Business Details
41 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Expert Allergy & Asthma Treatment in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Allergy has been serving the community for over 40 years, specializing in personalized allergy and asthma care for patients of all ages. Our board-certified physicians and dedicated nursing staff focus on identifying root causes of allergies through comprehensive diagnostic testing and tailored treatment plans. We offer advanced therapies such as immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy, and medication management to reduce reliance on traditional allergy medications.Our team prioritizes patient education, including home environment improvements and medication guidance, while maintaining accessibility through same-day care and telemedicine visits. With a legacy of clinical expertise and community engagement, we address a wide range of allergic conditions, from seasonal allergies to complex food allergies and asthma.
Services
Allergy Testing
Immunotherapy
Asthma Management
Food Allergy Care
Telemedicine Visits
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of experience in allergy and asthma care.
- Our physicians are board-certified in adult and pediatric allergy treatment.
- We create personalized treatment plans using advanced diagnostic testing.
- We offer immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy options.
- Our team provides same-day care and telemedicine visits.
What people say
Personalized treatment plans
Effective allergy shots
Compassionate staff
Responsive after-hours care
Family-friendly approach
Services
Allergy Testing
Our comprehensive allergy testing identifies specific allergens triggering symptoms through skin prick tests, blood tests, and challenge tests. Results guide personalized treatment plans for conditions like seasonal allergies, food allergies, and asthma. Testing is conducted by board-certified specialists to ensure accuracy and safety.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy involves regular injections of allergen extracts to desensitize the immune system over 3-5 years. This treatment reduces symptoms and medication reliance for conditions like hay fever, asthma, and insect sting allergies. Customized dosing schedules are provided with on-site administration options.
Asthma Management
We develop individualized asthma action plans combining trigger avoidance, medication management, and pulmonary function testing. Our team educates patients on inhaler use, environmental controls, and emergency response protocols to improve quality of life and reduce exacerbations.
Food Allergy Care
Our specialists diagnose and manage food allergies through elimination diets, oral food challenges, and desensitization protocols. The GRA Food Allergy Center offers family education, emergency treatment plans, and guidance on navigating dietary restrictions for both children and adults.
Telemedicine Visits
Board-certified providers conduct virtual visits for established patients to discuss symptoms, adjust treatment plans, and provide medication refills. Available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, these appointments offer convenient access to allergy specialists without requiring in-office visits.
People
Karyn Gell, M.D.
Allergist
Dr. Gell has practiced at Grand Rapids Allergy since 1992, specializing in chronic allergic airway diseases. She is board-certified in adult and pediatric allergy and clinical immunology, with a focus on patient education and community outreach.
Christine Schafer, M.D.
Allergist
Dr. Schafer joined the practice in 2001 after serving in the U.S. Air Force. She is board-certified in allergy/immunology and pediatrics, with expertise in asthma screenings and community allergy education programs.
Sara J. Uekert, M.D.
Allergist
Dr. Uekert specializes in pediatric and adult asthma and food allergies. She established the GRA Food Allergy Center of Excellence and focuses on clinical research and medical education as a Michigan State University faculty member.
Renee Bell, C-N.P.
Nurse Practitioner
Certified nurse practitioner with allergy and asthma expertise, bringing emergency medicine experience to patient care. Focuses on family-centered treatment plans and patient education for chronic allergic conditions.
Mary Blauw, C-N.P.
Nurse Practitioner
Mary has 11+ years of allergy care experience, specializing in family-focused treatment for eczema, asthma, and food allergies. She integrates personal experience managing childhood allergies into individualized care plans.
Questions
What allergy testing methods do you use?
We use skin prick tests, blood tests, and oral food challenges to identify allergens. Testing is supervised by board-certified specialists for safety and accuracy.
Do you offer food allergy treatment for children?
Yes, our GRA Food Allergy Center specializes in pediatric food allergies, offering desensitization protocols, elimination diets, and family education programs.
Can I get allergy shots without a prior diagnosis?
Allergy shots require a confirmed diagnosis through our comprehensive testing process to ensure targeted, effective treatment.
Are telemedicine visits covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans cover virtual visits. Contact our billing department to verify your specific coverage for telemedicine consultations.
What asthma management tools do you provide?
We offer personalized asthma action plans, pulmonary function testing, inhaler technique training, and environmental control guidance for effective long-term management.
Do you treat rare allergy conditions like FPIES?
Yes, our specialists have experience diagnosing and managing rare conditions like FPIES, providing comprehensive care plans and family support resources.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Bonnie Guigar
Jan 19, 2022
Report
The staff is simply amazing! Very thorough throughout the entire process. Everyone took the time to explain any questions I had. even those I didn't have. I left feeling very confident about my next steps. Definitely recommend GRA! And, I didn't even mind going in after they got back from lunch. After all, it's not about them scheduling around me, it's about me scheduling around them and working with their hours!
John Scott
Oct 18, 2021
Report
Closing down for an hour at lunchtime is insane. Who's pay for the services again? I'm a nurse and none of us can ALL take a lunch at the same time. Really hard to get my shots in when I work Monday through Thursday 8-6:30. There are other allergy offices out there. Find one that doesn't let the entire staff go to lunch all at the same time. Ridiculous.
Karen Joseph
Oct 12, 2021
Report
I've been taking my sons here for many years and I just love this office. The physicians, the direct care staff and the office staff have all been excellent. They're attentive, caring, knowledgeable and professional. Just what you want when you're dealing with environmental allergies and food allergies! I highly recommend.
Kate Langmeyer
Jun 22, 2020
Report
Dr. Schafer took a significant amount of time to get to know me and what I felt was wrong. The nursing staff is very kind and gentle, and talked me through the whole process. I would highly recommend Grand Rapids Allergy to anyone with any concerns at all, as they explained every treatment option to me, including everything from avoidance to immunotherapy in order to make sure I had all of the information I needed to make an informed decision about my own treatment.
Erin Wine
Jun 15, 2020
Report
Every person that works there is the nicest person I've ever met. They are so patient and understanding. Taking a child that is a year and a half to a 3 hour food test is hard, but they make it so comfortable and relaxing. Props to our nurse Kristen for being so good with my son when he wanted nothing to do with the tests! And Sarah is always the sweetest as well :
Courtney Williams
Jan 02, 2020
Report
What a great practice! Thank you for taking such great care of your patients! You did amazing with my 4 year old who was less than eager to have allergy testing done! Went back this week with my 6 year old.continue to be amazed by this team! Dr Gell is one of the smartest physicians I've ever met. She gets it.a true scientist.treats every patient as an individual.takes a big picture approach.spends time talking to and answering questions with her patients.a wealth of knowledge and a gem for this community!
