Our Team
Laura Cunningham, PA-C, MPAS
Laura graduated from Des Moines University's Physician Assistant program and has worked as a Physician Assistant since 2015. She has diverse healthcare experience both in primary care and in mental health. With over eight years of experience diagnosing and treating a variety of mental health conditions, she has continued to help others focus on their health and wellbeing. She continues to provide care to her patients in a variety of capacities, including educating and guiding the development of future medical providers.
Laura established Focused Life Clinic in 2021 as a sole provider. Her desire to make the patient the center focus of the healthcare experience has continued to resonate with other patient centered providers, enabling Focused Life Clinic to grow and help meet the needs of those throughout the state of Iowa. Laura is actively accepting new patients.
Caitlin Studley, PA-C, MPAS
Caitlin graduated from Des Moines University in 2017 with her Master of Science degree from the Physician Assistant program. She worked in acute care for five years, focusing on both the mental and physical health of her patients. She enjoys being at Focused Life Clinic where she can take more time to get to know her patients, their goals for treatment, and help develop a care plan that works. Caitlin is actively taking new patients.
Jayson Gesulga, PA-C, MMS, CAQ-Psychiatry
Jayson brings eight years of psychiatry experience as a Physician Assistant to Focused Life Clinic. He has been practicing outpatient psychiatry in the central Des Moines area for the last seven years. He also has experience meeting the psychiatric needs of individuals in rural and underserved areas including Newton, Ames, Adel, Knoxville, Eldora, and Marshalltown. He trained at Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley, CA and is a graduate of Moreno Valley College’s Physician Assistant program, Saint Francis University (Master of Medical Science), and University of California, Riverside (Baccalaureate of Science, Biochemistry). Jayson has a true passion for bettering the lives of his patients through his commitment to patient education and by partnering with his patients to develop individual treatment plans tailored to the needs and goals of each patient. Jayson is actively taking new patients.
Nicholas Vellema, PA-C, MPAS
Nick has worked as a physician assistant since graduating in 2015 from Des Moines University’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. He has experience in family medicine and orthopedics and is excited to bring a passion for mental health to Focused Life Clinic. Nick understands that our body’s physical health has a strong effect on our mental health. He hopes to educate and empower patients with tools to help themselves to greater physical and emotional wellness. Strategies including mindfulness, self-awareness and healthy habits along with appropriate medications when indicated are cornerstones of his patient-centered approach. Nick is a retired 20-year veteran of the Iowa Army National Guard and is honored to address issues common to fellow service members, including depression, suicide and post-traumatic stress. Nick is energized by the opportunity to help Focused Life Clinic grow and to bring improved mental health to central Iowa. Nick is actively accepting new patients.