It was Maureen Soltwedel's passion for healthcare that led her to open MD Hyperbaric, a hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic, in Wauwatosa this past January.
After spending 25 years working on the corporate side of healthcare, Soltwedel was looking for a change. "I loved healthcare, but the corporate side of healthcare is not the same thing," she says.
After deciding to take a step back from that field, Soltwedel found her path kept leading her back to fitness, wellness, and nutrition. She became a certified health coach before learning more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy and the MD Hyperbaric franchise. The opportunity aligned perfectly with her passion for helping people heal naturally.
"I've always been very entrepreneurial," she says. "I always wanted to run my own business and create my own culture."
Today, Soltwedel combines her healthcare experience with a wellness-focused approach through MD Hyperbaric.
The Science Behind Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) enhances the body's natural healing process by delivering 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The increased pressure allows the body to absorb significantly more oxygen, helping reduce inflammation, improve circulation, support the immune system, and accelerate tissue repair.
Unlike medical practices that offer HBOT alongside other services, MD Hyperbaric is dedicated exclusively to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and no physician referral is required.
"We have our own medical director who develops each patient's treatment protocol and oversees the medical clearance and intake process," she says. From patients recovering from injury or surgery to elite athletes and those pursuing overall wellness, MD Hyperbaric serves people with a variety of health goals.
Who Can Benefit?
The patients who walk through MD Hyperbaric's doors come from a range of backgrounds, but Soltwedel says they generally fall into four categories.
Many are recovering from surgery or injuries, including orthopedic procedures, sports injuries, concussions, and plastic surgery, where hyperbaric oxygen therapy may help reduce swelling and support healing. Others seek treatment for FDA-approved conditions, such as sudden hearing loss.
The clinic also serves people living with chronic pain, including arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as those interested in proactive wellness and healthy aging. "There are all sorts of reasons people come in,” Soltwedel says. “Every person's goals are a little different."
Recovery at the Highest Level
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can aid in the performance and recovery of all athletes–even at the very highest of levels.
At just 24 years old, Pewaukee native and Olympic bobsledder Jadin O'Brien knows that her recovery is just as important as training.
The former University of Notre Dame heptathlete accepted an invitation to try bobsled and secure a spot on Team USA after finishing her collegiate track and field career last August. Just two weeks later, she had learned the sport and made the team. A month later, she was on her way to Europe for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
While competing, O'Brien was involved in a bobsled crash in Switzerland that left her with lingering stiffness and pain. Already familiar with hyperbaric oxygen therapy from her time at Notre Dame, she connected with MD Hyperbaric to support her recovery.
"I just feel different when I get out," she says. "I have more energy, I don't feel as weighed down or beat up, and my muscle soreness is better."
O'Brien says consistency is key and plans to continue treatments whenever she's home between training and competitions.
This fall, O'Brien will return to Notre Dame to train for the 2028 Summer Olympics in the heptathlon while continuing her pursuit of success in bobsled—and her goal of competing in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
O’Brien says no one should be intimidated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. "The chambers are actually very spacious," she says. "I would encourage anyone who's skeptical to give it a try and be consistent with it."
What to Expect
During a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session, patients relax in a comfortable, pressurized chamber while breathing 100% pure oxygen through a mask. Sessions typically last 60 to 90 minutes. During the sessions, clients can sleep, meditate, read, or engage in other relaxing activities like coloring or puzzles. “It’s a great technology break,” Soltwedel says.
The number of sessions recommended depends on the condition being treated. "The way I like to look at it is if it's more of a short-term problem, it's a short-term protocol," Soltwedel says. “Chronic conditions will require longer treatment plans.”
Free Consultations
To help prospective patients feel comfortable exploring their options, MD Hyperbaric offers free consultations. Visitors are also welcome to tour the facility, ask questions, and step inside the chambers before deciding whether treatment is right for them.
This patient-first approach is central to everything Soltwedel hopes to accomplish through MD Hyperbaric. It isn’t about simply launching a business–it’s about bringing a therapy she believes in to the community.
"I really am so passionate about making sure people know that it's here,” she says. “It’s such a powerful tool for healing, longevity, and wellness."