About MedRenew
Dr. Jordan Vaughn, MedHelp’s owner is a pioneer in Long Covid assessment and treatment. Through experience treating over 2,500 patients, he began observing a strong overlay of Long Covid and Lyme disease. His interdisciplinary approach to patient care and treatment is constantly evolving through evidence-based research. Thus, the concept of MedRenew was born from a desire to provide more comprehensive treatment to address the overlay of post-infectious multisystem illnesses, like Lyme Borreliosis Complex (Lyme disease).
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Carrye Hodges, FNP-BC founder and lead provider at MedRenew will focus on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the multisystem infections, Lyme disease and associated tick-borne illnesses. She aims to actively listen to patients who may have historically been dismissed or misdiagnosed by the medical community. Through collaboration with multidisciplinary specialists in conjunction with cutting edge research, MedRenew will design innovative, customized treatment plans. Ultimately, the goal is to validate patients’ suffering, renew health, hope, and provide the best quality of care.
Provider
About Carrye Hodges, MSN, FNP-BC
Carrye Hodges, FNP-BC, founded MedRenew Clinic as a division of MedHelp Clinic in May 2024. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
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She has a background in trauma/emergency medicine as well as pediatric intensive care.
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Carrye relocated from Washington, DC, where her focus was treating Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses for nearly 5 years in a specialty clinic. She has served patients from all over the nation and around the world.
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She has been involved with Lyme activism for 15 years, with a focus in Alabama and the Southeast. She was heavily involved in the Alabama Lyme Disease Association and contributed to awareness campaigns, marketing, support events, political activism and media.
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Carrye is passionate about helping patients and families who have been afflicted with this devastating neurologic disease. She feels validating a patient, giving them hope, and providing them with answers and solutions never gets old.
About Lyme Disease
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Lyme disease is caused by a complex bacterium (Borrelia Burgdorferi) which resembles a corkscrew. This allows it to penetrate into any tissue in the body which can lead to multi-systemic symptoms.
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Lyme disease is most commonly transmitted by ticks and other vector-borne insects.
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As low as 27% of patients diagnosed with Lyme disease visualize a bullseye rash (Erythema Migrans).
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Some of the most common symptoms are fatigue, brain fog, memory impairment, headaches, Bell’s palsy, nerve pain, carditis, and migratory joint pain.
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Some counties in Alabama are endemic for Lyme disease and is prevalent in the Southeast.
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MedHelp's Long-COVID clinic has seen a sharp rise in CDC positive Lyme disease cases.
Treatment
Innovative, Customized Treatment Plans
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Borrelia (Lyme bacteria) is a brilliant and persistent pathogen using various defense mechanisms to cause destruction to the nervous system and weaken immune function. Therefore, treatment is strategic to address its persistence.
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Therapy combines pulsed antimicrobial agents in conjunction with biofilm degradation to lower infection load and support immune system. Pulsed dosing helps to minimize antibiotic resistance and the severity of Herxheimer reactions. Over time, infection load will reduce, and the immune system will recover leading to a remissive-like state.
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Borrelia often works in tandem with other pathogens or co-infections to weaken the immune system. Bartonella and Babesia are the most common stealth pathogens. To fully treat the Lyme complex, therapy must be comprehensive.
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Biofilm is a defense mechanism that helps bacteria evade detection from the immune system and antimicrobial agents. The presence of biofilm further complicates treatment.
MedRenew recognizes the necessity of degrading the biofilm for adequate penetration to reach the pathogens.