Every time we eat, a specific hormone is automatically released in our body that gives us a feeling of fullness. The medicine targets the brain and mimics that full feeling, plus reduces appetite, slows stomach emptying, and ultimately decreases your caloric intake.
Your body also has a “set point” which is the number on the scale your weight normally hovers around. The treatment plan creates a new, lower set point after you lose your weight goal amount.
Approximately 70% of American adults are obese or overweight. Being obese or overweight is a serious health issue associated with some leading causes of death, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, and is linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Losing 5% to 10% of body weight through diet and exercise has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in adult patients with obesity or overweight.
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) analog. GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the small intestine that stimulates insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon secretion thereby lowering blood sugar. Studies show that Semaglutide reduces appetite, improves control of eating, and reduces food cravings in addition to improving glycemic control.
Clinical Trials Results
Clinical trials by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration showed patients on this amazing drug lost an average ~15% of their body weight or ~35 lbs, but with longer-term yields showed results in a weight loss of 30%!
There's Hope on the Horizon
On June 4, 2021 the FDA approved the first new class of weight-loss medications after almost a decade, called Semaglutide or GLP-1. The drug is indicated for chronic weight management in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or greater who have a least one weight-related ailment or in patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater.
Imagine not having to fight hunger pangs that can throw you off your diet and back on the weight-gain wagon. As a result of taking the medicine, you’re feeling better, have a healthier life, and losing weight has had a positive impact on your overall well-being. The New York Times and TV networks said this could be the new Miracle weight loss medication taking the weight loss industry by storm Even Dr. Oz called this revolutionary fat-busting drug “a true game changer.”
It's Not Your Fault You Can't Lose Weight
We’ve all been there. Diet after diet and no permanent weight loss. You’ve tried Keto, Paleo, meal plans, online diets, raw food, vegetarian, vegan, blood type, detox, liquid, fasting, low-calorie, low-carb, and low-fat. Even gastric band surgery isn’t always successful.
As Seen On
Meaningful Results After Weight Loss May Include
- Feeling better and looking better
- Reversal of certain health conditions
- Better relationships with family, friends and co-workers
- Enhanced emotional health, mental clarity and improved mood
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower triglycerides
- Less risk of heart disease
- Improved insulin resistance
- Lowered risk for multiple cancers
- Less need for prescription drugs
- More energy
- Enhance immune system
- Improved mobility and reduced pain
- Higher self-esteem
- Improved eating habits
- Enhanced sex life and less erectile dysfunction
- Fewer headaches
- Balanced hormones
- Clearer skin
- Better sleep
Vitamin B12 + Glycine: A Powerful Boost for Every Body
These two nutrients are compounded into your injections to support deeper, whole-body wellness. Vitamin B12 energizes your system at the cellular level, strengthening red blood cell production, supporting healthy nerve function, and aiding DNA repair, while glycine works behind the scenes to nourish muscles, protect joints, calm inflammation, and support liver health. By incorporating vitamin B12 and glycine into your diet or supplementation regimen, you can support vital bodily functions and enhance overall health.
Vitamin B12
- Red Blood Cell Formation: Vitamin B12 is essential for producing red blood cells, which help prevent anemia and maintain energy levels. (Mayo Clinic)
- Nerve Function: It plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of nerve cells, supporting proper neurological function. (Mount Sinai)
- DNA Synthesis: Vitamin B12 is involved in synthesizing DNA, the genetic material in all cells, ensuring proper cell division and function. (Yale Medicine)
Glycine
- Muscle Growth and Repair: Glycine is necessary for the synthesis of creatine, a compound that provides energy to muscles, aiding in muscle growth and repair. (MedicineNet)
- Joint and Connective Tissue Health: As a major component of collagen, glycine supports the health of joints, tendons, and ligaments. (MedicineNet)
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Glycine has been shown to reduce inflammation, which can help prevent various diseases linked to oxidative stress. (PubMed)
- Liver Protection: It helps protect the liver from alcohol-induced damage by reducing blood alcohol levels and metabolic byproducts. (PubMed)