Mercie Health || Psychiatric Mental Health & Medical Services
Dr. Sylvia Udokoro Nwakanma, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
UMASS-G
General Medicine/Psychiatric Mental Health & Wellness Services
WELCOME
Welcome, and thank you for choosing this practice.
This is a self-pay virtual service for non-urgent medical care and selected psychiatric care. I make every effort to respond as promptly as possible, but please allow up to 72 hours for message responses and up to 24 hours for prescription request review and approval.
Virtual Hours:
Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM CST
Please expect additional delays for messages sent outside of these hours.
For urgent or emergency concerns, this platform is not appropriate. Please call 911, go to the nearest ER or Urgent Care, or call 988 for mental health crisis support.
If my status shows “UNAVAILABLE,” this means I am temporarily away and unable to respond promptly.
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PRONUNCIATION
Udokoro: ooh-Doe-Koh-Row
Nwakanma: WAKAMA
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REGISTRATION INFORMATION
When registering on Push Health, please enter code:
SYLVIAPUSH
Direct link:
https://www.pushhealth.com/practices/16701/new-patients/sylviapush
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STATES CURRENTLY SERVED
I am currently licensed to provide services in the following states:
AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, LA, MA, MI, MT, NM, NY, OK, OR, TX, UT, WA
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IMPORTANT PLATFORM POLICIES
• This platform is not set up for urgent requests
• This portal is self-pay only
• This portal does not accept insurance
• I am out of network, including with Medicaid and Kaiser
• All prescription requests must be submitted through your dashboard
• Do not send portal messages requesting prescriptions
• Prescription approval is based on clinical judgment
• Once a prescription has been sent, that encounter is considered complete
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WHAT TO EXPECT
Prescription Requests
Please send all prescription requests through your dashboard. Include the medication name, dose, quantity, and any relevant symptoms, updates, or refill information.
Your dashboard request serves as the consultation. If clarification is needed, I will message you. Otherwise, prescriptions may be approved based on my clinical judgment without further questions.
If you have more than one request, please submit separate dashboard requests.
Message Responses
Please allow up to 72 hours for message responses. Messages sent Friday through Sunday may take longer.
Phone or Video Consultations
Phone and video consultations may require additional fees. Depending on the request, insurance-based or self-pay care may also be available through Mercie Health.
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PHARMACY AND REFILL POLICY
Before requesting a refill, please check with your pharmacy to confirm that your medication and dose are in stock.
Once a prescription has been sent:
• it cannot be changed without a new request
• a new fee may apply
• the previous encounter is considered complete
A prescription is not considered “lost” if the pharmacy is out of stock. Many pharmacies can keep it on hold until it becomes available. Please ask your pharmacy about its hold policy.
Please clearly state:
• the medication requested
• the dose requested
• how many days you want approved
Requests for more than 90 days may be approved only with an additional invoice and cannot be credited or exchanged later in the event of low or no stock. Please be certain before submitting that request.
Please do not request refunds after a prescription has been reviewed and sent, as time has already been spent evaluating and processing your request.
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PRIOR AUTHORIZATION POLICY
Prior authorizations are not included in the prescription request fee.
Requests for prior authorizations require an additional fee through a separate invoice.
Typical turnaround time is 5-7 business days, but actual approval time depends on your insurance company and may be shorter or much longer.
For GLP/GIP medications prescribed for diabetes, I do not complete prior authorizations unless you provide supporting medical records confirming the diagnosis or follow up with your PCP. Insurance companies often require documentation to support the diagnosis being submitted.
Verbal and paper prior authorization forms may be accepted.
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GLP/GIP MEDICATION UPDATES
Foundayo
Now available as a once-daily oral GLP-1 option.
Zepbound
Zepbound is available through LillyDirect in KwikPen format in addition to vials. If you prefer the KwikPen, please clearly indicate this when submitting your request so the correct prescription can be sent.
Wegovy Tablets
Now prescribing Wegovy tablets. Available tablet strengths include 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg. Pricing is generally similar to injectable options.
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IMPORTANT GLP/GIP SAFETY NOTICE
If you are taking a GLP/GIP medication such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, Saxenda, Rybelsus, or Victoza and develop:
• worsening anxiety
• depression
• suicidal thoughts
please seek immediate help by calling 911, 988, or contacting your mental health provider.
Your mental health matters too.
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COMPOUNDED MEDICATION REQUESTS
Compounded medication requests may require a different process, additional review, and additional fees. Please follow the specific compounded medication request workflow when applicable.
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CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POLICY
This platform does not allow prescribing of controlled substances, including but not limited to:
• stimulants such as Adderall, Focalin, Vyvanse, Ritalin, Modafinil, or phentermine
• benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, lorazepam, or Restoril
• opioid pain medications
• Ambien
• testosterone
• HCG products
• codeine-containing cough syrups
Depending on your state, stimulant treatment may require direct consultation through Mercie Health. Prior ADHD documentation may be required for continuation of treatment. If records are not available, further evaluation or testing may be needed.
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SERVICES OFFERED
This is a virtual service for non-emergency medical and selected psychiatric care, including but not limited to:
• prescription refills
• weight-loss treatment using non-controlled options
• depression
• insomnia using non-controlled treatment
• GERD
• IBS
• migraines and minor headaches
• motion sickness
• acne
• sinus infections
• asthma
• COPD
• hypertension
• cholesterol
• diabetes
• thyroid concerns
• constipation or diarrhea
• nausea and vomiting
• pink eye
• allergies
• UTI treatment
• yeast infection
• STI care
• BPH
• erectile dysfunction
• PrEP
• transgender care
• smoking cessation
• lab testing
• travel health and prophylaxis
• compounded medications
• and more
If you are unsure whether your concern can be treated here, feel free to ask.
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ABOUT ME
Dr. Sylvia Udokoro Nwakanma is a dual board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in family medicine and mental health.
She began her healthcare career more than 12 years ago as a registered nurse and has worked in diverse settings including ICU, telemetry, med-surg, renal, and hospice care. As a nurse practitioner, she has experience in family medicine, psychiatric mental health, addiction medicine, and men’s health.
She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from UMASS Global in Irvine, California, and continues to expand her expertise in both family and psychiatric mental health.
Her philosophy is simple:
Ensuring good health, for goodness’ sake.
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FINAL NOTE
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and trust.
Let’s get you well.
If you had a positive experience, please consider rating us 5/5 stars.
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