Clinical Staff
HEALTH CARE YOU CAN TRUST
Sterling Area Health Center uses a team of well-qualified health care providers to provide care for a patient’s physical, dental and behavioral health care needs, including prevention and wellness, acute care and chronic care. The Center’s medical home comprises a team of providers in different levels of health professions who work together around the patient’s needs to provide comprehensive health care and health promotion. The staff exemplifies the notion of combining leadership and teamwork to provide coordinated, high-quality and comprehensive health care.
Danielle' Walsh McPherson, DO, Interim Medical Director
Dr. McPherson received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University in 1998. She completed her residency at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in 2001 and is Board Certified in Family Medicine & Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. Dr. McPherson is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American College of Osteopathic Family Phycisians, Michigan Osteopathic Association and American Medical Women's Association. Dr. McPherson is originally from the area and has been with Sterling Area Health Center for 15 years.
Bassel Ahmad, MD
Dr. Ahmad received his Medical Doctor from the Damascus University Medical School in 1993, and he completed his internal medicine residency at St. Mary’s Hospital, University of Rochester in 2002. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Society of Internal Medicine and American Medical Association. Dr. Ahmad is Board Certified and has been with Sterling Area Health Center for 18 years.
Annmarie Poleck, DO
Dr. Poleck recieved her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Philadelphia College in 1999. She completed her residency at Botsford General Hospital in 2002 and is Board Certified in Family Medicine & Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. Dr. Poleck is an Associate Professor at Michigan State School of Osteopsthic Medicine & Wayne State School of Medicine. She is a member of the American Osteopathic Association & Michigan Osteopathic Association.
Brian Kennedy, MD
Dr. Kennedy received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan in 1985. He completed his pediatric residency at the University of Michigan in 1988 and is Board Certified in Pediatrics. He has been caring for children for nearly 40 years. Dr. Kennedy enjoys helping families grow healthier.
Allison Collier McIntire, DO
Dr. Collier McIntire received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in 2020. She completed her residency at Mercy Health St. Rita's Medical Center in 2023. Dr. Collier McIntire is a member of the American College of Physicians and has been published in the Michigan Academy of Science. Dr. Collier McIntire is originally from Sterling and in her spare time enjoys hunting, fishing, shopping and spending time with her family.
Dana DeWitt, DO
Dr. DeWitt received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University in 1995. He completed his residency at Henry Ford Hospital in 1999 and is Board Certified in Family Medicine.
Cathleen Chidester, PA-C
Cathleen is a certified Physician Assistant. She recieved her Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from The University of Texas in 1992. She completed her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from The University of Nebraska in 2002. Cathleen specializes in Dermatology and is a Dermatology Physician Assistant Diplomat.
Candice DeLano, FNP-C
Candice is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the medical field. She started in the medical field as a nursing assistant in 2007. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2015 from Davenport University and her Masters of Science in Nursing in 2021 from Saginaw Valley State University. Candice is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practioners and the Michigan Council of Nurse Practioners. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids. She loves to go camping and watching her son and husband participate in demolition and figure 8 derbies.
Jessica Wilson, MSN, FNP-BC
Jessica is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practioner, completing her Nursing Degree from Kirtland College in 2000. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2005 and her Master of Science in Nursing in 2012 from Saginaw Valley State University. Jessica and has lived in this community her entire life and enjoys providing health care to the Hale community.
Ashley Conyer, MSN, FNP-BC
Ashley is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, graduating from Saginaw Valley State University with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016 and Master of Science in Nursing in 2019. She previously worked in as an RN in the Medical Surgery department in Tawas. Ashley lives in Standish with her son and practices at our Ogemaw clinic in Prescott.
Lynn A. Meyers, MSN, FNP-BC
Lynn is a Board Certificed Family Nurse Practitioner, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saginaw Valley State University in 1993, and worked 25 years as an ER nurse. In 2018, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University. Lynn was the recipient of the American Red Cross Life Saving Award in 1996.
Vivian Gallofin, MSN, FNP-BC
Vivian is a Board Certificed Family Nurse Practitioner, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saginaw Valley State University in 2008, and worked 10 years as a cardiac nurse. In 2018, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing from SVSU. Vivian is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practioners.
Whitney Jankoska, FNP-C
Whitney is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 19 years of experience in the medical field. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008 and her Master of Science in Nursing in 2013 from Saginaw Valley State University. Whitney is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practioners and the Michigan Council of Nurse Practioners. She and has lived in this community her entire life and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys.
Skylar Weirauch, PMHNP
Skylar is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He received his Master of Science in Nursing in 2023 from Herzing University. Skylar is a member of the American Psychiatric Nursing Association. Skylar practices at our Ogemaw clinic in Prescott.
Aaron Korczowski, FNP-BC
Aaron is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the medical field. He received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016 from Ferris State University and his Master of Science in Nursing in 2023 from The University of Michigan.
Chandler Knickerbocker Davis, FNP-C
Chandler is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner at our Walk-In clinic. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2017 from The University of Michigan and her Master of Science in Nursing in 2024 from Chamberlain University. Chandler is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practioners.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STAFF
Linda LaTulip, LMSW, CCS, CAADC, Director of Behavioral Health
Linda LaTulip is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She graduated from Wayne State University in 2002 with her Bachelor of Social Work and in 2004 with a Master of Social Work. Linda has earned and is recognized by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor since 2017 and as a Certified Clinical Supervisor since January 2024. Linda began working at SAHC in 2014 and became the Director of Behavioral Health in 2017.
Michael S. Ossian, DO
Dr. Ossian received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1984, completed his rotating internship from Burbank Community Hospital in 1985, and completed his psychiatry residency at Maricopa Medical Center in 1988. During his residency, he also served in the Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association. He joined Sterling Area Health Center in 1988 as a member of the National Health Service Corps and established psychiatric services at the center. He has been licensed by the Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery since 1987 and has practiced general psychiatry for nearly 40 years.
Renee' Echartea-Steckert, LMSW
Renee' is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She graduated from Central Michigan University in 2007 with her Bachelor of Applied Arts and in 2014 with her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California. Renee' has 15 years of experiance specializes in military & veterans services.
Pamela Daniels, LLMSW
Pamela is a Limited Licensed Master Social Worker. She graduated from Madonna University in 2011 with her Bachelor of Science and in 2020 with a Master of Social Work from the Saginaw Valley State University.
DENTAL STAFF
Keith W. Sleeper, DDS, Chief Dental Director
Dr. Keith Sleeper DDS is currently the Dental Director for SAHC. He grew up in the Mid-Michigan area and graduated from Gladwin High School in 1993. He attended Lake Superior State University where he majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. He then attended the The University of Michigan Dental School where he finished in the top 10 of his class and won the Comprehensive Care Award and the Richard H. Kingery Award for Removable Prosthodontics. After dental school in 2001, Dr. Sleeper began working at Sterling Area Health Center's Dental Clinic in Alger, Mi. In 2015 he became SAHC's Dental Director. Dr. Sleeper helped design and plan the dental clinics addition in 2008. He also helped lead the conversion to electronic dental records and digital xrays. Dr. Sleeper is a member of the American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, and the Saginaw Valley District Dental Association. Dr. Sleeper enjoys hunting, fishing, sports, and spending time with family. He lives in Alger with his wife and two daughters.