Our Team

  • Jessica Cook, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

    Clinical Director | Co-Founder
    Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner – Family & Women's Health

    Jessica Cook is a nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in both primary care and women's health. She serves as the Clinical Director of Ascend Wellness and oversees all patient care operations related to hormone optimization, weight loss, wellness medicine, and women’s health.

    Education: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Family Nurse Practitioner

    Clinical Focus: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), medical weight loss, birth control counseling, and wellness screenings

    Experience: Over a decade in high-volume clinical settings, with a focus on functional medicine integration

    Philosophy: “My goal is to meet patients where they are and elevate their health through evidence-based, individualized care.”

  • Anthony Paul Basel, DO

    Medical Director
    Board-Certified Physician | Health System Leadership

    Dr. Anthony Basel provides medical oversight for all Ascend Wellness operations. With a broad background in family medicine and preventive care, Dr. Basel ensures our protocols are medically sound, up to date, and compliant with regulatory standards. He also serves on the board of Christus Santa Rosa Health System in San Antonio, TX.

    Credentials: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), licensed and board-certified

    Leadership: Oversight of care quality, clinical compliance, and provider credentialing

    Special Interests: Preventive medicine, patient education, integrated wellness

    Medical Philosophy: “Wellness is not the absence of illness—it’s the presence of intentional, proactive care.”

  • Matthew Lueders, PA-C

    Physician Associate | U.S. Army (Ret.) CPT
    Lead Examiner – VA Disability Services | Wellness & Hormone Therapy

    Matthew is a retired U.S. Army Captain and Physician Associate with 20 years of military and clinical service. His role at Ascend Wellness includes leading our Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability exam services and contributing to patient care in hormone therapy, peptide protocols, and wellness optimization.

    Background: 20-year U.S. Army veteran; leadership roles in combat medicine and operational healthcare

    Clinical Areas: VA DBQ/MO exams, men’s hormone health, peptide therapy, general wellness

    Distinctions: Known for his precision, discipline, and patient-first mindset

    Credentialing: Maintains full compliance with VA, state, and federal standards; carries independent