Mickey Kellogg – Medical Assistant
Mickey – is a very familiar face to all who come to The Downing Clinic. She assists Dr. Kovalcik with patient care by taking vitals and checking patients in and out of the clinic; calling in prescriptions and following up on lab work. Mickey has been with The Downing Clinic since 1996. Prior to working here, she worked in the UP as a registered nurse.
Ann Heusted - RN
Ann – joined our staff in 2005. She has worked with hospice; is an ordained minister; has had advanced training in Bach Flower Remedies, homeopathy, nutrition, and is a parish nurse. She is a vocalist, and lectures on public health issues. Her wonderful background and positive attitude are valued by our patients. Ann is our FirstLine Therapy Program Coordinator, TLS Support Group and, Electrodermal System (EDS).
Dr. Gigi B. Cristache, Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine. National Board-Certified by NACCOM. Registered in Michigan
Dr. Cristache – specializes in 5 Element Acupuncture which associates characteristics from each of the five natural elements of wood, water, fire, air and earth with a season, weather, color, personality and body type, and symptoms/disease state. This analysis is then used to identify physiology and pathology within the body and identify areas for treatment.
Dr. Cristache treats patients with a more holistic approach, including initial consultation and assessment, leading to the design of an individualized and integral plan to address not only the body, but the mind and spirit as well.
Areas of expertise include pain management, emotional issues (anxiety, depression, etc.), headaches, smoking cessation, addiction issues, reproduction and fertility issues (for both men and women), digestive issues (GERD, GI issues, etc.), and lung issues (asthma and allergies, etc.).
Kris Mackson, Board Certified Holistic Nurse
Kris – joined our practice in 2024 with over 30 years of experience in nursing and holistic health. After 24 years in labor and delivery, she shifted her focus to integrative care and health coaching, inspired by her own journey with autoimmune disease. Kris serves on the board of the Michigan Lupus Foundation. She is also a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association.
Martha Radelet, BSN, RN.
Martha – I am a registered nurse with 28 years of experience in the healthcare field. Throughout my career, I have worked across multiple specialties, including oncology, intensive care (ICU), and emergency medicine. The majority of my time has been dedicated to the fast-paced environment of the Emergency Room, where I’ve developed a strong foundation in critical care, rapid assessment, and patient advocacy. My diverse background allows me to provide compassionate, efficient, and skilled care in high-pressure situations.
Office Manager - Carlene
Carlene – Since joining the Downing Clinic in 2021, Carlene has been a dedicated and highly effective Clinic Manager. She brought with her a strong background in bookkeeping, accounting, and computer systems, along with deep expertise in QuickBooks. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and organizational skills have made a significant impact on the day-to-day operations of the clinic. Carlene’s knowledge and commitment have contributed greatly to the smooth and efficient functioning of our practice, and she continues to be a valued member of our team.
Purchasing Donna
Donna – is purchasing manager with a wide variety of skills managing all nutritional products, supplements, homeopathic remedies, natural skin care products, books, and other items that Dr. Kovalcik has researched and believes are the best on the market. She is an important member of The Downing Clinic. She also prepares product information on these products for patients and manages shipping and receiving.
Customer Office Assistances
When you call The Downing Clinic, our reception staff will answer your questions and provide guidance on the type of appointment you will need. We have several services available in addition to our physician, Dr. Kovalcik, and this team of experienced staff can identify the various services and their benefits for you along with what new patients will need when meeting with the doctor. They look forward to talking to you by phone and meeting you in person when you visit us. Please don’t hesitate to call with any questions.