Empowering Local Women in Business: A Spotlight on Christina Gamez, Founder of Health and Healing with Christina

Christina Gamez, founder of Health and Healing with Christina, has spent more than two decades caring for others—and reimagining what true healing can look like. A nurse since 2003, Christina’s career has been shaped by service, leadership, and a deep commitment to whole-person care. Following 9/11, she joined the U.S. Navy Reserve, where she served for 15 years while also working in civilian healthcare. This unique combination allowed her to gain a wide range of experience and mentorship, while also mentoring other nurses along the way. “I feel like I’ve lived a very full career, having the Navy and the civilian world at the same time.”

Throughout her years in healthcare, Christina became especially passionate about supporting fellow care providers. She saw firsthand how burnout, stress, and emotional exhaustion were becoming increasingly common, particularly among nurses. Many healthcare professionals, she observed, feel deeply tied to their profession as their identity, which can make it difficult to imagine a different path when fulfillment begins to fade. “Taking care of the care provider is really a true passion of mine.”

A Turning Point During COVID

In 2023, Christina experienced an unexpected turning point after contracting COVID. With five days of downtime and quiet reflection, an idea that had been forming beneath the surface finally came into focus. At the same time, she had been closely observing the emotional toll COVID was taking on society, including rising rates of anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.“I had five days alone to myself thinking, and my mind just started going—that’s where the idea came up.”

Her concern for mental and emotional well-being led her to research alternative and complementary healing approaches, during which she discovered Healing Touch.

Discovering Healing Touch and Whole-Person Care

Healing Touch is an energy-based therapy that helps the body enter a state of deep relaxation, allowing it to support its own natural healing processes. With over 20 years of nursing experience, Christina was drawn to the program’s nurse-centered approach and its emphasis on compassion, presence, and self-care. “When our bodies are stressed or emotionally taxed, we go into fight-or-flight, and there are so many side effects of being chronically stressed.”

Through Healing Touch, Christina saw how calming the nervous system could support immune function, hormonal balance, and overall wellness. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, the approach considers the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. “It really considers the whole person, not just a diagnosis or a symptom.”

Stepping Outside Traditional Healthcare

As Christina began exploring holistic tools outside of traditional hospital settings, she felt increasingly aligned with her values. Creating her own schedule and lifestyle allowed her to protect her health while rediscovering purpose in her work. She noticed that many healthcare providers feel stuck, unsure of how to move beyond the traditional path they were trained for. “A lot of people feel stuck in healthcare—it becomes their identity.”

As she stepped away from conventional nursing roles, Christina began to feel better both physically and emotionally. Others noticed the change and started asking how she made the transition. Her journey soon inspired fellow healthcare providers to explore more integrative and creative approaches to care.

Reimagining a Broken System

Christina speaks candidly about the challenges facing today’s medical system. While she values Western medicine for its life-saving capabilities, she believes chronic conditions often require a more thoughtful and holistic approach. “We’re in such a crisis with our medical system. People are frustrated and looking for quick fixes.”

By drawing on centuries-old healing traditions and encouraging collaboration across disciplines, Christina envisions a future of healthcare that is more compassionate, creative, and effective.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For women and anyone considering starting a business, Christina emphasizes the importance of connection and collaboration. She encourages people to reach out, ask for help, and surround themselves with supportive communities. “There are so many people willing and able to support you—you just have to put yourself out there.”

In 2025, Christina became a nurse coach, an experience that brought new perspectives and clarity to her vision. Seeking support for areas like marketing and strategy was a big step, but one that has already proven invaluable. “People on the outside can see things you can’t see from the inside.”

A Mission Rooted in Healing

At its core, Health and Healing with Christina is about empowering individuals and providers to care for themselves first—so they can better care for others. Christina believes that when people are healthy in mind, body, and spirit, that energy spreads outward. “When we shine brighter—when we’re healthy—it’s contagious.”

Through her work, Christina is helping reimagine what healthcare can look like, reminding us that healing begins within and that caring for ourselves is the foundation for caring for the world around us.

Thank you for learning more about Christina Gamez’s inspiring path with us. Stay tuned for more stories highlighting exceptional individuals in our community!