Our Team
From internal medicine to pediatrics, pharmacy, dental, and OB-GYN, our team of dedicated providers have extensive experience in a wide range of health care services. Along with the rest of the Fetter Health Care Network team, our providers are committed to providing the best possible care to all of our patients within the Lowcountry.
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ALLAHNA COGGINS, MD
Medical Doctor
Dr. Coggins received her bachelor’s in psychobiology with honors from the University of Miami and went on to earn her M.D. in medicine from Tufts University. In addition to more than a decade of experience in Ob/Gyn, she was also an assistant professor for various universities and served as a scholar for the National Health Service Corps.
Asia T. McDonald, MD
Family Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
Dr. McDonald is a board-certified family medicine physician with more than 20 years of clinical experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Clark Atlanta University and earned her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine. Dr. McDonald has worked in various healthcare settings, including FQHs, nonprofit hospitals and private practice in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area before moving to the Lowcountry. She takes a “whole health” approach to caring for her patients and has special interests in lifestlye medicine and the treatment of obesity.
Brian P. Kramer, DDS
Dental Medicine, Dentist
Before joining the Fetter team, Dr. Kramer served as a United States Naval Dental Officer from 2014 to 2018, where he was stationed at RTC Great Lakes and MCRD Parris Island. He continues to serve in the United States Naval Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After active duty, Dr. Kramer moved back home to Indiana to practice dentistry in his hometown, however, he felt a calling to come back to South Carolina and serve the patients of the greater Charleston area. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Movement and Sports Sciences from Purdue University and earned his doctorate for Dental Surgery from Indiana University School of Dentistry.
Brianne J. Holmes, MSN, RN, CPNP
Pediatrics, Nurse Practitioner
Ms. Holmes devoted the former years of her career at Children’s National in Washington DC, staffing the DC-areas school-based health centers. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan and Master of Science in Nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Charles Effiong, MD
Internal Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
Dr. Effiong obtained his doctorate at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He completed his residency at the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Columbia University Harlem Hospital and his fellowship at Long Island Jewish Medical Center while residing in New York. He is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician specializing in Nephrology. Dr. Effiong joined the Fetter Health Care Network team in 2009.
CHRISTOPHER BOWERS, PA-C
Family & Pediatric Medicine, Physician Assistant
Mr. Bowers received his Bachelor of Science in Pre-Med Cum Laude from Murray State University and earned his Master of Science in Physician Studies from New York Institute of Technology. Aside from his experience as an emergency medical technician and physician assistant, Bowers has contributed to a poster publication with fellow physician assistants as well as served in the Carolina Honduras Health Foundation Medical Mission. Bowers joined Fetter Health Care Network as a physician assistant in 2021.
Dana L. Simpson, MD
Family Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
Dr. Simpson is board certified in Family Medicine. She is an Air Force Veteran and prior to joining Fetter, served families across the Lowcountry region for the last 17 years at Life Center Family Medicine, Family Diagnostic Associates and Summerville Family Practice Associates. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University and her medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
Dana LaForte, APRN, NP
Chief Nursing and Quality Officer
Our chief nursing and quality officer, Ms. LaForte, brings more than 14 years of healthcare experience to Fetter Health Care Network. As chief nursing and quality officer, she manages and coordinates all clinical operations, programs and grant initiatives for the organization and oversees Fetter’s continuous improvement by ensuring mission, vision, value and goal alignment across all initiatives. Prior to this leadership role, Ms. LaForte supported Fetter patients as a family nurse practitioner at our Cross, SC, location.
Eleanor Jenkins-Alford, MD
Family Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
Dr. Jenkins-Alford has more than 27 years of experience in family medicine and has practiced in private practice, urgent care and physical medicine. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina. She earned her medical degree at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she also completed her residency in family medicine. Dr. Jenkins-Alford is active in the community and enjoys participating in health-related activities through her affiliation with several community service organizations.
Helen Christina Ballestas, PhD, ANP-BC, RN, CNE
Family Medicine, Nurse Practitioner - Outreach Primary Care
Dr. Ballestas earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing Education from Molloy College in New York. Her Post-master’s certificate in adult nurse practitioner from Adelphi University in New York and her doctorate PhD Leadership for Higher Education from Capella University in Minnesota. Dr. Ballestas is a board-certified nurse practitioner with experiences in internal medicine and primary care. Additional NP experiences include in-patient care in cardiothoracic/open heart step down. As a RN, she has worked in the ICU setting, as bronchoscopy and vascular nurse manager and medical-surgical nursing. As an academician, she has taught nursing in undergraduate and graduate programs for over 15 years.
JENNIFER FREEMAN, MS, FNP-C
Family Medicine, Nurse Practitioner
Ms. Freeman has more than 10 years of experience as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner in the health care system including surgical trauma, inpatient oncology, hospice and served as a graduate teacher assistant at Clemson University. Freeman earned her bachelor’s in nursing from the University of South Carolina and went on to receive her master’s in nursing from Clemson University.
Kay Berland, FNP-BC
Family Medicine, Nurse Practitioner
After receiving her master’s degree in nursing from Florida State University, Ms. Berland worked at FQHC in Savannah for 16 years. For the past three years, she worked two and a half days at pediatrics site. Kay has attended the Contraceptive Technology conference annually for women’s health focus for three years.
KEVIN KUMAR PATEL, MD
Internal Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
Dr. Patel earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the American University of Antigua, graduating summa cum laude. He then went on to complete his internship at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA, where he also became a resident physician. He holds experience in a wide range of medical specialties and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is also multilingual in the languages of English, Gujarati, Hindi and Urdu.
Kimberly Wright, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine, Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Wright is a board-certified FNP-C by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She has earned both her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina and Anderson University, respectively. Ms. Wright continued her education at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
LaKara S. Profit, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Profit is a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner with over 10 years of progressive medical experience. She held various medical positions throughout her career, including a registered nurse with MUSC and a clinical nurse with the Air National Guard. Dr. Profit earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina-Beaufort and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Larry Wilson, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN), Doctor of Medicine
Dr. Wilson graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1989. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology in 1993 at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Wilson became board certified by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1995 and has 25 years of private practice experience. He provides a full range of obstetrics and gynecological care at 51 Nassau Street in downtown Charleston.
LEKEYA MITCHELL, LPC
Behavioral Health, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Ms. Mitchell earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Savannah State University and received her Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from South University. Mitchell has gained years of experience as a case manager and therapist. She was also an adjunct psychology professor at her alma mater, Savannah State University. With certification as a licensed professional counselor, she joined Fetter Health Care Network in 2022.
Marissa Suhocki, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Family Medicine, Nurse Practitioner
Before moving to South Carolina, Ms. Suhocki cared for patients throughout the Midwest, providing advanced cardiovascular life support, mother-infant postpartum inpatient support and more. She earned her Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from Mount Carmel College of Nursing in Columbus, OH, and holds a special interest in family medicine. She is also fluent in both English and Spanish.
Nichole E. Eglian, MSN, ARPN, FNP-C
Family Medicine, Nurse Practitioner
As a Fetter nurse practitioner, Ms. Eglian brings care and comfort to Fetter patients. Prior to joining the network, she served Lowcountry patients at the Bon Secours Roper St. Francis infusion center as well as Midwest patients at medical facilities throughout Ohio. Ms. Eglian has a Master of Science and Doctor of Nursing from Xavier University.
Olumide M. Mughelli, MD, FACOG
Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN), Doctor of Medicine
Dr. Mughelli is a graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Harlem Hospital Medical Center. He is a member of several medical associations, including the South Carolina Medical Society, the American College of OB-GYN, the American Association of Gynecology Laparoscopy and others. Dr. Mughelli is also a past president of the Charleston Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association.
Pamela Johnson, FNP-C
Family Medicine, Nurse Practitioner
Ms. Johnson is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing. She is certified by ANCC as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has been with Fetter Health Care Network since 1996 as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Patti Porter, MSN, APRN, WHNP
Women’s Health, Nurse Practitioner
Ms. Porter received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nursing from the University of Cincinnati College and became board certified as a women’s health nurse practitioner in 2012. Her nursing career has been in public health working at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in OB and then with the Charleston Health Department in GYN before she joined the Fetter team. She specializes in women’s annual exams, family planning and birth control options, sick visits and in follow-up visits for controlled chronic health conditions of women.
Pooja Paunikar, MD, MPH
Medical Doctor
Dr. Paunikar earned her Masters of Public Health from Dartmouth Medical School and her Doctor of Medicine degree from The American University of Antigua. Alongside her role with the Fetter team, she serves as Program Director of Family Medicine at HCA Trident/Summerville Medical Center.
Richetta Deas, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC
Adult Medicine, Nurse Practitioner
Ms. Deas received her Master of Science in Advance Practice Nursing and served as an Adult Nurse Practitioner at Fetter Health Care Network, specializing in family medicine.
Sebrina Jones, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Ms. Jones is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 15 years of experience helping and empowering clients to achieve their mental health goals. She has special proficiency in foster care and child protective services, as well as experience in medical social work, substance abuse counseling and intensive behavioral treatment. Ms. Jones obtained her bachelor’s degree in social work from SUNY Stony Brook University and holds a master’s in social work from Adelphi University.
Sharvette Slaughter, MD, FAAP
Pediatric Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
Dr. Slaughter is the chief medical officer and is a board-certified pediatrician who has worked with the Fetter Health Care Network for the past 16 years. She is primarily responsible for providing leadership and oversight to the medical, dental and pharmacy programs to include supervision of the providers, pharmacists and dental team. Dr. Slaughter is instrumental in the design and implementation of new projects and innovations for the improvement of patient care.
Shawntell Phoenix-Martin, LPC, LCMHC, MAC, NCC
Behavioral Health, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Dr. Phoenix-Martin earned her Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University. She has served her community in various roles throughout her career, including director of counseling services at Savannah State University, New Parent Support Home Visitor for Marine Corp Community Services, and various service projects.
Teri Galter, RD, LD
Registered Dietitian
Ms. Galter earned her bachelor’s degree from Albright College in Reading, Pa. She then went on to complete her certification as a registered dietitian at Immaculata College in Immaculata, Pa. Ms. Galter has served as a registered dietitian for a variety of health centers over the years. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of her patients and seeing their health flourish.
Tiffany Coaxum, RDH
Dental Medicine, Hygienist
Ms. Coaxum is a registered dental hygienist on the Fetter dental team. She holds an associate’s degree in allied health science dental hygiene from Horry-Georgetown Technical College and holds the rank of E-5/Sergent with the U.S. Army. Before joining Fetter, Ms. Coaxum served Charleston-area patients as a dental hygienist with Koolsmiles and an informed supervisor with Heartland.
Wakesha J. Evans, PA-C
Family Medicine, Physician Assistant
Ms. Evans serves as a physician assistant for Fetter Health Care Network. She attended Claflin University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry. Ms. Evans has received both her Masters in Biomedical Science and Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the Medical University of South Carolina. Prior to joining Fetter, she provided care in internal medicine and family practice offices for 14 years. She is also a licensed fitness instructor and is heavily involved in the community through her church and a variety of community organizations.