About Us
Meet Our Medical Cannabis Consultant & Wellness Nurse Practitioner:
Melinda Toussaint
MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC
Mrs. Melinda Toussaint, FNP-BC is a board-certified family nurse practitioner, born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Mrs. Toussaint graduated top of her class obtaining a Masters of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Bowie State University. She is a cum laude graduate at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. She also served in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Trauma Nurse, in which time she achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. She also received training as a Holistic Health Practitioner and Master Herbalist.
Mrs. Toussaint is affiliated with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Nurses Association (ANA). She was a member of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, International, and Golden Keys Honor Society. Melinda conducted research at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and published articles in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) journal and for the AdCouncil.
Mrs. Toussaint worked as a registered nurse in several specialties such as in the Emergency Room, pre- and post-operation, medical-surgical, home health, wound care, travel nurse, and as a nurse practitioner in pain management, military veteran disability exams, and home health, to name a few. Melinda Toussaint along with sister, co-owner, and fellow Nurse Practitioner, Vernicia Edmond, alongside college best friend, Kiara Walters, established MariCare Wellness in Fall 2017.
MariCare Wellness is a holistic wellness practice, specializing in physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellness, which provides medical cannabis recommendations to those who qualify. The medical providers at MariCare Wellness serve the pediatric to the elderly population for the residents living in the D.C., Maryland, Virginia area.
In addition to Melinda’s work in the health and wellness field, she is a devoted wife and mother and enjoys serving her community, is an active member of her local church, and loves outdoor activities. She has a passion as a cannabis educator and advocate and alternative medicine.
Meet Our Certified Holistic Health Nurse Practitioner:
Vernicia Edmond
MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC
Since the age of 9, Vernicia Edmond had always possessed the passion to be in healthcare. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, NC. She then went on to complete her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner degree at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. She is also a Certified Natural Holistic Practitioner graduate from Trinity Natural School of Health in Warsaw, Indiana. She is a nationally board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she had served 10 years as a registered nurse in both pediatrics and adults as an acute, urgent, intensive care, and a federal occupational health nurse. Collectively, she has served over 15 years in the Air National Guard and the United States Air Force reserves as an Aerospace Medical Service specialist and a Flight Nurse. She now serves as a Nurse Practitioner in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. As a civilian Nurse Practitioner, she has been working in pain management in assisting patients to find natural alternatives, in addition to conventional methods to manage and cope with their pain. She also owns a wellness practice with her sister, Melinda Toussaint, called MariCare Wellness in Bowie, MD.
Mrs. Edmond is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, American Nurses Association, and the Nurse Practitioner Association of the District of Columbia.
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Mrs. Edmond is a champion of incorporating a multifaceted, comprehensive, and integrative approach to the management of pain and chronic conditions. She intertwines evidenced-based research to provide authentic and personalized treatment plans. Mrs. Edmond believes compassion and effective communication are vital in inpatient care. Further, she has a special interest in empowering her patients through education, encouraging active engagement, and providing each patient with the tools to cope with their physical, psychological, and psychosocial barriers to achieve optimal pain management and wellness.
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She resides in the Washington, DC area with her family. In her spare time, she finds pleasure in spending time with her family and loved ones, reading, traveling, baking and being active within her community through volunteerism.