MEET OUR PROVIDERS
Our providers excel in personalized care, with specialization in family medicine and internal medicine.
The doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and staff at Primary Care Plus value quality of care over quantity of care and are focused on working better, not just on working faster. They value personal relationships as much as positive treatment outcomes.
Primary Care Plus providers and staff are experienced, knowledgeable and 100% dedicated to caring for you. Our process of working with patients is to value quality over quantity…to take our time with patients, and to manage their care from start to finish.
Patrick Buchta, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine – Metairie Clinic
Patrick Buchta is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. He holds a master’s degree in nursing from The University of Alabama at Birmingham and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Louisiana State University. Patrick has more than 10 years of health care experience, including in hospital and medical center environments.
Megan F. Butler, M.D.
Family Medicine – Algiers Clinic
Dr. Megan Butler is a board-certified physician and holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She completed the East Jefferson General Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program and the LSU Rural Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Butler specializes in managing common chronic medical conditions.
Lacee Cavalier, FNP
Family Medicine – Houma Clinic
Lacee Cavalier is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with more than 15 years of health care experience. She holds a master’s degree in nursing from Nicholls State University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Louisiana College.
Dr. Kiran Chava
Internal Medicine – Westwego Clinic
Dr. Kiran Chava is board certified in internal medicine and has more than 20 years of health care experience. He holds a Doctor of Medicine from St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed an internal medicine residency at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey.
MIGUEL A. CULASSO, M.D.
Family Medicine – Slidell Clinic
Dr. Miguel Culasso is board certified in emergency medicine and has practiced in the St. Tammany Parish area for more than 40 years. He holds a Doctor of Medicine from the National University of Córdoba in Córdoba, Argentina. Dr. Culasso completed an internship at the United States Public Health Service Hospital in New Orleans and a residency in internal medicine at the Hospital Iturraspe in Santa Fe, Argentina.
SUSAN DEMESIA, DNP
Family Medicine
Susan Demesia is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She holds a doctorate in nursing practice and a master’s degree in nursing, both from Loyola University New Orleans. Susan has more than 30 years of health care experience, including in family medicine, intensive care and mental health care settings.
Yvette Deslatte, M.D.
Family Medicine - Houma Clinic
Dr. Yvette Deslatte is board certified in family medicine and holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. She completed a residency in family medicine at the Earl K. Long Medical Center in Baton Rouge. Dr. Deslatte has more than 20 years of health care experience.
DAPHNE J. DUREAU, FNP-BC
Family Medicine – Slidell Clinic
Daphne Dureau is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She holds a master’s degree in nursing from Loyola University New Orleans and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Dallas Baptist University. Daphne has experience with family medicine, urgent care management and clinical research.
PHILLIP H. EHLERS, M.D.
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge - O’Neal Clinic
Dr. Phillip Ehlers holds a Doctor of Medicine from St. George’s University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in family medicine at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Lake Charles. Dr. Ehlers has experience in family medicine, emergency medicine, urgent care and hospice care. He is an associate medical director for Primary Care Plus.
CHERYL FITCH, FNP
Family Medicine – Houma Clinic
Cheryl Fitch is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with more than 20 years of health care experience. She holds a master’s degree in nursing from Nicholls State University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from William Carey University. Cheryl is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
JENNIFER HEBERT, M.D.
Internal Medicine – Slidell Clinic
Dr. Jennifer Hebert is board certified in internal medicine and holds a Doctor of Medicine from Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Mexico. Dr. Hebert completed residency training through the Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center—University Medical Center in Lafayette, as well as an infectious diseases fellowship at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.
Tammy Hebert-Briley, FNP-BC
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge – Lafayette Clinic
Tammy Hebert-Briley holds a master’s degree in nursing from the University of South Alabama and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has experience with adult and pediatric care in both family clinic and medical center environments. Tammy is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
SAMAN JAYASINGHE, M.D.
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge – O’Neal Clinic
Dr. Saman Jayasinghe is board certified in public health and general preventive medicine. He holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and completed a residency at the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Dr. Jayasinghe also has a Master of Public Health in health policy and management from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.
Stephanie Johnson, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine – Algiers Clinic
Stephanie Johnson holds a master’s degree in nursing with a specialization in family health nursing from Southern University and A&M College. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Our Lady of the Lake College and an associate degree in nursing from McNeese State University.
RENE a. LOUAPRE iii, m.d.
Internal Medicine – New Orleans - Napoleon Clinic
Dr. Rene Louapre is board-certified in internal medicine and has been practicing in the New Orleans area for more than 40 years. He holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Dr. Louapre completed a residency in internal medicine at Charity Hospital.
Brittany Loupe, DNP
Family Medicine – Slidell Clinic
Brittany Loupe is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She holds a doctorate in nursing practice and a bachelor’s degree in nursing, both from the Louisiana State University School of Nursing in New Orleans. Brittany has experience in family medicine and post-operative surgical services.
JAIME MACALUSO, FNP-C
Family Medicine – Metairie Clinic
Jaime Macaluso holds both a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She has experience in primary care and urgent care settings, as well as medical-surgical units. Jaime is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
VAUGHN R. MEINERS, JR., M.D.
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge - Perkins Clinic
Dr. Vaughn Meiners is board certified in family medicine and holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. He completed the St. Vincent’s Family Medicine Residency Program in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Meiners has a special interest in men’s health, diabetes management and cardiovascular risk management.
Ruby Sheree Miller, DNP
Family Medicine – Hammond Clinic
Ruby “Sheree” Miller is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and has worked in clinical settings since 2005. She holds a master’s degree in nursing and a doctorate in nursing practice from Loyola University New Orleans. Sheree has experience with family medicine, behavioral health, addiction recovery and infectious disease treatment.
Hector Montalvo, M.D.
Internal Medicine – Metairie Clinic
Dr. Hector Montalvo holds a Doctor of Medicine from San Carlos University School of Medicine in Guatemala. He participated in several clinical research projects at the Tulane School of Medicine before completing post-graduate training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Montalvo has more than 35 years of health care experience.
Andrew Morris, M.D.
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge - Perkins Clinic
Dr. Andrew Morris is board certified in family medicine. He holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Dr. Morris completed a residency program in family medicine and has experience with geriatric medicine, too.
Mary Palmer
Cardiovascular Sonography – Metairie Clinic and Slidell Clinic
Mary Palmer holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Louisiana State University and a bachelor’s degree in cardiopulmonary science from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Mary is certified in adult echocardiography, vascular technology, and sonography principles and instrumentation by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Vern Palmisano, M.D.
Family Medicine – Slidell Clinic
Dr. Vern Palmisano is board certified in family medicine and specializes in treatment for vertigo and dizziness. He holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he also completed a family medicine residency. Dr. Palmisano has practiced medicine for more than 30 years.
HANNAH PHAM, DNP
Family Medicine – New Orleans - Napoleon Clinic
Hannah Pham is board certified and holds a doctor degree as a family nurse practitioner. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Hannah has experience in ambulatory and transplant care, primary care, and integrative medicine.
DEANNA QUINN-STEVENSON, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine – New Orleans - Napoleon Clinic
Deanna Quinn-Stevenson has worked as a board-certified family nurse practitioner in the Greater New Orleans Area since 2005. She holds a master’s degree in nursing from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Deanna has experience with a range of primary care services, including patient screenings, preventive health plans and treatment for chronic illnesses.
Felicia Robertson, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine – New Orleans - Napoleon Clinic
Felicia Robertson holds a master’s degree in nursing from Southeastern Louisiana University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from The University of Southern Mississippi. She has been practicing as a registered nurse in the New Orleans area for more than 10 years and as a family nurse practitioner for several years. Felicia has worked in many care fields, including urology, physical medicine and geriatric care.
Dr. Joseph Romito, M.D.
Family Medicine – Metairie Clinic
Dr. Joseph Romito is board certified in family medicine and holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Dr. Romito completed the university’s Family Medicine Residency Program in Kenner. He is interested in nutrition and improving and preserving musculoskeletal function.
Joe Rooks Jr., ANP-C
Adult Medicine – Westwego Clinic
Joe Rooks is a board-certified nurse practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience in geriatric health care. He holds a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Central Arkansas and master’s degree in health care systems management from Loyola University New Orleans.
STEPHANIE L. SARRAT, M.D.
Internal Medicine – New Orleans - Napoleon Clinic
Dr. Stephanie Sarrat is board certified in internal medicine and has been practicing in the New Orleans area for more than 20 years. She holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. She completed an internship and residency in internal medicine in 2000. Dr. Sarrat is an associate medical director for Primary Care Plus.
Mark Sayes, M.D.
Family Medicine – Gonzales Clinic
Dr. Mark Sayes earned his medical degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed a family medicine residency program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Sayes is board certified in family medicine and has more than 30 years of health care experience.
SARAH SCHWERTNER, M.D.
Family Medicine – Metairie Clinic
Dr. Sarah Schwertner holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine. She completed a family medicine residency at East Jefferson General Hospital. Dr. Schwertner serves in the National Guard as part of the U.S. Army Medical Command.
Ben Stanly, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge - Perkins Clinic
Benjamin Stanly is board certified and holds a master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in family nursing practice from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Benjamin has experience in critical care, progressive care and urgent care settings.
ANDREA L. STIRGUS, D.O.
Family Medicine and Geriatric Medicine – Westwego Clinic
Dr. Andrea Stirgus is board-certified in family and geriatric medicine. She holds a doctorate in osteopathic medicine from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Stirgus completed the Summa Health Family Medicine Residency Program in Akron, Ohio. She has experience in a variety of health care roles, including treating patients in underserved urban populations.
Thaddeus Temple, M.D.
Internal Medicine – New Orleans - North Broad Clinic
Dr. Thaddeus Temple has practiced internal medicine in the Gentilly area for more than 30 years. He holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Dr. Temple completed a residency in internal medicine at Charity Hospital and Veterans Affairs Hospital.
M. GEORGE THOMAS, M.D.
Cardiology – Slidell Clinic
Dr. George Thomas is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine-Bachelor of Surgery degree from St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore, India. Dr. Thomas completed residencies in India and at the New Rochelle Department of Medicine in New York, as well as a cardiology fellowship at Tulane University School of Medicine. He has more than 40 years of health care experience.
Candita Thompson, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine – New Orleans - North Broad Clinic
Candita Thompson is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and has practiced medicine for more than 25 years. She holds a master’s degree from Southern University and A&M College and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Grambling State University. Candita has experience with many care fields, including pediatrics, community health, nephrology and geriatrics.
Cynthia Tillman, FNP-C
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge - O'Neal Clinic
Cynthia Tillman has been a board-certified family nurse practitioner since 2011. She holds a master’s degree in nursing in family practice from Loyola University New Orleans, as well as a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Cynthia has experience in several care fields, including geriatric care, primary care and emergency room trauma nursing.
Trakissia Tolbert, FNP
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge - O'Neal Clinic
Trakissia Tolbert is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She holds a master’s degree in nursing from Southern University and A&M College, as well as a family nurse practitioner post-graduate certificate from the University of South Alabama. Trakissia is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
JOHN H. VOCKROTH III, M.D.
Internal Medicine – Algiers Clinic
Dr. John Vockroth is board certified in internal medicine and has practiced in the New Orleans area for more than 15 years. He holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and completed a residency in internal medicine at Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Washington.
Homer H. Williams, M.D.
Family Medicine – New Orleans - Napoleon Clinic
Dr. Homer Williams holds a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He completed a residency in family medicine at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Dr. Williams has more than 30 years of health care experience, including in primary care and emergency medicine settings.
