It’s time to feel better and get the care you deserve.
When they say, “your labs are normal.”
Isn’t it rage-inducing to hear that unhelpful phrase? That’s because life during perimenopause and menopause is hard enough. Add on mood changes, stubborn weight gain, sleep disturbances, brain fog, joint pain, hot flashes, or simply not feeling like yourself, and you’ve probably got a lot of questions and concerns. Your concerns are legitimate, they are worth talking about, and there are solutions to help you feel better. At Kultivate Women’s Health, we believe you deserve to be heard and treated with the most up-to-date interventions that can help you feel your best.
“I just don’t feel like myself.”
Many women come to us saying something feels off—even when they’ve been told their labs are “normal.”
At Kultivate Women’s Health, we understand that these symptoms are common during perimenopause and menopause—but they’re not something you have to ignore or simply push through. Hormone shifts, metabolic changes, weight gain, worsened sleep, and stress are deeply connected, and addressing only one piece often leaves women frustrated and unheard.
That’s why we take a comprehensive, personalized approach to women’s health in midlife. We look at the bigger picture — hormones, metabolism, weight, thyroid health, sexual health, cardiovascular risk, nutrition, and preventive care — and build an evidence-based plan around what you actually need.
This isn’t a rushed appointment or a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s thoughtful, expert care designed to help you feel like yourself again.
“He was practically rushing out the door.”
That’s why we set aside up to 55 minutes for your first visit — not because every appointment takes that long, but because we want time to listen, understand what’s going on, and make a thoughtful plan.
Your care is personalized to what you need, whether that involves hormone therapy, metabolic or weight support, thyroid care, sexual health, cardiovascular prevention, nutrition, or simply making sure the right screenings and next steps are in place.
In other words, this isn’t your typical visit to the GYN.
Meet the Kultivate Team
Our Clinical Team
Ann Konkoly NP
Holly DeWalt NP
Jean Marino NP
Shaylinn Romano NP
Renee Cooper RD
Our Support Team
Chidimma Aguowo-Okoye
Janne Banga
Emily Brindza RN
Renee Crown
“Jean Marino is THE hormone whisperer. Her expertise, kindness and humor make her a star clinician. I am so grateful for her!”
— Karen C.
Our Nurse Practitioners
Ann Konkoly, DNP, MBA, WHNP-BC, MSCP
Founder, Kultivate Women’s Health
Hi! I’m Ann, a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner with over 20 years of experience caring for women.
I started Kultivate because I was tired of seeing women dismissed, rushed, or told everything was “normal” when they clearly didn’t feel like themselves. Around here, we do things differently.
My clinical focus is comprehensive midlife women’s health — including perimenopause and menopause, hormone therapy, medical weight management, thyroid care, sexual health, and preventive care. I’m especially passionate about helping women understand how the pieces fit together as we age: our brains, breasts, bones, hearts, hormones, and metabolic health.
My goal is bigger than treating a symptom or getting a lab into the “normal” range. I want women to understand their health, know their options, and have a thoughtful plan for feeling great now while protecting their health for the years ahead.
Because your concerns are valid — and you deserve to feel incredible in perimenopause, menopause & beyond.
When I’m not seeing patients or dreaming up what’s next for Kultivate, I’m probably traveling with family and friends, watching a volleyball game, speaking somewhere across the country, planning a retreat, drinking a great glass of red wine, or snuggled up with Stella, my 30# Lagotto Romagnolo and constant shadow. Bonus points if any of the above happens in California.
Holly DeWalt, MSN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner, Kultivate Women’s Health
Holly DeWalt, MSN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner, Hormone & Metabolic Health
Hi! I’m Holly, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in medical weight management, GLP-1 therapy, and hormone replacement therapy for women and men.
My approach is practical, personalized, and focused on helping you feel better without judgment or one-size-fits-all plans. Whether we’re working on weight, metabolic health, hormones, or a combination of all three, I want you to understand your options and feel confident in the plan we build together.
I also provide select men’s health services, including hormone and metabolic care.
With a background in women’s health, plastic surgery, and aesthetics, I bring a whole-person perspective to helping patients feel strong, healthy, and comfortable in their bodies.
Jean Marino, MSN, WHNP-BC, MSCP
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Menopause, Sexual & Gynecologic Health Expert
Hi, I’m Jean Marino—a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with over 28 years of experience working with women, and over 11 years specializing in menopause, sexual health, and vulvar skin conditions.
I’m a certified menopause practitioner through The Menopause Society (MSCP), and I hold fellow designations in both women’s health and women’s sexual health—which just means I’ve done a lot of extra training because I believe every woman deserves expert care.
I care for women of all ages—from teens to those in their 90s+—addressing sexual health concerns like vulvar and vaginal pain, painful sex, low desire, orgasm difficulties, and vulvar skin conditions. I also support women through the full spectrum of perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms—beyond hot flashes—including mood swings, brain fog, joint pain, sleep issues, vaginal dryness, and bladder concerns. I offer both hormonal and non-hormonal treatment options, tailored to your needs and comfort level. I also provide gynecologic exams, IUD insertion and removal, and select in-office procedures, with nitrous oxide available when appropriate to make procedures more comfortable.
Outside of work, I love to read, work in my yard (when it’s not snowing), and go all-out for Halloween—despite being a total wimp about scary movies.
Jean is a published author and recognized expert in menopause and female sexual health. She authored Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health and co-authored Female Orgasmic Disorder: Current Understanding and Clinical Management in Obstetrics & Gynecology, helping advance education and clinical care in women's sexual health.
Shaylinn Romano, MSN, CNP
Nurse Practitioner, Preventive Cardiology
Hi, I’m Shay Romano, a Nurse Practitioner with more than 10 years of experience and a clinical background spanning cardiology, internal medicine, and primary care. Before becoming an NP, I spent five years as a cardiac ICU nurse.
I trained at Case Western Reserve University and completed an advanced clinical residency at the VA, where I developed a strong foundation in evidence-based cardiovascular prevention, primary care, and complex medical management.
I’m especially passionate about preventing cardiovascular disease before symptoms appear. My approach looks beyond a standard cholesterol panel to understand the bigger picture — blood pressure, ApoB, lipoprotein(a), metabolic health, family history, lifestyle, and other individual risk factors. When appropriate, I can order additional testing and prescribe medications to help reduce risk.
I also care for women with POTS and other cardiovascular concerns and provide broader internal medicine support as part of Kultivate’s comprehensive approach to midlife health.
My goal is to help women understand their health, know their risks, and take meaningful steps now to protect the decades ahead.
When I’m not working with patients, I’m at home with my husband and two daughters—usually at music or dance lessons, or at the barn (like mother, like daughters). We love spending time outdoors, whether on a family picnic, hiking, or traveling to new places. Personally, I enjoy yoga and horseback riding—anything that keeps me grounded, active, and connected to what matters most.
Our Support Team
Chidimma Aguowo-Okoye
Healthcare Assistant & Customer Support Specialist
Hi, I’m Chidimma! If you’re a Kultivate patient, there’s a very good chance we’ll get to know each other.
I help keep the behind-the-scenes details of your care running smoothly — from text message support and scheduling changes to invoices, superbills, refunds, and billing questions. If you’re not sure who to ask, I’m always happy to help get you to the right place.
I’m also the person keeping an eye on all the little details that make a big difference. My goal is to make sure questions get answered, follow-up happens, and nothing falls through the cracks.
I truly love supporting our patients and our clinical team. I want every person who comes to Kultivate to feel welcomed, cared for, and confident that there’s someone here paying attention.
Janne Banga
Registered Nurse & Care Coordination Specialist
Hi, I’m Janne! I’m a Registered Nurse and an extension of the clinical team at Kultivate, helping make sure your care keeps moving even after your appointment is over.
A big part of my role is helping patients access the medications their providers recommend. I manage our prior authorizations from start to finish, track their progress, and when insurance denies coverage, I help coordinate the next steps and appeals when appropriate. We know how frustrating this process can be, and I want our patients to know there is someone on the other side working on it.
I also help our providers prepare for visits, coordinate refills and clinical follow-up, and respond to patient portal messages when appropriate.
My goal is to make the clinical side of your experience feel seamless, responsive, and supported — and to make sure the details behind your care don’t get lost along the way.
Emily Brindza, RN
Registered Nurse
Hi, I’m Emily! I’m a Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience in women’s healthcare, and I provide clinical support to the Kultivate team, working especially closely with Jean and her patients.
With decades of experience in women’s health, I bring a deep understanding of the medications, treatments, and clinical protocols we use every day. I help our team stay current on evidence-based guidelines and support the many behind-the-scenes details that help keep patient care thorough and consistent.
You may hear from me as part of your care with Jean, or I may be working behind the scenes to support your clinical plan. Either way, my goal is to make sure our patients receive thoughtful, well-coordinated care.
Outside of work, I live with my husband, Tim. Our three kids are grown, but our two dogs, Willy and Cooper, still keep us plenty busy.
Renee Crown
Front Desk & Billing Support
Hi, I’m Renee! I’m one of the first faces you’ll see when you walk into Kultivate, and my goal is to make you feel welcome from the minute you arrive.
I split my time between Kultivate Women’s Health and Shaker Women’s Wellness, so some of our patients already know me from the other side of the office! I help with check-in and check-out, scheduling, billing questions, and all the little things that make your visit run smoothly.
Before joining Kultivate, I spent 16 years working with a local county Child Protection Agency, supporting children and families through some of their most vulnerable moments. I’m also a certified Group Fitness Instructor and have always had a passion for helping people feel stronger and healthier.
Outside of the office, I love traveling with my husband and taking advantage of sunny days with rides on our Harley.
Renee Cooper RD, LDN
Registered Dietician
Hi, I’m Renee, a Registered Dietitian at Kultivate Women’s Health. I work with women to make nutrition feel practical, sustainable, and a whole lot less complicated — especially during midlife, when hormones, metabolism, muscle, bone, and cardiovascular health are all changing.
I provide personalized nutrition support for perimenopause and menopause, weight management, metabolic health, and healthy aging. Rather than focusing on restrictive diets or perfection, I help you build realistic strategies that support your health and actually fit your life.
At Kultivate, nutrition is part of the bigger picture. I work alongside our clinical team so your nutrition plan can complement your medical care, health goals, and what matters most to you.
Better together.
Kultivate Women’s Health shares our Beachwood home with Shaker Women’s Wellness, the chiropractic practice of Angela Sedgwick, DC. While our practices are independent, we share space and select resources — a collaboration between two women-owned healthcare practices committed to providing exceptional care for women.
For our patients, it means a welcoming, connected women’s health community right here in one office.
“Ann and Holly have been absolutely amazing in helping me navigate my PCOS journey! It’s been a long 10 years and so many physicians that lead to nowhere but with Ann and Holly all of that changed. They are so attentive. They’re very upfront in giving you all of the treatment options and what they feel would be the most beneficial for you and guide you to make the best choices for you. They’re both so kind, understanding, and easy to talk to. So grateful for both of them and this wonderful practice they’ve built!”
— Elisse C.

