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 earned her medical degree from the Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center. She completed the East Jefferson General Hospital family medicine residency program and the LSU rural family medicine residency program.
Before joining Primary Care Plus, Dr. Butler was a staff physician at CareSouth Medical & Dental in Baton Rouge, Ochsner Health Center in Gretna, and LSU Health in Baton Rouge. She specializes in the management of common chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis and substance use disorder.
Lacee Cavalier, FNP
Family Medicine – Houma Clinic
Lacee Cavalier earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Louisiana College in 2008. In 2016, she earned a master’s degree in nursing from Nicholls State University.
Lacee is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with more than 15 years of experience in the medical field. Lacee previously worked for Preferred Health and Wellness, now Primary Care Plus – Houma.
MIGUEL A. CULASSO, M.D.
Internal Medicine – Slidell Clinic
Dr. Miguel Culasso earned a Doctor of Medicine in 1971 from the National University of Córdoba in Córdoba, Argentina. He completed an internship at the United States Public Health Service Hospital in New Orleans in 1974 and a residency in internal medicine at the Hospital Iturraspe in Santa Fe, Argentina in 1975.
Dr. Culasso served as an emergency room physician at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, where he completed a residency in emergency medicine in 1977. Following his residency, Dr. Culasso entered private practice.
Dr. Culasso is board certified in emergency medicine. He has been practicing internal medicine in the St. Tammany Parish area for more than 40 years.
Yvette Deslatte, M.D.
Family Medicine - Houma Clinic
Dr. Yvette Deslatte earned a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. She then completed a residency in family medicine at the Earl K. Long Medical Center in Baton Rouge.
Dr. Deslatte is board certified in family medicine and has more than 20 years of health care experience. Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, she served as the lead physician at JenCare Senior Medical Center in Metairie. She has also worked at the St. John VA Clinic and the Ochsner St. Anne Hospital.
DAPHNE J. DUREAU, FNP-BC
Family Medicine – Slidell Clinic
Daphne Dureau is a nurse practitioner who specializes in family medicine. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Dallas Baptist University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Loyola University New Orleans.
Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, Daphne served as a family nurse practitioner at Family Health Care and Wellness Center in Hammond. From 2016 through 2019, she held several roles at Benchmark Urgent & Family Care in Metairie, including research director and provider, manager of urgent care, assistant director of clinical trials, and quality control coordinator. Daphne also worked at Benchmark Research as the associate site director, nurse practitioner trial investigator and quality control coordinator.
Daphne is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She is a member of the Association of Clinic Research Professionals, as well as a former president and current board member of the Southeast Louisiana chapter.
PHILLIP H. EHLERS, M.D.
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge - O’Neal Clinic
Dr. Phillip Ehlers earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a Doctor of Medicine from St. George’s University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in family medicine through the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Lake Charles.
Dr. Ehlers is an associate medical director for Primary Care Plus and practices at the Baton Rouge – O’Neal and Hammond clinics. He also serves as the medical director for Gentiva Hospice, based in Prairieville. As a physician, Dr. Ehlers has experience with family medicine, emergency medicine, urgent care and hospice care.
Dr. Ehlers is certified in advanced cardiovascular life support and pediatric advanced life support. He is a member of the Royal College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians.
CHERYL FITCH, FNP
Family Medicine – Houma Clinic
Cheryl Fitch holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from William Carey University. In 2022, she earned a master’s degree in nursing from Nicholls State University.
Before joining Primary Care Plus, Cheryl served as a family nurse practitioner at the Cardiovascular Institute of the South. She previously served as a registered nurse in the Terrebonne General Health System for more than 20 years.
Cheryl is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She is a member of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
MICHAEL GUARISCO, M.D.
Internal Medicine – Baton Rouge – O’Neal Clinic
Dr. Michael Guarisco earned a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans. He then completed an internship and residency in internal medicine, as well as a fellowship in emergency medicine and internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Dr. Guarisco previously served as an internist, section head and chairman for the Ochsner Clinic Foundation’s Division of Primary Care in Baton Rouge. He has worked at Primary Care Plus as a practicing physician since 2004 and a medical director since 2006.
Dr. Guarisco is board certified in internal medicine and a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
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 earned a Doctor of Medicine from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, then 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 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, Dr. Jayasinghe served as a physician with AbsoluteCare, Southeast Community Health Systems and Ochsner Health. He is board certified in public health and general preventive medicine, and he is a member of the Louisiana State Medical Society, the American College of Preventive Medicine, and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Stephanie Johnson, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine – Algiers Clinic
Stephanie Johnson earned an associate degree in nursing from McNeese State University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Our Lady of the Lake College. She then completed a Master of Science in nursing with a specialization in family health nursing from Southern University and A&M College.
RENE a. LOUAPRE iii, m.d.
Internal Medicine – New Orleans - Napoleon Clinic
Dr. Rene Louapre earned a Doctor of Medicine in 1973 from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Charity Hospital in New Orleans in 1976.
Following completion of his residency, Dr. Louapre entered private practice. He has been practicing internal medicine in the New Orleans area for more than 40 years.
Dr. Louapre is board certified in internal medicine.
Brittany Loupe, DNP
Family Medicine – Slidell Clinic
Brittany Loupe earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a doctorate in nursing practice from the Louisiana State University School of Nursing in New Orleans.
Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, Brittany served as a family nurse practitioner with Gulfsouth Hospital Medicine in Covington. She previously worked as a registered nurse for Ochsner Health, where she specialized in post-operative surgical services.
Brittany is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners.
JAIME MACALUSO, FNP-C
Family Medicine – Metairie Clinic
Jaime Macaluso earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of New Orleans in 2008 and an associate degree in nursing from Delgado Charity School of Nursing in 2010. She continued her education at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2012 and a Master of Science in nursing in 2016.
Jaime began her career at East Jefferson General Hospital as a registered nurse in a medical-surgical unit. Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, she served as a family nurse practitioner in primary care and urgent care settings at East Jefferson General Hospital, JenCare Senior Medical Center and The Urgent Care.
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 completed a Doctor of Medicine at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. He then completed the St. Vincent’s family medicine residency program in Jacksonville, Florida. Before joining Primary Care Plus, Dr. Meiners spent eight years in private practice as co-owner of Fountain Family Medicine in Jacksonville.
Dr. Meiners is board certified in family medicine. He has a special interest in men’s health, diabetes management and cardiovascular risk management, including treatment of lipid disorders and hypertension.
Ruby Sheree Miller, DNP
Family Medicine – Hammond Clinic
Ruby “Sheree” Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Loyola University. She then earned a master’s degree in nursing and a doctorate in nursing practice, also from Loyola University.
Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, Sheree served as an assistant professor at the Southern University School of Nursing and a medical provider at Covington Behavioral Health. She has worked in clinical settings since 2005 and has experience with family medicine, behavioral health, addiction recovery and infectious disease treatment.
Sheree is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, Louisiana State Nurses Association and the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Hector Montalvo, M.D.
Internal Medicine – Metairie Clinic
Dr. Hector Montalvo earned a Doctor of Medicine from San Carlos University School of Medicine in Guatemala in 1986. He participated in several clinical research projects at Tulane University School of Medicine, before completing post-graduate training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, Dr. Montalvo served the Metairie community in private practice for 20 years.
Andrew Morris, M.D.
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge - Perkins Clinic
Dr. Andrew Morris earned a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He then completed a residency in family medicine.
Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, Dr. Morris served as a physician for JenCare Senior Medical Center. He worked as the lead physician, then as a medical director for the organization’s Mid-City location.
Dr. Morris is board certified in family medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians and American Medical Association.
Mary Palmer
Cardiovascular Sonography – Metairie Clinic and Slidell Clinic
Mary Palmer earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Louisiana State University in 2014. She then earned a bachelor’s degree in cardiopulmonary science from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.
Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, Mary served as a cardiovascular sonographer at the St. Thomas Heart and Vascular Center and the Cardiovascular Institute of the South. Most recently, she worked as a cardiac sonographer at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie.
Mary is certified in adult echocardiography, vascular technology, and sonography principles and instrumentation by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. She is also certified in basic life support by the American Red Cross.
Vern Palmisano, M.D.
Family Medicine – Slidell Clinic
Dr. Vern Palmisano earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. He then earned a Doctor of Medicine from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he also completed a residency in family medicine.
Dr. Palmisano served as a family medicine physician for Ochsner Health for 27 years. Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, he also worked as a primary care provider in the St. Tammany Healthy System and an assistant professor for the Louisiana State University rural family medicine residency program.
Dr. Palmisano is board certified in family medicine and specializes in treatment for vertigo and dizziness. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
HANNAH PHAM, DNP
Family Medicine – New Orleans - Napoleon Clinic
Hannah Pham earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2015 from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She then earned a doctoral degree as a family nurse practitioner.
Hannah began her career as a registered nurse and has experience in ambulatory and transplant care. Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, she served as a nurse practitioner in outpatient settings with a focus on primary care and integrative medicine.
Hannah is board certified through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
DEANNA QUINN-STEVENSON, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine – New Orleans - Napoleon Clinic
Deanna Quinn-Stevenson began her career as a registered nurse in 1995. She earned a Master of a Science in Nursing from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and has worked as a board-certified family nurse practitioner in the greater New Orleans area since 2005.
Before joining Primary Care Plus, Deanna worked at local facilities, including University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, CVS MinuteClinic and CorrectHealth. 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 earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2012 and a Master of Science in Nursing from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2017.
Felicia 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 Jr. earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas. He earned a master’s degree in health care systems management from Loyola University New Orleans in 2007, then a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Central Arkansas in 2012.
Rooks began his professional career as assistant director of nursing at Lambeth House and subsequently served as RN unit manager for Touro Infirmary’s Woldenberg Village. Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, he served as a nurse practitioner for Peoples Health.
Rooks is a board-certified nurse practitioner. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the geriatric health care field.
STEPHANIE L. SARRAT, M.D.
Internal Medicine – New Orleans - Napoleon Clinic
Dr. Stephanie Sarrat earned a Doctor of Medicine in 1997 from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. She completed an internship and residency in internal medicine in 2000, also at the university.
Following her residency, Dr. Sarrat entered private practice. She has been practicing internal medicine in the New Orleans area for more than 20 years.
Dr. Sarrat is board certified in internal medicine. She is an associate medicine 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 earned a Bachelor of Science in pre-med psychology and biological studies from the University of New Orleans. She started at the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 2008, then joined the Louisiana Army National Guard in 2010, where she performed health assessments for National Guard members. Dr. Schwertner completed her family medicine residency program at East Jefferson General Hospital in 2016.
Before joining Primary Care Plus, Dr. Schwertner provided urgent care, occupational medicine and family medicine in private practice across the New Orleans area. She previously held appointments at NOLA Doc, East Jefferson Family Practice and Pelican State Outpatient Center.
Major Schwertner continues to serve in the National Guard as part of the U.S. Army Medical Command. She is board certified and has been a member of the American Association of Family Physicians since 2013.
Ben Stanly, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge - Perkins Clinic
Benjamin Stanly earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He also holds a master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in family nursing practice from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Before joining Primary Care Plus, Benjamin worked as a registered nurse in critical care, progressive care and urgent care settings.
He later went on to complete his Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a concentration in Family Nursing Practice at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Benjamin is board certified and licensed in the state of Louisiana. He is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association and Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners.
ANDREA L. STIRGUS, D.O.
Family Medicine and Geriatric Medicine – Westwego Clinic
Dr. Andrea L. Stirgus earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2009 before attending a pre-health program at Southern Illinois University. She graduated with a doctorate in osteopathic medicine from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2017. After completing her residency at Summa Health Family Medicine Center in Akron, Ohio, she received specialized training in geriatric medicine during her fellowship.
Dr. Stirgus began working with seniors in 2009 as a certified nursing assistant and worked in health care roles as often as her studies allowed before her residency. Before joining Primary Care Plus, she treated acute and chronic patient conditions in an underserved, urban population with a focus on older patients at the Summa Health Family Medicine Center.
Dr. Stirgus is board-certified in family medicine and geriatric medicine. She has been a member of the American Osteopathic Association since 2013, American Geriatric Society since 2015, and the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine since 2020. During her time with Summa Health, she was awarded the Family Medicine Leadership Award and Geriatric Fellow of the Year award.
Thaddeus Temple, M.D.
Internal Medicine – New Orleans - North Broad Clinic
Dr. Thaddeus Temple earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1978 from Southern University at New Orleans. He earned a Doctor of Medicine in 1983 from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, then completed a residency in internal medicine at Charity Hospital and Veterans Affairs Hospital.
Before joining Primary Care Plus, Dr. Temple served in the National Health Service Corps for four years, worked at the City of New Orleans – Saint Bernard Health Clinic for 13 years and practiced internal medicine in the Gentilly area for more than 30 years.
M. GEORGE THOMAS, M.D.
Cardiology – Slidell Clinic
Dr. George Thomas earned his Bachelor of Medicine-Bachelor of Surgery degree from St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore, India. After graduation, he completed residencies both in India and at the New Rochelle Department of Medicine in New York.
Dr. Thomas completed a cardiology fellowship at Tulane University School of Medicine in 1983, then joined the staff at Tulane University Medical Center in 1984. During that time, he also worked at Veterans Administration Medical Center and Charity Hospital of New Orleans. In 1993, Dr. Thomas started Northlake Cardiology Associates in Slidell, where he spent nearly 28 years.
Dr. Thomas joined Primary Care Plus in 2021. He is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Thomas is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, a member of the Musser-Burch Society and a past president of the St. Tammany Parish Medical Society.
Candita Thompson, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine – New Orleans - North Broad Clinic
Candita Thompson earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Grambling State University and a Master of Science at Southern University and A&M College.
Candita is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with a background in pediatrics, community health, nephrology and geriatrics. She has practiced nursing for more than 25 years and has been employed with Primary Care Plus since December 2018.
Cynthia Tillman, FNP-C
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge - O'Neal Clinic
Cynthia Tillman earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans in 2001. In 2011, she earned a Master of Science in nursing in family practice from Loyola University New Orleans.
Cynthia has been a board-certified family nurse practitioner since 2011. She has a background in several areas, including geriatric care, retail health, primary care and emergency room trauma nursing.
Trakissia Tolbert, FNP
Family Medicine – Baton Rouge - O'Neal Clinic
Trakissia Tolbert holds a master’s degree in nursing from Southern University and A&M College. In 2017, she earned a family nurse practitioner post-graduate certificate from the University of South Alabama.
Before joining Primary Care Plus, Trakissia served as a family nurse practitioner for Ochsner Urgent Care & Occupational Health and the Ochsner Community Health Brees Family Center. She previously served as an adjunct professor for the Southern University School of Nursing and Our Lady of the Lake College.
Trakissia is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
JOHN H. VOCKROTH III, M.D.
Internal Medicine – Algiers Clinic
Dr. John Vockroth earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from The University of Scranton and a Doctor of Medicine from the Medical College of Pennsylvania. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Washington.
Following his residency, Dr. Vockroth served as staff internist with Ireland Army Community Hospital in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He joined Primary Care Plus in 2013.
Dr. Vockroth is board certified in internal medicine and has practiced in the greater New Orleans area for more than 15 years. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, the Louisiana State Medical Society and the Jefferson Parish Medical Society.
Homer H. Williams, M.D.
Family Medicine – New Orleans - Napoleon Clinic
Dr. Homer Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1982, then completed a residency in family medicine at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Williams worked in private practice for several years before opening a family practice office in DeQuincy. Prior to joining Primary Care Plus, he also served as an emergency medicine physician with Concord Medical Group and a primary care provider for DePaul Community Health Centers.
