November 9, 2023 By Marisa Olsen
Wellness on the South Shore just got a bit of a boost, thanks to Hingham resident Denise Merrigan and her health concierge service, ThrIVe Hydration and Aesthetics. Alongside business partners Brianne Murphy, and Tucker and Pete Merrigan, ThrIVe specializes in group concierge IV therapy, bringing rejuvenative care to clients in the comfort and convenience of their home, business, or at a special event. With careers in nursing, most recently at Boston Children’s Hospital, Denise and Brianne have years of medical experience. Customers can enjoy IV hydration shots, Botox, and other wellness injections on comfortable Zero Gravity chairs, at their convenience, thanks to ThrIVe.
Read on to learn more about ThrIVe, and our first mobile concierge experience with Denise–plus the benefits of these wellness injectables.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m originally from Mt. Airy, Maryland, but I lived in Boston for many years before relocating to Hingham in 2014. I met my husband in college in Virginia, and his law career brought us to Boston. My career journey led me to Boston Children's Hospital, where I served as an RN on a cardiac medical/surgical intermediate care unit. In the years following the pandemic, I made the pivotal decision to shift gears and take my expertise and launch ThrIVe Hydration and Aesthetics.
My business partner Brianne is also a nurse. In 2006 Brianne Murphy embarked on her nursing career in pediatric emergency medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. Her commitment to training and onboarding new nurses eventually led to her current role as a Clinical Educator. During this journey, she discovered a deep interest in medical aesthetics. Over the past four-plus years, she dedicated herself to specializing in medical-grade skincare, neurotoxin injectables, and vitamin IV therapy.
How did you start the ThrIVe?
After working for about 16 years at Children's Hospital, I decided to start ThrIVe. It began with conversations among friends and evolved as I learned about the real demand. People these days are constantly juggling their work and family responsibilities, leaving very little time for themselves. ThrIVe was born to give people a moment to relax and recharge, providing them with a much-needed break from their busy lives. It's a way for individuals to take a step back, catch their breath, and hit the reset button for their well-being.
What is ThrIVe?
ThrIVe offers concierge IV hydration, intramuscular injections and neurotoxin services (think Botox and Dysport injections). We provide IV hydration with a dose of essential vitamins, antioxidants, and electrolytes.
ThrIVe tailors to group events (bachelor/bachelorette parties, golf events, holidays parties, etc.), but also regularly provides services for small groups and individuals.
To give readers more perspective, it takes approximately 25-30 minutes for 500ml (½ L of IV fluid and 30-60 minutes for 1000ml (1L IV fluid). Effects can approximately be felt in 1-3 hours after an infusion. The costs are 1L of IV fluid with two ingredients is $170, and 1L with three ingredients is $190. Additional IV boosts range from $25-$35. Intramuscular injections range from $25-$35. Dysport and Botox injections are $12/unit. There are no additional costs for travel.
Denise and Brianne work with a medical director who oversees their work and manages the medical supplies.
Injections can be customizable and most are available via IV. Additional services also include injections of:
- Glutathione: a major antioxidant that may help with liver detoxification, anti-aging, and immune support.
- B12: essential for production of red blood cells and can help combat fatigue, increase energy, mood, and improve mental clarity.
- Zofran: antiemetic medication highly effective in managing nausea.
- Toradol: a potent anti-inflammatory medication that helps with body aches, headaches, and pain.
Other nutrients or vitamins are also available via the website, such as vitamin D (only IM), magnesium (IV only), and biotin.
Who would best benefit from the services?
ThrIVe's services are beneficial for virtually anyone in today's fast-paced world. Unlike traditional oral supplements that offer only 20% nutrient absorption after passing through the digestive system, our IV therapy provides 100% cell bioavailability directly through IV infusion, bypassing the digestive system. This approach is advantageous for busy professionals, athletes, individuals with specific nutritional needs, and anyone seeking improved well-being. By ensuring efficient nutrient absorption, ThrIVe helps everyone enhance their vitality and wellness. We recommend injections once to twice a month as many injections will last up to two weeks.
Can you tell us what you love about Hingham?
My husband, Pete–who is also a business partner– and I live in the Liberty Pole neighborhood with our three children, ages 11, 8, and 6, and our English Golden Retriever puppy, Cooper. My favorite thing about living in Hingham is my neighborhood, which instills a unique, old school community and feel. We love how our children are always running out to play, families gather for block parties, and everyone looks out for each other.
Personal Experience
Eager to try the service, Denise and I had a consultation and scheduled a date for her to come to my home and experience an IV injection for my husband Will and me. I requested an appointment via the website and it was easy to select a service and appointment time. Then I activated my patient portal account and filled out a detailed medical history form and signed a consent form.
On the day of our appointment, Denise arrived with Zero Gravity chairs (although we opted for our own chairs), pillows, and blankets to provide us with the utmost comfort. She also came with IV medical poles, a rolling tray, medical bag, and extra gloves.
After discussing my medical history and taking our blood pressure, Denise had me settle into my chair for the hour-long experience. Denise put on gloves, placed a tourniquet on my arm, cleaned my vein, injected the needle, and started to add the drip of saline. Once the drip was set up, Denise could add the vitamins and nutrients. We chose B12 and B complex, vitamin C, and biotin. Denise explained that we may actually taste the B complex because of the blood vessel underneath our tongues, and it did taste like a Flintstone vitamin. Otherwise, I didn’t experience any other side effects minus getting a bit chilly during the session, which Denise outlined, so the cozy blankets definitely came in handy.
During the experience, I immediately felt a bit zingy and more energetic. And the benefits increased throughout the day. I felt quite hydrated, thanks to my body having an equivalent of an additional two gallons of hydration. The following day, I woke up feeling even more hydrated, energized, and my skin was glowing. My husband also felt equally good. He had a burst of energy Monday morning, despite daylight savings time, and he continued to feel hydrated and focused throughout his day.
Will and I loved our experience. Denise was so kind and knowledgeable and made the experience easy and pleasant. Our curious kids would come and ask questions, and Denise was excellent at explaining and providing information for our whole family.
We would definitely think about using ThrIVe again. The service is a great idea after a long flight or following an illness, when you’re looking to restore any sort of depletion in your body. With the busy holiday season coming up, ThrIVe could be beneficial for an energy boost after the holiday party circuit. The service also caters to corporate gatherings, out-of-town guests, or other special events with friends, such as a ladies weekend or parties.
Before Denise left my home, she shared that many individuals hesitate to explore wellness for themselves, particularly in our busy local community where childcare and work commitments take precedence. Even when we manage to spare some time, the uncertainty of where to begin and how to proceed can be daunting. ThrIVe offers a local solution, backed by a strong medical foundation, to provide valuable direction and support.
If interested in making an appointment, visit ThrIVe Hydration and Aesthetics for information and booking. The service is currently servicing Hingham, Cohasset, most areas in the South Shore, parts of Boston, and the Cape and islands.