Dr. Kevin Conners:

Doctor of Chiropractic, Northwestern Health Sciences University; Fellowship in Health Research Outcomes, National Institutes of Health; currently studying for Diplomate Status in Neurology, Carrick Institute; American Medical Association Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine; Fellowship in Integrative Cancer Therapy; (both above Fellowships are through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine); over 100 hours postgraduate study in Autism Spectrum Disorders; practicing Applied Kinesiologist.

Dr. Kevin Conners graduated from Northwestern Chiropractic College in 1986 and immediately opened practice in Woodbury, Minnesota where he successfully ran a large practice. He sold his clinic in 1992 and moved his family (then four children) to Monterrey, Mexico to work as full-time missionaries. It was here they tended to the "poorest of the poor" in the shanty towns and taught at Berea Bible School and Orphanage. They then moved back across the border in Harlingen, Texas where they could obtain more supplies for the needy.

 In 1998, Dr Kevin, his wife Terri and their children moved back to his home town of Stillwater to begin a new life in chiropractic practice. They now have five children and remain active in the support for the people in Mexico . Each year they organize a Christmas toy drive (which goes on all year long) for the "children of the dump" in Matamoras , Mexico where they raise thousands of dollars and boxes and boxes of toys for families literally living in the smoldering dumps!  (see his daughters below)

They welcome any help you may desire to give. Contact Dr. Conners directly at 651-739-1248 and please join this web site for further info regarding their ongoing missionary trips. They would love to have you join them on their next adventure.

Currently, Dr. Conners’ passion is for his God, his beautiful wife and family, ministry, and the army of patients on the road to better health. “If you ask my wife, she’ll tell you that I’m addicted to helping people,” says Conners. “I see every patient as a gift from God that comes with a responsibility to figure out just exactly what needs to be done to get them better and keep them healthy. That’s why I believe in constant and never-ending improvement in technique, understanding of human physiology, and the art of application of such tools to meet every person’s needs. The more tools you have in your tool bag, the better chance you have in finishing the task.”

Maybe that’s why Dr. Conners is continually learning. From studying deeper methods of Chiropratic Neurology, Kinesiology, Homeopathy, Nutrition, and Physiology, his skills in the many chiropractic techniques he and his staff utilize are enhanced and appeal to a greater audience. “Passion” may be the best word to describe his practice; “Passion” from a staff dedicated to making you feel loved and special, and a part of a bigger idea. “Passion” from the finest selection of doctors who make you feel honored to be a member of their practice and who would truly do anything to get you better. “Passion” from a feeling of purpose, from the first time you enter the clinic that gives one hope in the midst of question, direction to the wandering heart, and focus on a positive outcome.

“For me,” says Conners, “this is a calling, not a job, not a profession.  Our job is to be vessels, clay pots, which can be filled with things from above to be a blessing to everyone that we meet. To the degree that we can empty ourselves and make room for love and acceptance, wisdom and patience, forgiveness and joy, is the degree we can be used in miraculous ways. And I, for one, am in the mood for a miracle!"

Toy Drive and Mexico Ministry

“Lord, just one question,” asked Conners as he contemplated the difficulty he, his wife Terri and four children would face as they prepared to move all they had to an orphanage and Bible School in Monterrey , Mexico to serve as missionaries, “why?” “You know it’s God,” says Conners, “when your questions are answered distinctly, exactly, and without hesitation, following His character in scripture and without guilt or shame even when it’s not the answer you want to hear.”

Conners asked his question regarding the felt calling on the hearts of him and his wife in 1996. They had four children ranging from 2-14 in age all with the same desire to serve people wherever God would lead. “We never wanted to go to Mexico ,” said Conners, “not even on vacation. So after making the decision to do missionary work, which is another ‘God-story’ in itself, Terri and I prayed about where to go. We considered Manila and knew of a ministry there needing help but after months of prayer and learned patience we knew that we were to go to Mexico . I could tell you dozens of stories that surrounded that decision that still ‘blow my mind’ but that’s just how God works,” he continued.

They should have been perfectly happy living in their own personal piece of heaven in Wisconsin : 280 acres of solid woods where they cleared a three-quarter mile driveway and a home site on the edge of the little river that flowed along one side of the property. With just a chain saw, an axe and an antique ‘skinning blade’ they built a log barn and various out buildings. They raised most their own food, milked goats, plucked chickens, and shot deer but, “that’s not what life is all about,” adds Conners, “at least not for us. We knew we had a bigger calling. It wasn’t about the money when I had the big practice and it’s not about a personal paradise either.”

This is when they moved to Monterrey, where they tended for the "poorest of the poor" in the shanty towns and taught at Berea Bible School and Orphanage, preached at churches throughout the city and gradually learned the language. “We went to Mexico completely self supported, basically from the money from everything we sold. We figured we’d have enough for about three years but I guess we didn’t count on the poverty we’d see,” Conners stated. Where they worked, there was a lot of poverty. ‘It’s like putting drops in a bucket with no bottom’ Conners later wrote about their ministry to the poor in living in cardboard shanties.

They then moved back across the border in Harlingen , Texas where they could obtain more supplies for the needy and Conners could doctor people for money to continue their ministry. In 1998, Dr Kevin, his wife Terri and their children moved back to his home town of Stillwater to begin a new life in chiropractic practice. “We knew we were done (living in Mexico ) and it was as clear as day,” said Conners, “We knew we had accomplished exactly what God desired. What, exactly what He desired, we may never know in entirety, but He did answer my question, ‘why?’”

They now have five children, three married, one grandchild and another on the way. They take frequent short-term missionary trips bringing friends and patients on an “experience that may change your life”.

They welcome any help you may desire to give and promise that 100% of any financial contributions will go directly to feed or cloth the poor. Contact Dr. Conners directly with any of your needs at his Vadnais office at 651-739-1248 and ask about our  ongoing missionary trips. They would love to have you join them on their next adventure. Request a DVD presentation of their last missionary trip for $5.00.

“Why does God call people to do seemingly crazy things?” asks Conners, “well, that answer may be different for everyone but His answer to me was very clear: ‘For three reasons,’ He said, ‘first to change you and your family. I love you so much that I’m willing to send you through all sorts of trials and tribulations to mold you and shape you more towards the image of My Son. Second, for those you’ll leave behind, those who see what you do and are moved, those you’ll tell your story to, and those who cannot ‘go’. Thirdly I’m sending you for those you will affect in Mexico , the poor who no one else will help.’ That answer seemed good enough for me so I guess I’d do it all again if He asks.”

Dr. Mallory Ranem

Dr. Mallory Ranem joined the team at The Upper Room Wellness Center as a Doctor of Chiropractic in April of 2009. She worked at the clinic while attending Chiropractic College for two years prior to becoming a Chiropractor. She graduated from Northwestern Health and Sciences University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Biology along with her doctoral degree. Dr. Mallory has a passion for health care that stems back to her childhood, as she grew up in a wellness minded family. Her father, Dr. Conners, became a chiropractor when Dr. Mallory was just two years old.

Born in the Twin Cities, but growing up home schooled from a hobby farm in Wisconsin, to a Bible school in Monterrey Mexico, and then to Stillwater, Minnesota she has experiences that will stay with her for a lifetime and that have shaped her into who she is today.

Dr. Mallory has been married to her high school sweetheart since April 2008, and is excited to be expecting her second child in 2012. She currently lives in Saint Paul, MN and enjoys gardening in her small vegetable garden, jogging, painting, and reading. She and her husband are passionate about the Lord and currently attend Bethlehem Baptist church in downtown Minneapolis. Since family has always been an important part of her life, working at the Upper Room Wellness Center with her father has been an amazing opportunity and an experience that she thoroughly enjoys.

With an ever-growing interest in women’s health, chiropractic neurology, and nutrition she loves to care for the patients at The Upper Room Wellness Center and continually learn new and exciting things in these fields.

Dr. Tony Wangerin 

Dr. Tony Wangerin graduated from Northwestern Health Sciences University in April of 2006 with a Doctorate in Chiropractic and a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. As a student he was very active, chairing a committee in Student Senate. He also held local and national offices in Student American Chiropractic Association. In addition to these positions, he was an active member of many other committees and organizations. In 2005, he was voted Student Leader of the Year by his peers.

Dr. Wangerin stated practicing in June of 2006 as an independent contractor for a clinic in Eden Prairie that focused on musculoskeletal injuries, nutrition, and laboratory testing. He became part of the Upper Room Wellness Center in July of 2008. He stepped away from the clinic for a year and a half to spend more time at home with his children. Dr. Wangerin came back to the clinic in November of 2010, with a desire and a passion for helping patients. He has spent countless hours studying additional adjusting techniques, laboratory test interpretation, neurology, nutrition, and spinal corrections. He is constantly striving to learn more to be the best doctor for the patients he treats.

Dr. Wangerin grew up in Bloomington, MN and since then has always lived in the metro area. He enjoys spending time playing with his kids, reading, and working with his hands. He attends Atonement Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN where he has taught Sunday school to 2^nd through 4^th grade children.

Dr. Wangerin is happily married to his wife Tricia since July of 2005. He has two amazing children, a daughter, Lily, who was born in January of 2006, and his son, Jack, was born in September of 2008. He feels very blessed to have such a wonderful family that is loving and supportive. He enjoys spending as much time with them as he possibly can.ls are  committed to p

Dr. Kristin Klos-Maki, D.C.romoting the health and well being of his patients.

Dr. Kristen Klos-Maki is a graduate of Northwestern Health Sciences University and has

completed additional coursework in prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care. She enjoys educating her community about healthy lifestyles through seminars offered in the office. Dr. Klos-Maki believes a healthy community is a direct result of the health of the residents who live there.

Dr. Klos-Maki and her husband, Ryan, live in the Duluth/Superior area with their new daughter and beloved German Shorthair Pointer, Jax.

Dr. Klos-Maki also does a variety of community outreach presentations. She has spoken to numerous local organizations and businesses, as well as at community events including the following:

• American Lung Association

• Holistic Health Expo

• SOAR

• UWS- Winter Retreat for Resident Supervisors

 

• St. Ann's Residence

• Edgewood Vista

• Duluth Optimist Club

• Keystone Bluffs

• New Horizons Children's Center of Superior

• Northland's 10 Ton Challenge Wellness Day

• Aging Gracefully Expo

• St. Joseph's Catholic Church-Women's Group

Dr. Jocelyn Zentz, N.D.

Jocelyn Zentz N.D. graduated from John Bastyr University in 2005 with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. Following graduation she spent time practicing in the Seattle area, where she worked at Pharmaca - Integrative Pharmacy as a practitioner, as a primary care provider in her own practice, in a Gastrointestinal clinic, and alongside a Rheumatologist. She returned to Duluth to serve the needs of the local population in 2008, with the vision of increasing the availability, affordability, and awareness of Naturopathic Medicine.  Since opening her practice in Duluth, Jocelyn has worked with a Compounding Pharmacist, and has studied the use of bio-identical hormone replacement, as well as assisting many patients on their path to wellness.
Jocelyn is registered as a Primary Care Provider through the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
Jocelyn is originally from Minnesota, and was born in Bemidji. She spent many summer months of her life on the shores of Lake Superior. She was drawn back to the area by friends, family, the Lake, and a sense of need in the community for alternatives to conventional care. She lives in Duluth with her engaging and delightful son. 
Dr. Jocelyn practices in our Duluth location.