Pediatric Providers
Sadiya Asif, MD
Dr. Sadiya Asif has been a provider at THCC since 1997. Dr. Asif completed her medical school training at Mysore Medical College. She finished her residency training at the Metropolitan Hospital in New York and worked for the Winton Hills Medical Center prior to joining THCC. She currently sees patients at our Lincoln Heights Health Center. Her objective in medicine is to consider the whole patient, and to achieve a patient-driven, physician-directed model with an emphasis in preventative medicine.
Mercy Brew, MD
Dr. Mercy Brew has been a provider at THCC since 2013. She is board-certified in Pediatrics. Dr. Brew completed her medical school training at the University of Ghana Medical School. She finished her residency training at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and worked for the Kingsbrook Jewish Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, prior to joining THCC. She currently sees patients at our Mt. Healthy Family Practice. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and has researched and published articles with the AAP.
Casey Moothart, MD
Dr. Casey Moothart joined THCC in February 2012. Dr. Moothart is board-certified in both Pediatrics and Internal Medicine and received his medical degree with high distinction in 2003 from Wayne State University School of Medicine. He attended the University of California for his combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics residency and graduated in 2007. Prior to joining THCC, Dr. Moothart provided services at Neighborhood Health Care here in Cincinnati. Dr. Moothart currently sees patients at our Lincoln Heights Health Center, Mt. Healthy Family Practice and Viking School-Based Health Center.
Elena Roach, PNP
Elena Roach, PNP, is board-certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She received her education at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, where she was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Nursing Honor Society. Prior to joining THCC, Roach worked for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Hematology and Oncology. She is also a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Roach currently sees patients at our Mt. Healthy Family Practice.
Daniel Whalen, MD
Dr. Daniel Whalen has been a provider at THCC since 2011. He is board-certified in Pediatrics and is licensed in the State of Ohio. Dr. Whalen completed his medical school training at Wayne State School of Medicine. He finished his residency training at the FF Fuller Residential Center and worked as a Residential Aide and Research Assistant. He currently sees patients at our Lincoln Heights Health Center.
Alyssa Voelkerding, PNP
Alyssa Voelkerding, PNP, is board-certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She received her education at Northern Kentucky University. Voelkerding joined THCC in 2012 and works at our Forest Park Health Center. Prior to joining THCC, Voelkerding worked for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Neurology and Neurosurgery. Alyssa is THCC’s primary provider at our Forest Park Health Center. She provides quality care for pediatric patients and their families, including education and caring for the patient at home.
Zainab Akhtar, MD
Zainab Akhtar, MD, joined THCC in the fall of 2020 as a pediatrician at our Lincoln Heights location. Dr. Akhtar is board certified in Pediatrics and has been licensed in Ohio since 2015. She received her medical degree from King Edward Medical University in Pakistan and completed her residency training from Marshall University in West Virginia. Dr. Akhtar is passionate about optimal patient care and believes in creating strong relationships with parents/caregivers while providing their children the best care..
Aileen Searles, MD
Aileen Searles, MD, became a pediatrician at THCC’s Lincoln Heights location in the fall of 2020. An Ohio native, Aileen obtained both her Bachelors in Biological Sciences and Medical degree at the University of Toledo. She completed her residency at the University of Louisiana and is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. For the past four years she has been practicing, Aileen has served as a pediatrician and medical director for FQHC in rural North Carolina and now at Lincoln Heights. She enjoys being able to serve communities that face various socioeconomic barriers to healthcare. Her main goal when practicing is to provide appropriate assessments and treatments, while providing education to patients and parents.
JoAnne DeGreg, MD
Internal Medicine Providers
Christine Colella, MSN, RN, CS, CNP
Christine Colella, MSN, RN, CS, CNP, is certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and in Surgical Nursing. She received her Nurse Practitioner certification from Northen Kentucky University and her Masters and Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati. Colella teaches courses in Clinical Nursing at the University of Cincinnati, and prior to her work with THCC she served as the Director of Ambulatory Practitioner Program, also at the University of Cincinnati.
Mary Weatherington, MD
Dr. Mary Weatherington has been a provider at THCC since 2004. She was board certified in Internal Medicine in 1995 and recertified in 2005 and is licensed in the State of Ohio. Dr. Weatherington completed her medical school training at Southern Illinois University. She finished her residency training at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and worked for the Butler County Health Department for two years and for Internists of Fairfield for six years prior to joining THCC. She currently sees patients at our Lincoln Heights Health Center.
Family Medicine Providers
Marcy Fitzgerald, MBA, MSN, CNP
Marcy Fitzgerald, MBA, MSN, CNP has joined THCC as a Family Nurse Practitioner at the Lincoln Heights Health Center. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Florida A & M University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Her past experience includes working as a Registered Nurse (ICU) and RN Case Manager (Department of Psychiatry) at University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and Nurse Practitioner for Lifeline Community Healthcare. Marcy believes that all individuals have the right to high-quality, compassionate care and feels blessed to work with a team that believes in these values and exemplifies them.
Kelly Casler, MS, FNP, BC
Kelly Casler, MS, FNP, BC is a Family Nurse Practitioner at the Lincoln Heights Health Center. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri – Columbia. She has 18 years of experience as a Nurse and more than 12 years as a Nurse Practitioner in rural and urban health settings as well as in student health. Casler enjoys working with underserved populations.
Douglas Collins, MD
Douglas Collins, MD is a Family Physician at Mt Healthy Family Practice, contracted as an Adjunct Associate Professor from University of Cincinnati Department of Family & Community Medicine. Dr. Collins has been board certified in Ohio since 2001. He received his medical degree from Wright State University, and completed his Residency and Fellowship at UC. He has worked at Mt Auburn Family Medicine Center and The Christ Hospital, multiple urgent cares, McMicken Healthcare for the Homeless, and in short- and long-term medical mission work in Guatemala and Cambodia. He is passionate about caring for the underserved of all ages and backgrounds and teaching medicine.
Anita Dohn, MD
Dr. Anita Dohn has been a provider at THCC since 2014. She is board-certified in Family Medicine and is licensed in the State of Ohio. Dr. Dohn completed her medical school training at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She finished her residency training at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Healthcare. In the 15 years prior to joining THCC, Dr. Dohn worked in the Dominican Republic as a Staff Physician and Missionary.
Travis Gries, CNP, FNP-C AANP, MSN, MSW
Travis Gries, CNP, FNP-C AANP, MSN, MSW, is a Nurse Practitioner at the Lincoln Heights Health Center. Gries has prior experience as an Emergency Room Technician, Physician’s Scribe, Mental Health Counselor and Registered Nurse in Denver for three years. He is currently a member of the Cincinnati Chapter Red Cross Disaster Team and enjoys helping out when needed.
Melissa Lucas, MD
Dr. Melissa Lucas has been a provider at THCC since 2014. She was board-certified in Family Medicine in 1995. Dr. Lucas completed her medical school training at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She finished her residency training at the Ohio State University College of Medicine and worked for Healthpoint Family Care, Inc. and Group Health Associates prior to joining THCC. She currently sees patients at our wellness locations.
Amy Palermo, CNP
Amy L. Palermo, CNP is a nurse practitioner specializing in adult-geriatric medication. She takes care of patients 12 years and older. Amy is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and previously helped patients at the Talbert House/Deaconess Health Check clinic and TriHealth/Group Health.
Amy specializes in chronic illnesses such as diabetes, anxiety/depression, dementia, hypertension, high cholesterol and asthma. She engages her patients in discussions about their diet, activity level and stress which she feels can affect their overall health.
Amy is married with two children. She loves to hike/walk outdoors, garden, cook, and spend time with her family and friends. She also loves meeting people of different backgrounds and cultures.
Amber Gentry, FNP
Amber Gentry, FNP is a nurse practitioner specializing in family nursing. Amber graduated from The Christ Hospital School of Nursing in 2004 and received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati in 2015. She received her Masters of Science in Nursing at UC in 2015, where she focused on Family Nurse Practitioner. Over the past 16 years, she has found passion in being an advocate for building solid provider-client relationships by always providing quality care. When Amber is not seeing patients, she can be found spending time with her husband and three daughters either hiking, swimming or riding bikes.
Dental Providers
Kathleen DuBose, DDS
Dr. Kathleen DuBose is a 1990 graduate of Indiana University School of Dentistry. She operated as an associate in a private practice until 1996. Beginning in 1996, Dr. DuBose operated in private practice until 2014. While in private practice she recognized individual fears of dental visits. Dr. DuBose’s goal is to ease the fear with open communication and gentle care. Because she is a mother, Dr. DuBose places strong values on family. She places honor in incorporating her nurturing into treating the entire family. Dr. DuBose’s success is attributable to her love for her profession, her holistic approach to dentistry and her drive to educate her patients. Dr. DuBose joined THCC’s Lincoln Heights Dental Department in 2014.
Lynda Roberts-Riddle, DDS
Dr. Lynda Roberts-Riddle, is a 1981 graduate of the Howard University College of Dentistry. She was an associate in a private practice in Cleveland until 1984. Beginning in 1993, Dr. Riddle practiced with the Greater Cincinnati Oral Health Council (currently know as CincySmiles Foundation). From 2000-2002 she was concurrently with CincySmiles and in private practice. In February 2002, The Greater Cincinnati Oral Health Council was contracted by The HealthCare Connection to manage their Lincoln Heights Dental Center, and Dr. Riddle joined the team. She also served as an adjunct instructor for The Ohio State Dental College from 2004-2009. In November 2009, when The Healthcare Connection embarked upon self-managing its dental program in its efforts to grow the concept of a Patient-Centered Medical Home, Dr. Riddle was named THCC's Chief Dental Officer.
Kelsey Neal, DMD
Kelsey Neal DMD, is a 2020 graduate of University of Louisville School of Dentistry. While attending Dental School, she was awarded the International College of Dentists Student Humanitarian Award and Louisville Dental Society Professionalism Award. She is excited to be able to improve patients' oral health and to promote preventative care. She enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, watching movies, and walking.
Qaiser Ahmed, DDS
Qaiser Ahmed, DDS, received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a National Health Service Corps scholar. He received his Bachelors in Biology from the University of Mary Washington, and Masters in Biology Medicine from Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. Prior to joining THCC, Dr. Ahmed worked in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania providing dental care to a wide range of patients including children. He will be working at both the Lincoln Heights and Mt. Heights locations.