Skip to main content

Meet Our Team

LaLaesha Black

LaLaesha Black

Interim Chief Executive Officer

"It is my privilege to serve the community of Elkhart by helping to provide high quality, low cost healthcare to all of it’s members, regardless of their ability to pay. It is my goal to assist in making Heart City Health not only a great experience for our patients, but for our employees too."

Pediatricians:

Christine Dankwa

Christine Dankwa, MD

SpecialityPediatrician
DegreeDoctor of Medicine

"I love kids! Interacting with them and watching them develop keeps me young. It has been my privilege to be a part of keeping children happy and healthy."

Erin Farrell

Erin Farrell, MD

SpecialityPediatrician
DegreeDoctor of Medicine

"The aspect of being a pediatrician I enjoy the most is watching children grow and develop, and being a positive influence on the person they will become."

Dwayne Johnson, MD

Dwayne Johnson, MD

SpecialityPediatrician
DegreeDoctor of Medicine

"I aspire to empower the families of this community with the ability to maintain better healthcare for their children. Through Heart City Health, that aspiration can be realized."

Ashraf Assous, MD

SpecialityPediatrician
DegreeDoctor of Medicine

I'm honored to be part of this caring community. As a pediatrician, I’m dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care and partnering with families to support their children’s health. I look forward to meeting you!"

Family Medicine:

McManmon

Mary Pat McManmon, MD

SpecialityFamily Medicine
DegreeDoctor of Medicine

“I have practiced a broad range of medicine including obstetrics, pediatrics, ER, urgent care, and geriatrics. Currently, my focus is providing care for adults, and my interests include evidence-based medicine, chronic disease management, and women's care.”

Montasir

Essam Montasir, MD

SpecialityFamily Medicine
DegreeDoctor of Medicine

“Working at Heart City Health is a rewarding experience. I help patients who otherwise would be without any medical care or medications, and in some occasions, is even lifesaving!”

Angelina Panford

Angelina Panford, FNP

SpecialityFamily Medicine
DegreeFamily Nurse Practitioner

“It’s a pleasure working at Heart City Health and the community that it serves. Each day provides an opportunity to serve the community, and affect change in peoples’ lives. I love my Heart City Health family and friends.”

Scott Bethel

Scott Bethel, FNP

SpecialityFamily Medicine
DegreeFamily Nurse Practitioner

“I appreciate the opportunity to help people in their journey to optimize both physical and mental health.”

Dr. Sam headshot

Samuel Kobba, FNP-C

SpecialityFamily Medicine
DegreeFamily Nurse Practitioner

"Helping people and being part of a compassionate and effective team are my primary reasons for enjoying my work at Heart City Health. Seeing my patients recover and find relief from illness and pain is a deeply fulfilling experience."

Peter Mugetha, FNP

SpecialityFamily Medicine
DegreeFamily Nurse Practitioner

"I choose to work in a community clinic because I believe true healthcare reform starts in our communities, where we can make a real difference in people's lives through education, prevention, and compassionate care."

Tamera Andrews, FNP

SpecialityFamily Medicine
DegreeFamily Nurse Practitioner

"I appreciate the opportunity to work at Heart City Health to provide care and compassion to Elkhart and the surrounding community and those in need."

Jose Rodriguez, FNP

SpecialityFamily Medicine
DegreeFamily Nurse Practitioner

"Treat others with the kindness and respect you would want for yourself. I put myself in their shoes, understanding their struggles because I have walked a similar path. Having experienced poverty and once being a migrant worker, my heart and passion lie with underserved communities, ensuring they receive the support and opportunities they deserve.""

Behavioral Health:

Andrea Miller

Andrea Miller, PMHNP-BC

SpecialityBehavioral Health
DegreeBoard Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

“I am privileged to be part of the Heart City Health team to help those in our community along their mental health journeys.”

Bill Cupp

Bill Cupp, PMHNP

SpecialityBehavioral Health
DegreePsychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

“I enjoy helping my clients achieve their maximum level of health. Seeing my previously depressed or anxious patients finally able to laugh, smile or be fully engaged with their families again is very rewarding.”

Jessica Clark, MA, LMHCA

SpecialityBehavioral Health
DegreeLicensed Mental Health Counselor Associate

“I help individuals heal and reclaim their lives after trauma. As a psychotherapist specializing in Trauma and EMDR, I offer compassionate, effective treatment to empower my patients to build a brighter future. I hold a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with extensive EMDR training”

Melissa Schiffli

Melissa Schiffli, LCSW

Speciality Behavioral Health
DegreeLicensed Clinical Social Worker

“I enjoy working with people and giving them hope and the tools to make tomorrow a better day. Everyone needs a cheerleader in their life and someone who will not judge them from where they came from but see their strengths to help guide them towards their future.”


Adam Peila, PMHNP

SpecialityBehavioral Health
DegreeBoard Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

"I am excited to work for Heart City Health because of how committed they are to serving the community by providing the necessary services to maintain one's overall health and wellness. You can tell they truly care and, most importantly, they actively are looking to serve the person and not just the symptoms."

Dentists:

Dr. Green

Mark Green, DDS

Speciality Dentist
DegreeDoctor of Dental Surgery

“It is better to give than to receive and since I have been given much, I have a lot to give back.”


Fernando Ruiz, DDS

SpecialityDentist
DegreeDoctor of Dental Surgery

"I am dedicated to helping people achieve healthy, confident smiles. I take pride in building trusting relationships while providing quality care that improves oral health and overall well-being."

Mohamed Ghandour, DDS

Speciality Dentist
DegreeDoctor of Dental Surgery

“Access to dental care ought to be a right, not a privilege. I'm excited to work at Heart City Health, where I can offer high-quality dental services at an affordable price.”


Pharmacy:

Gene Valdez

Gene Valdez, BS, RPh

SpecialityPharmacy
DegreeBachelor of Science, Registered Pharmacist

"On a daily basis we treat patients that may not be able to afford their medications anyplace else because of the high cost of prescription drugs, It is an honor to help these individuals with quality care at a reasonable price."

Chiropractic:

Dr. Majerus

Josh Majerus, DC

Speciality Chiropractic; Musculoskeletal
DegreeDoctor of Chiropractic

“I am excited to be a part of a multidisciplinary team. Patients have access to a wide range of options to help alleviate their chronic spine and musculoskeletal pain. A team-based approach allows the patient, their doctor and chiropractor to work together to effectively manage their symptoms.”


Women’s Health:

Samantha Jester, CNM

Speciality Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hospital AffiliationsElkhart General Hospital


Julie Motycka, MD

Speciality Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hospital AffiliationsMemorial Hospital of South Bend
Elkhart General Hospital


Thalia Pachiyannakis, MD, FACOG

Speciality Obstetrics and Gynecology
DegreeBachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery

"I love working with women of all ages, helping them feel comfortable getting care, and answering their questions.
I am passionate about empowering girls and women by educating them about their bodies and health and helping them through the different stages of their lives."


Lora DeFreese, CNM

Speciality Midwifery
Hospital AffiliationsElkhart General Hospital


Heather Hostetler, CNM

Speciality Midwifery
Hospital AffiliationsElkhart General Hospital


Tara Jones, CNM

Speciality Midwifery
Hospital AffiliationsElkhart General Hospital