Thriving Through Midlife: A Conversation with Dr. Abigail DeVries of Sabia Health
If you are a woman in your forties or fifties, you know that midlife brings new challenges and changes. Hormones shift, sleep patterns change, and sometimes you do not feel like yourself. Many women in Durham and across North Carolina are beginning to talk more openly about this stage of life, and that conversation now includes a new neighbor in our Bella Trio building, Dr. Abigail DeVries, founder of Sabia Health.
Sabia Health is a direct primary care practice that focuses on helping women in midlife feel strong, balanced, and understood. The word Sabia means wise in Spanish, and that spirit guides everything Dr. DeVries does. With more than twenty years in medicine and leadership, she opened her own practice to offer women a kind of care that feels personal, unrushed, and compassionate.
We sat down with Dr. DeVries to learn more about her inspiration, her mission, and her advice for women who want to feel their best through the midlife transition.
Q: What inspired you to open Sabia Health and focus on women in midlife?
Dr. DeVries: Sabia Health is designed for women like me. Many of us are busy with family and career and suddenly start noticing changes in our health. I wanted to create a space where women like me can get the care they need to thrive now and age strong.
Q: You have more than twenty years of experience in medicine. What made you decide it was time to start your own practice?
Dr. DeVries: In leadership roles, I saw how bureaucracy often prevented change. When I entered perimenopause myself, I realized how little access there was to meaningful care for women like me. I decided to build a practice that delivers care the way I want to receive it.
Q: The name Sabia means “wise.” Why did you choose that name?
Dr. DeVries: Women in midlife are often portrayed as tired or emotional, but we have earned wisdom through experience. Sabia celebrates that wisdom — the understanding we have of our bodies, our needs, and what we can let go of as we move forward.
Q: What do you wish more women knew about this stage of life?
Dr. DeVries: What you are feeling may be common, but it is not something you must accept. Hot flashes, brain fog, poor sleep, and weight gain can be treated safely and effectively. You deserve care that helps you feel your best.
Q: How does your approach differ from a traditional doctor’s visit?
Dr. DeVries: I do not bill through insurance. Instead, I offer a membership model that covers primary care and midlife health services for one monthly fee. This allows me to spend more time with patients, answer messages directly, and provide same day or next day appointments. Every interaction is with me, not with staff or assistants.
Q: What kind of care can members expect at Sabia Health?
Dr. DeVries: I manage common conditions like hypertension and diabetes, provide weight management and nutritional counseling, and offer hormone therapy for menopause. I also treat anxiety, depression, and help women find balance in their mental and physical health.
Q: What is your favorite part about working with women in midlife?
Dr. DeVries: I love sharing both medical knowledge and personal experience. Women in this stage are often at the peak of their careers and influence. My goal is to keep them healthy enough to continue doing the things they love and leading with confidence.
Q: What is one small change you recommend for women who want to feel more balanced right now?
Dr. DeVries: Lift heavy weights. It helps maintain bone strength, improves heart health, and supports metabolism. There is no better feeling than knowing you are getting stronger.
Q: What do you want women to remember about their health during midlife?
Dr. DeVries: You are wise. If your wisdom is not respected or nurtured by your current provider, it is time to find a new one. This is your time to thrive and age strong.
Q: How can women know if Sabia Health is right for them?
Dr. DeVries: If you are in your forties, fifties, or sixties and you have not found the answers you need from other providers, I may be a good fit. I make care simple for women who juggle career, family, and self-care. If you have a high deductible plan or a health savings account, you can even fund your membership through that account.
Closing Thoughts
Dr. Abigail DeVries is changing how women experience healthcare in midlife. Her message is simple: you deserve to feel strong, capable, and confident in your own body. We are proud to welcome Sabia Health to our Bella Trio community and to celebrate another local woman who helps others rise and shine through every season of life.