Our Team

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.

Caitlin Briggs, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Family Medicine, Nurse Practitioner

Ms. Briggs is certified as an Adult Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). With more than 12 years of nursing experience, she addresses critical patient needs with high-quality, evidence-based care. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Francis Marion University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University. Ms. Briggs holds a post master’s certificate 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Mary E. Creed, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Family Medicine, Nurse Practitioner

With more than 15 years of nursing experience, Ms. Creed is dedicated to providing Fetter clients with the patient-focused care they need. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Thomas Edison State College and her master’s degree in nursing from Aspen University in Colorado. Ms. Creed is a member of the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

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.