In the heart of Omaha, one woman is pioneering a fresh—and well-needed—approach to healthcare. Allison Beninato, founder of the Inspire Collaborative Health Association, is redefining how we access and experience care by blending the best of both worlds—conventional medicine and complementary practices.
Her mission is simple yet profound: give patients more options and greater control over their health journeys.
“People are tired of this one-size-fits-all model,” Allison explained during her recent interview on Spotlight Omaha. “They want individualized care. They want to figure out their own puzzle.”
From Personal Health Journey to Innovation
It was Allison’s own frustrating health experience that led her to this innovative approach. With over 24 years working in Western medicine—ranging from medical assisting to nuclear stress tests and billing management—she developed an insider’s view of the healthcare system’s strengths and limitations.
However, it wasn’t until facing her own unresolved health issues that she found herself turning to alternative options.
“I went to an herbalist with high skepticism and low expectations,” she shared candidly. “But over three years, he helped me resolve three major health issues where Western medicine had thrown up its hands.”
It was that transformative experience that ignited her curiosity. Determined to understand complementary medicine, she went back to school, earning credentials as a Certified Clinical Herbalist and a Board-Certified Naturopath. She’s now preparing to pursue a Ph.D. in Natural Health.
Becoming the Connector
As Allison’s network expanded, so did her realization of the disconnect between conventional providers and alternative practitioners.
“Doctors were asking me if I knew any trusted herbalists. Herbalists were asking if I knew open-minded doctors. Family and friends were constantly coming to me, trying to navigate both sides.”
It became clear very quickly that there was no formal infrastructure to bridge the two. So, what did Allison decide to do? Build it herself.
Inspired Collaborative Health: How It Works
Launched officially as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in January 2022, Inspire Collaborative Health Association has grown steadily. Today, it boasts:
- Nearly 40 providers.
- Over 16 professional designations (MDs, nutritionists, herbalists, naturopaths, etc.).
- More than 60 specialties represented.
At its core, the organization recruits and vets both conventional and complementary practitioners who share a willingness to collaborate. Providers receive 12 specific benefits—including placement in an exclusive, carefully vetted directory accessible to the public at no cost.
“We want to eliminate provider shopping. The average patient doesn’t know who to trust or where to start. We solve that by offering a single, vetted, balanced directory.”
In addition to the directory, the association also offers clinical liaison services to help patients navigate their options. Recently, they also introduced a grant program designed to cover non-insurance-covered healthcare expenses—a common barrier for many seeking complementary care.
Accessible and Sustainable
Accessibility is a key feature of the Inspire Collaborative Health model. There’s no charge to the community to access services. Instead, the nonprofit operates on five revenue streams:
- Small annual dues from medical providers.
- Dues from health-related businesses.
- Grants.
- Sponsorships.
- Optional donations.
“I was very intentional about making sure the financial burden didn’t fall on the patient,” Allison noted. “If you’re already paying out of pocket for a doctor or practitioner, why should you have to pay again to access help connecting the two?”
Going National
While Omaha is home base, Allison has bigger plans. Her vision is to scale the association nationally, especially given how telehealth has become mainstream.
“Telehealth changed everything. Now it’s not uncommon to live in Nebraska and have a provider in New York.”
Her ultimate goal? A nationwide network of vetted, collaborative providers available to patients regardless of geography.
Market Trends Support the Mission
The timing for this model couldn’t be better. According to market research, the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) market is currently valued at $120 billion and is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2033.
“This shift is happening whether people recognize it or not,” Allison emphasized. “This will be the new way of healthcare.”
Entrepreneur at Heart
Outside of healthcare, Allison’s drive extends to her personal life. Married with two daughters, she also runs two additional businesses, making her a self-described “serial entrepreneur.”
Though free time is scarce, she and her family are outdoors enthusiasts who enjoy yard projects and home improvement.
Asked how she manages to balance so much, she laughed, “People ask me what my hobby is—I don’t even know what that means anymore.”
The Call to Action
For those considering joining or supporting Inspire Collaborative Health, Allison’s message is clear:
“Join now. We’re up and running, and we’re here to help you get the care you need. This isn’t a passing trend. This is where healthcare is going.”
Her parting words about blending the two health worlds resonate:
“I tell people I’m not team one or the other. I really believe they both have their strengths and their weaknesses, their pros and their cons. They both have a place and I think they really do work very beautifully together.”
Thanks to Allison and her mission, working collaboratively with both worlds has become much easier.
Interested in learning more or finding a vetted practitioner?
Visit: InspireHealthAssociation.com
