Dr. Ella M. McElwee, founder and director of Health By Choice Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who for her long-standing leadership in the field of natural health and wellness. Dr. McElwee earned the Athena National Leadership Award, received recognition as Woman of the Year from the Business and Professional Women of Pennsylvania, and secured a place in Marquis Who’s Who for her achievements and contributions to holistic care.
As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, editors select individuals profiled based on current reference value. The selection committee considers factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field during the selection process.
Dr. McElwee founded Health By Choice Inc. to offer individuals access to a full-service health care center that emphasizes wellness over disease. The practice provides nutritional counseling, naturopathic therapies and noninvasive diagnostic tools including iridology, sclerology and urine analysis.
Through this integrative technique, Dr. McElwee encourages clients to take an active role in their well-being by identifying imbalances early and applying lifestyle-based solutions. “We’re not in the business of diagnosing,” Dr. McElwee said. “Our focus is to measure wellness and teach people how to help themselves. That’s how lasting change begins.”
Advancing Research And Holistic Education Nationwide
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. McElwee established Health By Choice Education and Research Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides education, resources and research in the field of holistic health. She aims to expand public understanding of natural therapies and build professional development pathways for future practitioners.
Dr. McElwee plans to launch an East Coast research satellite to support scientific validation of holistic methodologies and foster collaboration across multiple disciplines.
“Our society is beginning to recognize that healing isn’t just physical,”Dr. McElwee said. “The mind, the spirit, the food we eat and the thoughts we think all play critical roles. It’s about treating the whole person, not a set of symptoms.”
A Career Shaped By Personal Adversity And Professional Integrity
Dr. McElwee began her career as a registered nurse in the 1960s, drawing inspiration from her family’s advocacy for natural foods. After experiencing personal health challenges, including multiple miscarriages, she turned to holistic nutrition and later gave birth to three children. This experience sparked her lifelong commitment to natural medicine. Dr. McElwee earned a nursing degree from St. Joseph’s Hospital, a Doctor of Philosophy in natural sciences and certifications in naturopathy and homeopathy from international institutions.
The Wall Street Journal and Millennium Magazine have featured Dr. McElwee, who continues to serve as district director for Business and Professional Women District 5. She is active in the Weston A. Price Foundation and the National Center for Homeopathy. Her leadership and service have made her a respected voice in the evolving conversation about integrative health.
“The real reward is seeing someone come in overwhelmed and leave empowered,”Dr. McElwee said.“We’re not just offering treatments—we’re offering tools for life.”
About Marquis Who’s Who®
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
