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I am Dr. Opara, a native of the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, and I am proud to serve the KerixHealth community! While I was raised here, I honed my hands-on style of practicing family medicine while training in rural Pennsylvania, which taught me the value of a strong patient-doctor relationship. As a first-generation child of Nigerian immigrants, I was raised with a deep-seated appreciation for hard work, and I bring that commitment to every patient interaction. I chose a career in family medicine not just as a profession, but as a calling, a way to live out my Christian faith by showing the love of Christ through healing and caring for the sick. My passion is to help my patients regain autonomy over their health, especially those struggling with obesity and related chronic illnesses. Through the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, I have the time to truly listen to your story and use my expertise in lifestyle and obesity medicine to partner with you on a personalized wellness journey. I practice evidence-based care and my goal is to build a healthcare safety net that is accessible, affordable, and dedicated to your long-term well-being. When I'm not in the office, you can find me having dance parties with my six-year-old nephew, laughing until I can't breathe with a close group of friends, or "rucking" with my local hike club. These moments with family and friends fuel my spirit and reinforce the importance of living a vibrant, active life. I look forward to meeting you and your family and partnering with you on your health journey!

Sarah has been a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner since 2012. Her nursing career began in critical care, with experience in the ICU, step-down units and labor & delivery. As a nurse practitioner, she has worked in gynecology, oncology, pediatric surgery, and pediatric urgent care. For the past nine years, she has focused on pediatric primary care, providing comprehensive healthcare to children and their families. At KerixHealth, Sarah looks forward to treating patients of all ages and is committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care across the lifespan. Sarah is passionate about building strong patient-provider relationships and strives to create a welcoming environment where individuals feel heard and valued. She believes in a collaborative approach to healthcare, ensuring patients leave each visit feeling informed and empowered rather than lectured. She completed her undergraduate studies in biomedical zoology at the University of Oklahoma before earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Oklahoma City University, where she was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Saint Louis University. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and their two sons, ages 10 and 12. Their family also includes a beloved giant doodle dog named Gander. She trains in taekwondo, is an avid OU Sooners football fan, enjoys outdoor activities, and loves to travel.

I am Dr. Opara, a native of the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, and I am proud to serve the KerixHealth community! While I was raised here, I honed my hands-on style of practicing family medicine while training in rural Pennsylvania, which taught me the value of a strong patient-doctor relationship. As a first-generation child of Nigerian immigrants, I was raised with a deep-seated appreciation for hard work, and I bring that commitment to every patient interaction. I chose a career in family medicine not just as a profession, but as a calling, a way to live out my Christian faith by showing the love of Christ through healing and caring for the sick. My passion is to help my patients regain autonomy over their health, especially those struggling with obesity and related chronic illnesses. Through the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, I have the time to truly listen to your story and use my expertise in lifestyle and obesity medicine to partner with you on a personalized wellness journey. I practice evidence-based care and my goal is to build a healthcare safety net that is accessible, affordable, and dedicated to your long-term well-being. When I'm not in the office, you can find me having dance parties with my six-year-old nephew, laughing until I can't breathe with a close group of friends, or "rucking" with my local hike club. These moments with family and friends fuel my spirit and reinforce the importance of living a vibrant, active life. I look forward to meeting you and your family and partnering with you on your health journey!

Sarah has been a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner since 2012. Her nursing career began in critical care, with experience in the ICU, step-down units and labor & delivery. As a nurse practitioner, she has worked in gynecology, oncology, pediatric surgery, and pediatric urgent care. For the past nine years, she has focused on pediatric primary care, providing comprehensive healthcare to children and their families. At KerixHealth, Sarah looks forward to treating patients of all ages and is committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care across the lifespan. Sarah is passionate about building strong patient-provider relationships and strives to create a welcoming environment where individuals feel heard and valued. She believes in a collaborative approach to healthcare, ensuring patients leave each visit feeling informed and empowered rather than lectured. She completed her undergraduate studies in biomedical zoology at the University of Oklahoma before earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Oklahoma City University, where she was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Saint Louis University. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and their two sons, ages 10 and 12. Their family also includes a beloved giant doodle dog named Gander. She trains in taekwondo, is an avid OU Sooners football fan, enjoys outdoor activities, and loves to travel.

Born and raised in Orlando, FL. Dr. Hemkes left Florida to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with Distinction with a BS Biology minor in Chemistry in 2002. She went on to attend medical school at the the University of South Florida in Tampa graduating in 2006. Then Dr. Hemkes returned to North Carolina to attend one of the top Family Medicine residency programs at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, NC, completing residency in 2009. For the first ten years of her practice, Dr Hemkes gained experience in a diversity of roles and settings. She has worked in Emergency departments, in the inpatient setting as a hospitalist , and outpatient clinics as a traditional Family medicine doctor. Dr. Hemkes has worked in urban settings such as inner city Chicago and also in settings as remote as rural Alaska. She believes that this diversity of experiences has improved her skills and knowledge but also allowed her to become a more empathetic healer. After being an employed doctor for 10 years, she was excited to find a different model of care called “Direct Primary care”. Dr. Hemkes believes that DPC empowers the physician and the patient . She will advocate for your health as if you were a member of her family. Everyone deserves a healthcare advocate.

Dr Aughey was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids WI. Attended UW Stevens Point for his undergraduate degree, graduating with a BS in Chemistry. After working a few years in the private sector, he returned to medical school and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison Medical School in 1993. Dr Aughey went on to complete his residency training at the Family Medicine Department of Wake Forest University in Winston Salem NC and graduated as Chief Resident in 1996. He decided to move back to Wisconsin, so him and his wife Barb moved to Sun Prairie, WI where he joined SSM Health Dean Medical Group . He has spent the last 20+ years practicing broad spectrum Family Medicine. He is excited to bring these years of experience to AdvocateMD. Dr Aughey believes the patient-doctor relationship is as important as the medicine itself, in providing high quality care. Dr Aughey lives with his wife Barb (an RN) in Sun Prairie. They have three adult children – including a daughter in Medical School. He enjoys many outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing) and traveling with his family.

Dr Karen Shulman was born in upstate New York , but raised from a young age in Southern Ontario. She attended the University of Waterloo, studying Kinesiology and then went on to Medical School at Western University in London, Ontario. She completed her Family Medicine Residency in London before starting her career as a physician in the United States. Dr Shulman worked for 3 years in Western Massachusetts before moving to Marshfield Wisconsin to work at Marshfield Clinic. She has worked as a Family doctor in a rural clinic in Stratford, Wisconsin for over 20 years. More recently she also took over an Administrative role as Medical Director of Adult Primary Care for Marshfield Clinic Health system. Now Dr Shulman is really looking forward returning to her true passion of providing comprehensive primary care to a variety of different patients and different medical conditions. While Dr Shulman is new to Madison, she is excited to be living closer to her 2 sons who are already in Madison. Her daughter is not far way in LaCrosse. Dr Shulman and her husband Doug enjoy cycling, hiking, diving, and traveling when they have time.

Dr Julia Danz was born and raised on Kaukauna Wisconsin. She attended Beloit College and then went on to attend Nova Southeastern for Medical School. Then Dr Danz completed her residency training at the McLaren Health in Lansing, Michigan. Dr Danz worked in Sauk Prairie prior to coming to work at Advocate MD. Dr Danz believes that being a Family Medicine physician allows her to provide high-quality, comprehensive care while building long-term relationships with patients. In terms of choosing Direct Primary Care and coming to work at Advocate MD, she says “Direct Primary Care allows me to practice Medicine the way it should be. Excellent care that is accessible, transparent and patient-focused.” Dr Danz lives in Middleton with her husband Stefan and son Luca. She enjoys reading, baking and exploring Madison with her Family.

Dr Gina DeGiovanni was born and raised in Prairie du Sac. She grew up in a medical household with a surgeon dad and nurse mom. Dr DeGiovanni went to the University of Chicago for Undergrad and Medical School. She completed one year of General Surgery residency before deciding to switch to Family Medicine and completing her residency at West Suburban Medical Center in the Chicago suburbs. Dr DeGiovanni lives in Prairie du Sac with her husband and teenage son. She is very excited to be part of KerixHealth.

Dr Jennifer Philbin was born and raised in Madison, WI. She received her Undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Then she went onto Medical school at the University of Illinois- Chicago. Finally she completed residency at Advocate Illinois Masonic in Chicago. Dr Philbin then moved back to Madison to be closer to Family. Dr Philbin says she chose Family Medicine “because of the breadth of the specialty and the ability to build meaningful, lasting, healthy relationships with people at different time in their lives.” She is looking forward to being a part of Advocate MD because she believes the model focuses on the patient/doctor relationship which enables better quality, outcomes and health. In her spare time Dr Philbin enjoys watching Wisconsin sports, reading, hiking, traveling and is a beginner birder. She lives in Madison with her husband Mike, two adult sons, and her dog.

Jacqueline Harrison, MD, grew up on a farm in northeast Nebraska. She completed undergraduate school at the University of Nebraska-Kearney with a degree in Biology. In 2014, she earned her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. She then completed her residency training in family medicine at the University of Michigan. She has been board-certified in family medicine since 2017. She enjoys seeing people of all ages and likes to take the time to get to know her patients. Building a relationship between provider and patient is one of the many perks of being a family medicine physician. Her clinical interests include preventative care, chronic disease management, and women's health. In her free time, Dr. Harrison enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children. She loves any and all activities that get her out in the fresh air. She also enjoys cooking/baking, horseback riding, and traveling.

Carrie Wilcox, MD, is Board Certified in Family Medicine. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Spanish before attending medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Growing up in small-town Nebraska inspired her to pursue training in Family Medicine, where the scope of practice isn't limited to just one area of health. She completed residency at Rose Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, where she served as chief resident during her final year of residency. The appeal of Colorados active lifestyle made an impression during that time, and after working a year of locum tenens in New Zealand, she moved back to practice in Longmont, Colorado. By chance, she fell into the Direct Primary Care model of healthcare and has enjoyed how this practice model has allowed her to serve her patients in a more accessible way. Dr. Wilcox enjoys seeing all ages in the office and likes to manage chronic medical conditions as well as work on preventive health measures. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking, which she balances by seeking out new hiking trails and fitness classes. With any significant time off, you will most likely find her (or lose her) in an international travel destination.

Dr. Deming is a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician. She received her Undergraduate and Medical degrees at the University of Florida. She then became a Colorado transplant to complete her residency at Rose Family Medicine Residency in Denver in 2016. Dr. Deming has always loved the cradle to grave scope of Family Medicine with the ability to care for people of all ages. She has been passionate about serving her patients in a collaborative and compassionate manner. After her residency training, she served in the rural farming community of Yuma, Colorado for six years. She provided primary care, inpatient and emergency medicine to the community. This opportunity challenged Dr. Deming to serve her patients in creative ways to provide them with the care that they needed with limited resources to specialty care and other support. She gained a great deal of knowledge about medicine and herself as this experience shaped her practice as a physician. Her clinical practice focuses on broad-spectrum Family Medicine including preventative medicine, care of chronic conditions, weight loss management, pediatrics, womens health, and urgent care needs. She especially enjoys the opportunity to form open and trusting relationships with her patients and finds this to be the most gratifying aspect of practicing medicine. She performs a variety of procedures including long-term birth control insertion and removal, fracture splinting/casting, joint injections, minor skin procedures, and others. In her spare time, you can find her playing with plants, paint and yarn; cooking, fishing, traveling, reading, practicing martial arts, and spending time in the beautiful Colorado outdoors.

Dr. Jason Lindsey grew up in the metro Detroit area with a passion for helping others. He earned his undergraduate degree in Nutritional Science from Michigan State University before pursuing his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine at the Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, MI. As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Dr. Lindsey emphasizes a whole-person approach to care, focusing on the connection between the body, mind and spirit. He is trained in both conventional medicine and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on technique used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses by improving overall body function. Dr. Lindsey completed his residency in Family Medicine at the In His Image program in Tulsa, OK, and is board certified in his field. He also served as a clinical instructor at the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, sharing his passion for patient-centered care with future physicians. When he is not caring for patients, Dr. Lindsey enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Melanie Lindsey and their beautiful children. A proud Michigan State Spartan, he loves cheering on Big 10 sports teams, especially Spartan basketball. Outside of work, you'll often find him skiing, fishing, scuba diving, or exploring the Colorado outdoors.

Jacqueline Harrison, MD, grew up on a farm in northeast Nebraska. She completed undergraduate school at the University of Nebraska-Kearney with a degree in Biology. In 2014, she earned her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. She then completed her residency training in family medicine at the University of Michigan. She has been board-certified in family medicine since 2017. She enjoys seeing people of all ages and likes to take the time to get to know her patients. Building a relationship between provider and patient is one of the many perks of being a family medicine physician. Her clinical interests include preventative care, chronic disease management, and women's health. In her free time, Dr. Harrison enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children. She loves any and all activities that get her out in the fresh air. She also enjoys cooking/baking, horseback riding, and traveling.

Born and raised in Orlando, FL. Dr. Hemkes left Florida to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with Distinction with a BS Biology minor in Chemistry in 2002. She went on to attend medical school at the the University of South Florida in Tampa graduating in 2006. Then Dr. Hemkes returned to North Carolina to attend one of the top Family Medicine residency programs at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, NC, completing residency in 2009. For the first ten years of her practice, Dr Hemkes gained experience in a diversity of roles and settings. She has worked in Emergency departments, in the inpatient setting as a hospitalist , and outpatient clinics as a traditional Family medicine doctor. Dr. Hemkes has worked in urban settings such as inner city Chicago and also in settings as remote as rural Alaska. She believes that this diversity of experiences has improved her skills and knowledge but also allowed her to become a more empathetic healer. After being an employed doctor for 10 years, she was excited to find a different model of care called “Direct Primary care”. Dr. Hemkes believes that DPC empowers the physician and the patient . She will advocate for your health as if you were a member of her family. Everyone deserves a healthcare advocate.

Dr Aughey was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids WI. Attended UW Stevens Point for his undergraduate degree, graduating with a BS in Chemistry. After working a few years in the private sector, he returned to medical school and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison Medical School in 1993. Dr Aughey went on to complete his residency training at the Family Medicine Department of Wake Forest University in Winston Salem NC and graduated as Chief Resident in 1996. He decided to move back to Wisconsin, so him and his wife Barb moved to Sun Prairie, WI where he joined SSM Health Dean Medical Group . He has spent the last 20+ years practicing broad spectrum Family Medicine. He is excited to bring these years of experience to AdvocateMD. Dr Aughey believes the patient-doctor relationship is as important as the medicine itself, in providing high quality care. Dr Aughey lives with his wife Barb (an RN) in Sun Prairie. They have three adult children – including a daughter in Medical School. He enjoys many outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing) and traveling with his family.

Dr Karen Shulman was born in upstate New York , but raised from a young age in Southern Ontario. She attended the University of Waterloo, studying Kinesiology and then went on to Medical School at Western University in London, Ontario. She completed her Family Medicine Residency in London before starting her career as a physician in the United States. Dr Shulman worked for 3 years in Western Massachusetts before moving to Marshfield Wisconsin to work at Marshfield Clinic. She has worked as a Family doctor in a rural clinic in Stratford, Wisconsin for over 20 years. More recently she also took over an Administrative role as Medical Director of Adult Primary Care for Marshfield Clinic Health system. Now Dr Shulman is really looking forward returning to her true passion of providing comprehensive primary care to a variety of different patients and different medical conditions. While Dr Shulman is new to Madison, she is excited to be living closer to her 2 sons who are already in Madison. Her daughter is not far way in LaCrosse. Dr Shulman and her husband Doug enjoy cycling, hiking, diving, and traveling when they have time.

Dr Christina Quale was born and raised in Stoughton WI. She attended Stoughton High School. She then went on to attend University of Wisconsin- Madison for Undergrad. Then Dr Quale attended Medical School at Medical College of Wisconsin and continued on to do her Family Medicine residency at Aurora St Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee. She choose Family Medicine because she enjoys getting to know her patients over time, and loves to hear their stories. Dr Quale appreciates being able to care for patients throughout different ages and stages of life. For her, it is an honor for them to trust in her, especially during some of their most difficult moments. Dr Quale enjoys working with rescue animals and helped train dogs at the Dane County Humane Society. Her other interests include hiking, cycling, Scuba diving, watching Badger sports and traveling with family. Dr Quale lives with her husband Dave and two rescue cats in Edgerton, Wisconsin.

Dr Julia Danz was born and raised on Kaukauna Wisconsin. She attended Beloit College and then went on to attend Nova Southeastern for Medical School. Then Dr Danz completed her residency training at the McLaren Health in Lansing, Michigan. Dr Danz worked in Sauk Prairie prior to coming to work at Advocate MD. Dr Danz believes that being a Family Medicine physician allows her to provide high-quality, comprehensive care while building long-term relationships with patients. In terms of choosing Direct Primary Care and coming to work at Advocate MD, she says “Direct Primary Care allows me to practice Medicine the way it should be. Excellent care that is accessible, transparent and patient-focused.” Dr Danz lives in Middleton with her husband Stefan and son Luca. She enjoys reading, baking and exploring Madison with her Family.

Dr Gina DeGiovanni was born and raised in Prairie du Sac. She grew up in a medical household with a surgeon dad and nurse mom. Dr DeGiovanni went to the University of Chicago for Undergrad and Medical School. She completed one year of General Surgery residency before deciding to switch to Family Medicine and completing her residency at West Suburban Medical Center in the Chicago suburbs. Dr DeGiovanni lives in Prairie du Sac with her husband and teenage son. She is very excited to be part of KerixHealth.

Dr Jennifer Philbin was born and raised in Madison, WI. She received her Undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Then she went onto Medical school at the University of Illinois- Chicago. Finally she completed residency at Advocate Illinois Masonic in Chicago. Dr Philbin then moved back to Madison to be closer to Family. Dr Philbin says she chose Family Medicine “because of the breadth of the specialty and the ability to build meaningful, lasting, healthy relationships with people at different time in their lives.” She is looking forward to being a part of Advocate MD because she believes the model focuses on the patient/doctor relationship which enables better quality, outcomes and health. In her spare time Dr Philbin enjoys watching Wisconsin sports, reading, hiking, traveling and is a beginner birder. She lives in Madison with her husband Mike, two adult sons, and her dog.

Dr. Mixtacki was born and raised in Madison, WI, where she attended LaFollette High School on the city’s east side. She went on to attend Winona State University in Minnesota, graduating in 2010 with a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology and a minor in Spanish. She then returned to Wisconsin to attend the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, graduating in 2015. Dr. Mixtacki completed her residency training at the Waukesha Family Practice Residency Program in Waukesha, WI in 2018. Dr. Mixtacki believes that Family Medicine is the heart of the medical system. She was drawn to the longstanding doctor-patient relationships, preventative focus, and broad spectrum of care that defines the specialty. She feels privileged to partner with people of all ages and backgrounds across their lifespans, and finds deep meaning in watching families grow and change over time. As a Primary Care Physician, she embraces her role not only as a doctor, but also as a teacher, guide, and advocate for her patients. Dr. Mixtacki is excited to join Advocate MD, a KerixHealth company, and looks forward to having the time and space to engage wholeheartedly in partnership with her patients and families. She is committed to getting back to the art of medicine — hearing each patient’s life story and focusing on the health questions that matter most to them and their lives. Outside of the office, Dr. Mixtacki enjoys spending time with her husband Brian and their children exploring parks and going on family adventures. She also loves cooking, arts and crafts, singing, hiking, biking, camping, and playing volleyball.

Dr. Deming is a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician. She received her Undergraduate and Medical degrees at the University of Florida. She then became a Colorado transplant to complete her residency at Rose Family Medicine Residency in Denver in 2016. Dr. Deming has always loved the cradle to grave scope of Family Medicine with the ability to care for people of all ages. She has been passionate about serving her patients in a collaborative and compassionate manner. After her residency training, she served in the rural farming community of Yuma, Colorado for six years. She provided primary care, inpatient and emergency medicine to the community. This opportunity challenged Dr. Deming to serve her patients in creative ways to provide them with the care that they needed with limited resources to specialty care and other support. She gained a great deal of knowledge about medicine and herself as this experience shaped her practice as a physician. Her clinical practice focuses on broad-spectrum Family Medicine including preventative medicine, care of chronic conditions, weight loss management, pediatrics, womens health, and urgent care needs. She especially enjoys the opportunity to form open and trusting relationships with her patients and finds this to be the most gratifying aspect of practicing medicine. She performs a variety of procedures including long-term birth control insertion and removal, fracture splinting/casting, joint injections, minor skin procedures, and others. In her spare time, you can find her playing with plants, paint and yarn; cooking, fishing, traveling, reading, practicing martial arts, and spending time in the beautiful Colorado outdoors.

Carrie Wilcox, MD, is Board Certified in Family Medicine. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Spanish before attending medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Growing up in small-town Nebraska inspired her to pursue training in Family Medicine, where the scope of practice isn't limited to just one area of health. She completed residency at Rose Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, where she served as chief resident during her final year of residency. The appeal of Colorados active lifestyle made an impression during that time, and after working a year of locum tenens in New Zealand, she moved back to practice in Longmont, Colorado. By chance, she fell into the Direct Primary Care model of healthcare and has enjoyed how this practice model has allowed her to serve her patients in a more accessible way. Dr. Wilcox enjoys seeing all ages in the office and likes to manage chronic medical conditions as well as work on preventive health measures. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking, which she balances by seeking out new hiking trails and fitness classes. With any significant time off, you will most likely find her (or lose her) in an international travel destination.

Dr. Jason Lindsey grew up in the metro Detroit area with a passion for helping others. He earned his undergraduate degree in Nutritional Science from Michigan State University before pursuing his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine at the Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, MI. As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Dr. Lindsey emphasizes a whole-person approach to care, focusing on the connection between the body, mind and spirit. He is trained in both conventional medicine and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on technique used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses by improving overall body function. Dr. Lindsey completed his residency in Family Medicine at the In His Image program in Tulsa, OK, and is board certified in his field. He also served as a clinical instructor at the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, sharing his passion for patient-centered care with future physicians. When he is not caring for patients, Dr. Lindsey enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Melanie Lindsey and their beautiful children. A proud Michigan State Spartan, he loves cheering on Big 10 sports teams, especially Spartan basketball. Outside of work, you'll often find him skiing, fishing, scuba diving, or exploring the Colorado outdoors.

Born and raised in Orlando, FL. Dr. Hemkes left Florida to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with Distinction with a BS Biology minor in Chemistry in 2002. She went on to attend medical school at the the University of South Florida in Tampa graduating in 2006. Then Dr. Hemkes returned to North Carolina to attend one of the top Family Medicine residency programs at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, NC, completing residency in 2009. For the first ten years of her practice, Dr Hemkes gained experience in a diversity of roles and settings. She has worked in Emergency departments, in the inpatient setting as a hospitalist , and outpatient clinics as a traditional Family medicine doctor. Dr. Hemkes has worked in urban settings such as inner city Chicago and also in settings as remote as rural Alaska. She believes that this diversity of experiences has improved her skills and knowledge but also allowed her to become a more empathetic healer. After being an employed doctor for 10 years, she was excited to find a different model of care called “Direct Primary care”. Dr. Hemkes believes that DPC empowers the physician and the patient . She will advocate for your health as if you were a member of her family. Everyone deserves a healthcare advocate.

Dr Aughey was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids WI. Attended UW Stevens Point for his undergraduate degree, graduating with a BS in Chemistry. After working a few years in the private sector, he returned to medical school and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison Medical School in 1993. Dr Aughey went on to complete his residency training at the Family Medicine Department of Wake Forest University in Winston Salem NC and graduated as Chief Resident in 1996. He decided to move back to Wisconsin, so him and his wife Barb moved to Sun Prairie, WI where he joined SSM Health Dean Medical Group . He has spent the last 20+ years practicing broad spectrum Family Medicine. He is excited to bring these years of experience to AdvocateMD. Dr Aughey believes the patient-doctor relationship is as important as the medicine itself, in providing high quality care. Dr Aughey lives with his wife Barb (an RN) in Sun Prairie. They have three adult children – including a daughter in Medical School. He enjoys many outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing) and traveling with his family.

Dr Karen Shulman was born in upstate New York , but raised from a young age in Southern Ontario. She attended the University of Waterloo, studying Kinesiology and then went on to Medical School at Western University in London, Ontario. She completed her Family Medicine Residency in London before starting her career as a physician in the United States. Dr Shulman worked for 3 years in Western Massachusetts before moving to Marshfield Wisconsin to work at Marshfield Clinic. She has worked as a Family doctor in a rural clinic in Stratford, Wisconsin for over 20 years. More recently she also took over an Administrative role as Medical Director of Adult Primary Care for Marshfield Clinic Health system. Now Dr Shulman is really looking forward returning to her true passion of providing comprehensive primary care to a variety of different patients and different medical conditions. While Dr Shulman is new to Madison, she is excited to be living closer to her 2 sons who are already in Madison. Her daughter is not far way in LaCrosse. Dr Shulman and her husband Doug enjoy cycling, hiking, diving, and traveling when they have time.

Dr Jennifer Philbin was born and raised in Madison, WI. She received her Undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Then she went onto Medical school at the University of Illinois- Chicago. Finally she completed residency at Advocate Illinois Masonic in Chicago. Dr Philbin then moved back to Madison to be closer to Family. Dr Philbin says she chose Family Medicine “because of the breadth of the specialty and the ability to build meaningful, lasting, healthy relationships with people at different time in their lives.” She is looking forward to being a part of Advocate MD because she believes the model focuses on the patient/doctor relationship which enables better quality, outcomes and health. In her spare time Dr Philbin enjoys watching Wisconsin sports, reading, hiking, traveling and is a beginner birder. She lives in Madison with her husband Mike, two adult sons, and her dog.

Born and raised in Orlando, FL. Dr. Hemkes left Florida to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with Distinction with a BS Biology minor in Chemistry in 2002. She went on to attend medical school at the the University of South Florida in Tampa graduating in 2006. Then Dr. Hemkes returned to North Carolina to attend one of the top Family Medicine residency programs at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, NC, completing residency in 2009. For the first ten years of her practice, Dr Hemkes gained experience in a diversity of roles and settings. She has worked in Emergency departments, in the inpatient setting as a hospitalist , and outpatient clinics as a traditional Family medicine doctor. Dr. Hemkes has worked in urban settings such as inner city Chicago and also in settings as remote as rural Alaska. She believes that this diversity of experiences has improved her skills and knowledge but also allowed her to become a more empathetic healer. After being an employed doctor for 10 years, she was excited to find a different model of care called “Direct Primary care”. Dr. Hemkes believes that DPC empowers the physician and the patient . She will advocate for your health as if you were a member of her family. Everyone deserves a healthcare advocate.

Dr Aughey was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids WI. Attended UW Stevens Point for his undergraduate degree, graduating with a BS in Chemistry. After working a few years in the private sector, he returned to medical school and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison Medical School in 1993. Dr Aughey went on to complete his residency training at the Family Medicine Department of Wake Forest University in Winston Salem NC and graduated as Chief Resident in 1996. He decided to move back to Wisconsin, so him and his wife Barb moved to Sun Prairie, WI where he joined SSM Health Dean Medical Group . He has spent the last 20+ years practicing broad spectrum Family Medicine. He is excited to bring these years of experience to AdvocateMD. Dr Aughey believes the patient-doctor relationship is as important as the medicine itself, in providing high quality care. Dr Aughey lives with his wife Barb (an RN) in Sun Prairie. They have three adult children – including a daughter in Medical School. He enjoys many outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing) and traveling with his family.

Dr Karen Shulman was born in upstate New York , but raised from a young age in Southern Ontario. She attended the University of Waterloo, studying Kinesiology and then went on to Medical School at Western University in London, Ontario. She completed her Family Medicine Residency in London before starting her career as a physician in the United States. Dr Shulman worked for 3 years in Western Massachusetts before moving to Marshfield Wisconsin to work at Marshfield Clinic. She has worked as a Family doctor in a rural clinic in Stratford, Wisconsin for over 20 years. More recently she also took over an Administrative role as Medical Director of Adult Primary Care for Marshfield Clinic Health system. Now Dr Shulman is really looking forward returning to her true passion of providing comprehensive primary care to a variety of different patients and different medical conditions. While Dr Shulman is new to Madison, she is excited to be living closer to her 2 sons who are already in Madison. Her daughter is not far way in LaCrosse. Dr Shulman and her husband Doug enjoy cycling, hiking, diving, and traveling when they have time.

Dr Julia Danz was born and raised on Kaukauna Wisconsin. She attended Beloit College and then went on to attend Nova Southeastern for Medical School. Then Dr Danz completed her residency training at the McLaren Health in Lansing, Michigan. Dr Danz worked in Sauk Prairie prior to coming to work at Advocate MD. Dr Danz believes that being a Family Medicine physician allows her to provide high-quality, comprehensive care while building long-term relationships with patients. In terms of choosing Direct Primary Care and coming to work at Advocate MD, she says “Direct Primary Care allows me to practice Medicine the way it should be. Excellent care that is accessible, transparent and patient-focused.” Dr Danz lives in Middleton with her husband Stefan and son Luca. She enjoys reading, baking and exploring Madison with her Family.

Dr Gina DeGiovanni was born and raised in Prairie du Sac. She grew up in a medical household with a surgeon dad and nurse mom. Dr DeGiovanni went to the University of Chicago for Undergrad and Medical School. She completed one year of General Surgery residency before deciding to switch to Family Medicine and completing her residency at West Suburban Medical Center in the Chicago suburbs. Dr DeGiovanni lives in Prairie du Sac with her husband and teenage son. She is very excited to be part of KerixHealth.

Ashley Stoecker, DO, direct primary care physician at KerixHealth, had been practicing family medicine in a traditional hospital-based practice for more than ten years prior to joining KerixHealth. She believes that the doctor-patient relationship is crucial to providing excellent care. Being a direct primary care physician allows her to focus on these relationships. She enjoys spending time and getting to know patients. She loves being able to take care of the entire family. She is passionate about educating and providing evidence-based guidance so that her patients feel empowered to make the best decisions for their care. Dr. Stoecker lives in Naperville with her husband, three kids, two dogs, one cat, and one bearded dragon, all of which keep her quite busy!

Lisa Davidoff, MD, direct primary care physician at KerixHealth, worked as a primary care physician and educator at Loyola University Medical Center prior to joining KerixHealth. As a med-peds physician, she specializes in internal medicine and pediatrics, allowing her to care for individuals and families throughout their lifespan. Doing this well requires trust, communication, and time, all of which she can prioritize as a direct primary care physician. She values human connection and believes its fundamental to providing her patients with high-quality medical care. She loves really getting to know and understand her patients and their families. To her, caring for patients goes beyond identifying and treating a diagnosis. Dr. Davidoff lives in Deerfield with her husband, two sons, and adorable dog. She enjoys swimming, hiking, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Cabot Sweeney is a board-certified Family Physician with deep roots in the Kansas City area. He earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Kansas State University, including a year abroad as an exchange student in Germany. He went on to receive his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1986. Dr. Sweeney brings a unique blend of clinical experience and global service to his medical practice. He spent over nine years living and working in Tanzania, East Africa, serving as a missionary physician. From 2006 to 2024, he practiced full-time and was a certified Family Physician at Lees Summit Family Care in Lees Summit, Missouri. Excited to begin a role with KerixHealth, Dr. Sweeney remains passionate about providing patient-centered, relationship-based care. Dr. Sweeney and his wife of 41 years, Betsy, are the proud parents of five children and grandparents to eight. They enjoy traveling, spending time with their growing family, reading, daily time with God, and one another.

Dr. Nida Dillon graduated from Kansas City University in 2014 and completed residency at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She completed both the Integrative Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine tracks during residency. Integrative medicine is a holistic approach that considers all factors that influence health; including body, mind, spirit and community. This approach combines conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary treatments. Dr. Dillon enjoys identifying the root causes of disease and her goal is to empower her patients with the knowledge they need to live healthier, happier lives. She believes that Finding health should be the object of the doctor. Anyone can find disease. Prior to medical school, she worked as a Paramedic and Firefighter and spent several years teaching in the Emergency Medicine Services program at Johnson County Community College. She attended the University of Kansas (go Jayhawks!) and obtained her Bachelor's in Education in Exercise Science/Sports Medicine. She is currently working on her Master's in International Health and advancing her training in Obesity Medicine. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in medicine. Going through her own personal health struggles she appreciates the work needed to overcome difficult health challenges. Her EMS career ended after a severe accident where she was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on the interstate. She leaned on her faith, family and great medical care during her recovery. After the pandemic she made her own health a priority again and lost over 60 pounds on her health journey. She looks forward to partnering with her patients on their own path to wellness. In her free time, she and her husband Jack, a firefighter, seek out adventure and travelling with their two young kids. Together they enjoy Jeep trail adventures, family road trips and they are Disney enthusiasts. They are busy with kids activities and active in church. Dr. Dillon is passionate about medical missions and has served on short-term missions in Haiti, Kenya, Mexico, Costa Rica and the Gulf Coast post-Hurricane Katrina. She hopes to serve with her family in the near future. Dr. Dillon is excited about her transition into the Direct Primary Care model of medicine because she will finally be able to spend the time with her patients that they deserve. One of the most rewarding things in her career is establishing relationships with her patients over the years and she considers her patients her extended family.

Dr. Rebekah Abbott is board-certified in Family Medicine. She graduated from Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2013. After completing her family medicine residency in Chicago, she returned to Kansas City in 2016 and has been providing compassionate care to patients of all ages since. Dr. Abbott takes a comprehensive and patient-centered collaborative approach to health, focusing on preventative care, chronic disease management, and empowering individuals to achieve their best possible well-being. In addition, Dr. Abbott has a special interest in building lasting relationships with patients and caring for multiple generations within the same family and communities, fostering a sense of continuity and trust in their healthcare journey. Patients appreciate Dr. Abbott's thoughtful communication, attention to detail, and commitment to partnering with them for their long-term health. When not caring for patients, Dr. Abbott enjoys spending time with her husband and their two young children, exploring life's adventures together. She shares a love for gardening and the outdoors with her husband, a professional landscaper, and can often be found nurturing her plants or spending time in the garden. She cherishes creating meaningful moments and values both everyday joys and new opportunities to connect with her family and community.

Dr. Monica Fudala, direct primary care physician at KerixHealth, practiced family medicine for years in a spectrum of healthcare models before deciding to join KerixHealth. Her background in academia (as a former Assistant Professor at Northwestern University and core faculty for the University of Chicago family medicine residency) has cemented her interest in evidence-based medicine and teaching at all levels. She believes in educating and empowering patients to make decisions that are in their best health interest. Dr. Fudala feels patients know their bodies best, making the physicians most important job to listen well. She believes the physician-patient relationship is crucial in setting and achieving ones healthcare goals. Through direct primary care, she's able to provide exceptional care, practicing medicine the way it is supposed to be. Dr. Fudala has experience managing complex medical cases in her previous role as Director of Inpatient Family Medicine where she worked in hospital medicine. As a former medical director for an outpatient value-based healthcare organization, she developed a keen insight into how preventive medicine not only facilitated cost savings but also led to happier and healthier patients. She has extensive experience managing complex conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, and so on, and is most interested in nutrition counseling and weight loss. Dr. Fudala speaks fluent Polish and conversational French and is an avid runner and yogi. In her spare time, she enjoys ballroom dancing and spending time with her husband and two boys.

Born and raised in Orlando, FL. Dr. Hemkes left Florida to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with Distinction with a BS Biology minor in Chemistry in 2002. She went on to attend medical school at the the University of South Florida in Tampa graduating in 2006. Then Dr. Hemkes returned to North Carolina to attend one of the top Family Medicine residency programs at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, NC, completing residency in 2009. For the first ten years of her practice, Dr Hemkes gained experience in a diversity of roles and settings. She has worked in Emergency departments, in the inpatient setting as a hospitalist , and outpatient clinics as a traditional Family medicine doctor. Dr. Hemkes has worked in urban settings such as inner city Chicago and also in settings as remote as rural Alaska. She believes that this diversity of experiences has improved her skills and knowledge but also allowed her to become a more empathetic healer. After being an employed doctor for 10 years, she was excited to find a different model of care called “Direct Primary care”. Dr. Hemkes believes that DPC empowers the physician and the patient . She will advocate for your health as if you were a member of her family. Everyone deserves a healthcare advocate.

Dr Aughey was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids WI. Attended UW Stevens Point for his undergraduate degree, graduating with a BS in Chemistry. After working a few years in the private sector, he returned to medical school and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison Medical School in 1993. Dr Aughey went on to complete his residency training at the Family Medicine Department of Wake Forest University in Winston Salem NC and graduated as Chief Resident in 1996. He decided to move back to Wisconsin, so him and his wife Barb moved to Sun Prairie, WI where he joined SSM Health Dean Medical Group . He has spent the last 20+ years practicing broad spectrum Family Medicine. He is excited to bring these years of experience to AdvocateMD. Dr Aughey believes the patient-doctor relationship is as important as the medicine itself, in providing high quality care. Dr Aughey lives with his wife Barb (an RN) in Sun Prairie. They have three adult children – including a daughter in Medical School. He enjoys many outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing) and traveling with his family.

Dr Karen Shulman was born in upstate New York , but raised from a young age in Southern Ontario. She attended the University of Waterloo, studying Kinesiology and then went on to Medical School at Western University in London, Ontario. She completed her Family Medicine Residency in London before starting her career as a physician in the United States. Dr Shulman worked for 3 years in Western Massachusetts before moving to Marshfield Wisconsin to work at Marshfield Clinic. She has worked as a Family doctor in a rural clinic in Stratford, Wisconsin for over 20 years. More recently she also took over an Administrative role as Medical Director of Adult Primary Care for Marshfield Clinic Health system. Now Dr Shulman is really looking forward returning to her true passion of providing comprehensive primary care to a variety of different patients and different medical conditions. While Dr Shulman is new to Madison, she is excited to be living closer to her 2 sons who are already in Madison. Her daughter is not far way in LaCrosse. Dr Shulman and her husband Doug enjoy cycling, hiking, diving, and traveling when they have time.

Founder and Chief Medical Officer of ImagineMD, now KerixHealth, Alex Lickerman, direct primary care physician, spent the first 20 years of his career as a leader at one of the top academic medical centers in the world, the University of Chicago, where he ran primary care for seven years and taught generations of today’s leaders in medicine. There he enjoyed a reputation as “a doctor’s doctor,” caring for many physicians who are themselves today considered leaders in their fields. He is a master clinician, routinely diagnosing medical problems that leave other doctors puzzled. A nationally recognized speaker on the topic of resilience, his book, The Undefeated Mind: On the Science of Constructing an Indestructible Self, details evidence-based steps one can take to increase resilience and formed the basis of the landmark Resilience Project, which he created while at the University of Chicago. His second book, The Ten Worlds: The New Psychology of Happiness, details an entirely new psychological paradigm that explains how it’s possible to achieve a kind of happiness that can’t be destroyed by anything. Living by medicine’s most famous aphorism, “The secret of the care of the patient lies in caring for the patient,” he counts his tenacity in designing preventive care interventions, managing acute and chronic disease, and making the right diagnoses as his greatest strengths. Dr. Lickerman lives in Chicago with his wife and son. He counts exercising, reading, writing, and lively conversation among his favorite pastimes. FUN FACT: Dr. Lickerman wrote a television pilot called Sessions that was optioned by DreamWorks Television, as well as several movie screenplays, including an adaptation of Milton’s Paradise Lost.

Hira Hussain, MD, direct primary care physician at KerixHealth, is a board-certified family medicine physician with three years of specialized experience in treating patients of all ages with an evidence-based approach. She enjoys improving patient health and wellness. She lives in Chicago with her husband and one-year-old son, who keeps her very busy! Outside work, she enjoys traveling, baking, and spending quality time with her family and friends.