Our Mission
Empowering Your Health
At Valley Roots Health, we believe in a personalized approach to health management, empowering individuals to participate actively in their unique health journey. We are committed to providing care that is tailored to your needs, not dictated by rigid, predetermined plans. We will partner with you on your health goals, getting to the root of your ailments, and ensuring that your healthcare experience is as unique as you are.
Owner
Ryan Shelton
MHSPAS, PA-C
California State University 2011
A.T. Still 2018
Driven by a passion for holistic healthcare and a commitment to serving underserved communities, Ryan Shelton is on a mission to redefine wellness through Valley Roots Health.
Born and raised in the picturesque Central Valley of California, Ryan Shelton’s journey began in Porterville, where he was nurtured by two dedicated registered nurses, Thomas and Patricia Shelton. Their unwavering emphasis on honesty, integrity, and the pursuit of doing what is right laid the foundation for Ryan’s future endeavors.
In 2006, immediately after graduating from Monache High School, Ryan headed to Fresno to pursue a dream of becoming a Physical Therapist. However, after years of rigorous coursework, externships at an athletic training facility, and hands-on experience as a Physical Therapy Aide, Ryan discovered that the path to physical therapy wasn’t his true calling. He graduated from California State University, Fresno in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science.
Ryan’s career took an intriguing turn as he began working in the Clinical Informatics department at Saint Agnes Medical Center, where he diligently honed his skills over three years. In 2016, life took another transformative step for Ryan and Elizabeth when they married and moved to Gilbert, Arizona, for Ryan to pursue advanced education in Physician Assistant Studies.
After graduating in 2018, Ryan returned to Fresno, and shortly after he joined Community Regional Medical Center’s trauma and acute care surgery services. Here, Ryan faced a steep learning curve, treating the Valley’s most critically ill patients alongside some of the finest medical professionals in the San Joaquin Valley. The long hours were challenging, but they also solidified his deep commitment to quality patient care.
As he navigated unusually long shifts, the onset of COVID-19 unveiled a different type of challenge—burnout. Taking time off to reconnect with his family, Ryan soon transitioned to working at the Fresno County Jail to pursue work-life balance, where he has since spent the past three years (and continues part-time). After several years of working with the incarcerated population, Ryan found himself in an environment that highlighted and compounded the stark realities of a healthcare system that has lost its way.
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During his time at the jail, Ryan learned invaluable lessons about the critical need for primary and preventative care while caring for thousands of underserved patients. He quickly recognized that traditional medical practices often fell short; despite being armed with medications, many of these individuals struggled against the detrimental effects of processed food, limited physical activity, and insufficient self-care. In Ryan’s mind, this perfectly illustrated the pillars of health. This experience reignited Ryan’s passion for holistic approaches to health—an epiphany that underscored the urgent need for accessible solutions in Fresno.
It was in this landscape of need that the concept of Valley Roots Health was born—a vision to provide affordable, holistic healthcare options that empower communities to take control of their well-being. Ryan Shelton is dedicated to transforming healthcare in California’s Central Valley, championing a model that prioritizes not just the treatment of illness, but the promotion of vibrant, healthy living.
Origin Story
Valley Roots Health
The inception of Valley Roots Health was born not just out of a vision, but from our collective frustrations with the current state of healthcare. Like so many, we found ourselves battling the all-too-common issues of “medical care” in the U.S.—where care feels impersonal, hurried, and disconnected. We’ve all experienced those moments in a doctor’s office when our concerns were brushed aside, and we left feeling unheard, trapped in a system that seemed more focused on efficiency than on individual needs. The wait times for appointments stretched into days, leaving our health concerns lingering longer than necessary. The constant shuffle of providers made continuity feel like a distant dream. Sound familiar?
limited time offer
Grand Opening Membership Special
We’re celebrating our first 100 members by offering a special
20% discount on your membership rate for the first year!