From Patient to Practitioner: How Cheryl Cuozzo Is Transforming Wellness in Connecticut and Beyond with Help from CEDF
In 2014, Cheryl Cuozzo, a dedicated nurse practitioner, found herself on the other side of the stethoscope. After falling mysteriously ill and spending a week at Yale-New Haven Hospital without a diagnosis, she was left searching for answers. Eventually, she discovered she had Lyme disease. Her recovery journey didn’t come through traditional medicine, but rather through natural remedies and holistic care. That turning point changed her life and set the foundation for her future as an integrative wellness leader.
Today, Cheryl is the founder of Cuozzo Health, a Connecticut-based integrative medicine practice, and Intentional Wellness, a virtual health consulting business for clients from all over. Both are dedicated to guiding individuals, particularly those with Lyme disease and co-infections, back to vibrant, healthy lives. Her approach blends conventional medicine with evidence-based natural healing methods, supported by her unique Five Healing Foundations methodology, which includes nutrition, movement, sleep, stress & mindset, and clean living. “I had been practicing for years, but it became difficult to continue in the traditional model,” Cheryl explains. “I wanted to offer the kind of care I wished I had when I was sick—something that truly addressed the root causes and helped people heal completely.” In 2021, Cheryl became the first and only nurse practitioner in Connecticut to become a Fellow of the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine.
In February 2024, Cheryl officially opened Cuozzo Health, and with it came the real-world challenges of launching a small business. “I didn’t know how to run a business. I didn’t know what I didn’t know,” she recalls. While her clinical expertise was strong, navigating finances, marketing, and operations was a new and daunting task.
When traditional banks weren’t able to support her with a startup loan, Bank of America referred her to the Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF). That introduction proved transformational. “CEDF not only provided funding—it lifted a huge burden off my shoulders,” Cheryl says. “But what I didn’t realize at first was just how much support they’d offer beyond the loan. I was matched with a business advisor who has been absolutely essential. She helped me with everything from bookkeeping to marketing strategies to confidence-building.” With CEDF’s support, Cheryl was able to outsource administrative tasks like bookkeeping and social media, freeing up valuable time to focus on what matters most: her patients. The assistance also helped her launch her virtual program, Intentional Wellness, expanding her reach to clients outside of Connecticut.
“Working with CEDF helped me realize I could do more than I imagined,” she shares. “I was licensed only in Connecticut, but I knew I could support people virtually in other ways. My business advisor encouraged me to move forward with a 12-month online business mentorship program. Now, I’ve launched an online platform for clients all over, with self-guided courses coming soon, that people can take from anywhere.”
One of Cheryl’s most meaningful success stories involves a client who had struggled with Lyme disease for over a decade. After countless doctors and failed treatments, Cheryl developed a personalized plan using herbal remedies. Within two months, the client was hiking again and managing her own business. “It’s moments like that that remind me why I do this,” Cheryl says.
For Cheryl, the journey hasn’t just been about personal growth—it’s about giving back. “I want my work to ripple through the community, not just help individuals,” she says. “Wellness is contagious. When people feel better, they show up differently for their families, their work, and their communities.” To other aspiring entrepreneurs, Cheryl offers this advice: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Take messy action. CEDF is more than a lender, they’re a partner in your growth. The investment you make in your business becomes so much more than financial.”
Looking ahead, Cheryl dreams of expanding her online offerings, hiring a health coach to better support her clients, and continuing to build meaningful partnerships with organizations like CEDF. “I’m incredibly grateful,” she says. “Without CEDF, I wouldn’t be where I am. They didn’t just help me start a business, they helped me step into my purpose.”