Women's Healthcare Associates

About the Staff & Physicians

• Stephanie Allen

  Physician

  Dr. Stephanie Allen received her medical degree from The James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. Her postgraduate work in Obstetrics and Gynecology was completed at Bethesda Hospital in Cincinnati Ohio. Dr. Allen is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is currently serving as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Mary's Hospital. Dr. Allen has a special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. She is married and has three very busy children.

• Andrew Leach

  Physician

  Dr. Andrew Leach attended medical school at The University of Alabama in Birmingham after completing undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University and The University of Alabama. He completed his residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at The University of Tennessee in Memphis where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Leach is Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and annually maintains his certification. He is also a Fellow of The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. He attends frequent continuing medical education conferences and keeps up to date with the latest advances in his field. He recently served as Chief of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Athens Regional Medical Center. Dr. Leach is married and has three sons.

• Sarah Carey

  Certified Physician Assistant

  Sarah Carey is a certified Physician Assistant. She graduated cum laude for Allegheny College with a Bachelor of Biology degree in 2000, then went on to attend Arcadia University in Philadelphia, where she earned a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree. Sarah is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Georgia Academy of Physician Assistants. She practiced in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics for five years before coming to work at Women's Healthcare Associates in 2006. Sarah lives in Athens with her husband and two sons.

• Meredith Turner

  Certified Nurse Midwife

  Meredith Turner has provided midwifery care since 2006. After earning a Ph.D in Biology from Texas A&M University, she attended the Yale School of Nursing where she received a Masters in Nursing with a spcialty in Nurse-Midwifery. In Athens, she has taught courses in Anatomy and Physiology and in Reproductive Biology at the University of Georgia. Meredith joined the practice in 2009. She is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives.
  Meredith's experience with midwifery care during the birth of her son spurred her to change career paths, from scientific research to women's healthcare. Her practice marries the evidence-based approach of a scientist with the patient philosophy of traditional midwifery. In addition to caring for pregnant women and their families, Meredith also provides gynecological exams, birth control consultations, and menopausal management.
  Meredith has been married to her high-school sweetheart, Christian, since 1992. Christian is an assistant professor at the University of Georgia School of Law. They have two children Rigel and Abney, and live in the Five Points neighborhood in Athens, In her spare time, Meredith likes to read and watch movies.

• Anika Phillips

  CNM

  Anika Schulte Phillips is originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota. She began her southward migration for her undergraduate studies at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During her nursing education, she obtained obstetric experience while working on the Mother/Baby unit at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. After completing her nursing degree, she relocated to Nashville, Tennessee where she earned a Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University with dual board certification as a Family Nurse Paractitioner and as a Certified Nurse-Midwife. Anika was happy to complete her southward migration in the summer of 2010 when she joined Women's Healthcare Associates. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She loves being marred, being a midwife, cooking, traveling, afternoon tea, and laughing at the antics of her goldendoodle.

• Paula Briscoe

  Triage Nurse

  Paula Briscoe is our phone triage and infertility nurse. She has 25 years nursing experience with a degree from North Georgia College. She is married with two children and lives in Commerce.

• Donna Hamby

  Clinical Director

  Donna Hamby is our surgery scheduler and clinical director. She has 25 years nursing experience with a degree from Athens Technical College. She is married with two children and lives in the Athens area.

• Alyson Mathis

  Sonographer

  Allie graduated from Athens Technical College in 2003 and 2004. She is registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Allie is certified in Abdominal and Small Parts, Breast and Obstetrical and Gynecological ultrasound specialties.
  Allie is married with one daughter and twin sons. Allie and her family live in Hull.

• Cheryl Locke

  Practice Administrator

  Cheryl Locke graduated from Kean College of New Jersey with a bachelor's degree in Medical Record Administration. She is also a certified coder for hospitals and physician offices and a member of the American Health Information Management Association as well as the Georgia Medical Group Management Association.
  Cheryl has been at Women's Healthcare Associates since 2003. Cheryl is married and lives in Hoschton.