About Altasano
Elevating Health Differently
Altasano was founded in 2018 on the core belief that mental health and physical health are interconnected. Our founder, Deena Schwartz, is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) with over 25 years of direct patient care. Witnessing the increase in chronic illnesses and obesity along with addiction and depression/anxiety, across all age groups, while at the same time, learning to manage her own mind-body health, Deena affirmed her beliefs in the gut-brain connection and that difficult and complex mind-body health issues sometimes require non-conventional treatments. Ms. Schwartz is inspired to use her personal experience and professional knowledge to help others manage their chronic health issues by focusing on holistic mind-body health. She is striving to remove the stigma of mental health issues because she knows that the body suffers when needs of the mind are not met and vice versa.
When you feel good, living has a different meaning.
We, as humans, are just beginning to understanding the complex interconnection of the mind and body and learn how to optimize our health. Rooted in traditional medical paradigms, yet living with a health-conscious mind-set, we at Altasano believe that good physical and mental health can be optimized with enhanced nutrition, restorative sleep, consistent exercise and deep social and spiritual connection.
Deena Schwartz, CRNA, PMHNP-BC
Altasano Founder & Director
Ms. Schwartz was born in Ohio and raised in the suburbs of Chicago . She completed her undergraduate education at The University of Illinois at Chicago in 1993, earned a Masters degree in Science at DePaul University and completed graduate anesthesia training at Ravenswood Hospital Medical Center in 1999. For over the past 20 years, she has been providing office-based anesthesia in the Chicagoland area. In 2020, Ms. Schwartz completed post-master’s education and training as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at the University of Saint Francis. Ms. Schwartz is passionate about helping her patients live life well.
Outside of her professional career, Ms. Schwartz earned her private pilot certificate and is a member of the local EAA Chapter 932. She is an avid yogi and loves traveling and digging in her vegetable garden. She lives in McHenry, Illinois with her husband Jeff.
CONNECT