Providers

At NeighborHealth Center, our patients are our number one priority. Our providers and nursing staff adhere to the most current healthcare guidelines so we can offer you the highest quality of care.

Family Medicine & Pediatrics

Matt Oettinger, MD, MBA

Chief Medical Officer

Matt Oettinger, MD, MBA, is the Chief Medical Officer at NeighborHealth Center. Since completing his training in Family Medicine at UNC, he has practiced primary care and inpatient medicine and has led teams at both health plans and health technology startups. Before joining NeighborHealth Center, Dr. Oettinger served as Chief Medical Officer at CopilotIQ, a provider of high-frequency connected care for seniors with chronic disease. Earlier, he served as Vice President of Population Health at WellCare of North Carolina, launched a care management program at Grand Rounds Health, and led Clinical Operations at Alignment Health. Dr. Oettinger is currently an Adjunct Instructor of Family Medicine at UNC and works as a hospitalist at Chatham Hospital in Siler City. He volunteers as a provider and board member at Samaritan Health Center in Durham. His career across both payers and providers has centered on serving people in need, and he is grateful for the opportunity to bring that experience to NeighborHealth Center — caring for patients from around the world in service of the mission of serving Christ by loving our neighbors through excellent, compassionate, and accessible health care. Dr. Oettinger lives in Raleigh with his wife, Tiffany, and their daughters, Zoe and Annalise. They attend Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary.

Michelle Barlow, MD

Physician

Michelle Barlow, MD, has been committed to primary care and access to good health care for all communities since her earliest days in medicine. She earned her medical degree at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and completed her family medicine residency in Lawrence, Massachusetts. After practicing briefly in the United States, she spent a year learning French and has served for the past six years at a mission hospital on the edge of the desert in rural Niger, West Africa. Dr. Barlow will be caring for patients at NeighborHealth Center part-time before she begins work on a new hospital project in Guinea.

Laura Ekka, MD

Physician

Laura Ekka, MD, is a dual board-certified Internal Medicine and Pediatrics physician at NeighborHealth Center. She completed her combined Internal Medicine–Pediatrics residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her medical degree at the University of Virginia. Dr. Ekka has practiced primary care for nearly 12 years at WakeMed in Garner. Her approach focuses on understanding each patient's God-given strengths and goals. She uses exercise, nutrition, hydration, stress management, and medication as tools for lasting lifestyle change. Dr. Ekka is passionate about helping people understand their own patterns of thought and behavior. She also runs a consulting practice for people with autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental differences. In her free time, Dr. Ekka enjoys spending time with her husband and children. The family travels to visit extended family in India and values the rich cultural experiences those trips bring. The love and grace of Christ are at the center of their family life, and they have been members of The Summit Church since moving to the Triangle in 2010.

Winston Yap, MD

Physician

Winston Yap, MD, earned his undergraduate degree at Oklahoma State University and attended medical school in Alberta, Canada. Dr. Yap has four grown sons and one grandson, who he says is the apple of his eye.

Ahkiya L. Allen, DO

Family Medicine Physician

Ahkiya L. Allen, DO, grew up in Cumberland, Virginia, a small rural community that helped shape her commitment to accessible, patient-centered health care. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology and Physiology, with a minor in Critical Disability Studies, from Purdue University, and her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Virginia Campus. She completed her Family Medicine residency at Lehigh Valley Family Medicine in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Allen's clinical interests include street medicine, addiction medicine, women's health, and lifestyle medicine. She is committed to serving underserved and vulnerable populations and addressing the social determinants of health that affect patient well-being. During residency, she completed the Street Medicine Track, building a lasting commitment to caring for people experiencing homelessness and others facing barriers to care. Outside of medicine, Dr. Allen enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, trying new vegan restaurants, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, following sports, and playing with her dog, Jasper. She is an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys.

Betsy Joyner, PA-C

Quality Director

Betsy Joyner, PA-C, grew up in Nashville, North Carolina, and received a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from North Carolina State University. She completed her degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Elon University. Before joining NeighborHealth Center, Ms. Joyner worked in endocrinology. She believes everyone should have access to quality health care. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son.

Arjun Bhattarai, MPH, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Arjun Bhattarai, MPH, PA-C, is a physician assistant focused on primary care and building long-term relationships with patients and their families. His path into medicine began as a care coordinator in Buffalo, where a relationship with a patient facing terminal illness led him to pursue clinical training. Originally from Nepal, Mr. Bhattarai earned his bachelor's degree in public health from the University of Maryland and a Master of Public Health before completing his Physician Assistant training at the Yale School of Medicine. He has participated in global health mission work in rural Nepal, where he saw firsthand the barriers many people face in accessing care. At NeighborHealth Center, he focuses on whole-person care addressing physical, mental, and social well-being. He speaks Nepali and Hindi and lives with his wife and four children. His life mission is to serve Christ by serving the underserved through compassionate health care.

Crystal D. Campbell, DNP, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner

Crystal D. Campbell, DNP, FNP-BC, is a doctoral-prepared, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in chronic disease management, preventive care, and family wellness. She partners with patients to promote lifelong health and to help them take an active role in their own care decisions. Dr. Campbell believes exceptional health care is built on trust, education, and collaboration. She works closely with individuals and families to develop personalized treatment plans that reflect each patient's goals, values, and lifestyle.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Campbell was honored as an American Nurse Hero by the American Nurses Association. She describes the recognition as an honor and a tribute to the efforts and sacrifices nurses made throughout the COVID response. Outside of work, Dr. Campbell enjoys cooking, reading, camping and backpacking, cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers, and spending time with her family.

Grace Garach, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Grace Garach, PA-C, grew up in Clinton, North Carolina, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She worked as a medical assistant in orthopedics before completing her degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Duke University.

A summer mission trip to Thailand during college fueled her interest in other cultures and her desire to reflect Christ through service. Ms. Garach is committed to providing quality health care to every patient at NeighborHealth Center.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, and baking cookies.

Holly Hempfling, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner

Holly Hempfling, FNP-BC, is originally from Williamson, Georgia, and recently moved with her family to North Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Armstrong State University in Savannah and her Master of Science in Nursing from Columbus State University, both in Georgia. Ms. Hempfling worked as a nurse for eight years, primarily in the emergency department, before becoming a nurse practitioner. It was there that she developed a desire to serve patients with limited access to care and resources. She continued that work as a nurse practitioner at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Georgia for three years before joining NeighborHealth Center. She focuses on understanding each patient's individual needs and circumstances, working with them to improve their health and well-being, and treating every patient with the compassion of Christ. She lives in Durham with her husband, Chris, and their three children. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hiking, and reading.

Emily King, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Emily King, PA-C, has built a broad foundation in health care through both personal and professional experience. She earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, with minors in Biological Sciences and Mathematics, from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, and a Master of Science in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry/Medicinal Sciences from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Her most rewarding work has been in primary care, where she has witnessed the growth and recovery of long-term patients. Ms. King brings warmth and compassion to the patient-provider relationship, taking into account the individual needs of each person she cares for.

Rachel Lehman, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner

Rachel Lehman, FNP-BC, joined NeighborHealth Center in 2019. She received her undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and, in 1999, completed her master's in nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. While at Vanderbilt, she was awarded a National Health Service Corps scholarship and went on to serve at a network of rural health clinics in Iowa. Over the last 20 years, Ms. Lehman has worked in a range of health care settings including family practice, pediatric pulmonology, community health, Health Care for the Homeless, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. With her husband and two children, she also spent seven years in Southeast Asia working to improve access to high-quality medical care. She values compassion, empathy, teamwork, and whole-person care, and believes every person should have access to affordable, quality health care. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and running.

Philip Price, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner

Philip Price, FNP-BC, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who grew up in nearby Raleigh. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Western Carolina University. His training and work experience span rural and inner-city settings, and his years in emergency medicine gave him an appreciation for preventive care and a supportive medical home. Mr. Price has traveled for education and medical missions to India, Jamaica, Mexico, and Europe, experiences that shaped his understanding of the people he serves. In his free time, you'll likely find him walking with his family, working on a construction project with his sons, or spending time with friends.

Lia Davis Pritt, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Lia Davis Pritt, PA-C, is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science before completing her degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Butler University. Ms. Pritt's interest in medicine grew after a medical mission trip to Guatemala in high school, and she returned to that work during PA school with a second trip to the Dominican Republic in 2024. She is committed to providing quality, compassionate care to every patient. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dog, baking, traveling, exploring the outdoors, and crafting.

Yaying Wang, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Yaying Wang, PA-C, received her undergraduate degree from Emory University and completed Duke University's Physician Assistant Program in Durham, North Carolina, where she met her husband. Before joining NeighborHealth Center, Ms. Wang worked in urgent care. She is committed to helping patients navigate a complex health care system and to making sure they can access good care. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and traveling.

Women's Health and Prenatal Care

Martha Carlough, MD, MPH

Physician Consultant

Martha Carlough, MD, MPH, is a family physician with additional training in both the clinical and public health aspects of maternity care, and more than thirty years of experience in global health, including a decade in medical missions in Nepal. Dr. Carlough has lived in Durham, North Carolina, for the last twenty years and is Professor Emeritus at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she worked in both the Department of Family Medicine and the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She is now consultant faculty in the Theology, Medicine and Culture Initiative at Duke Divinity School and serves part-time as Community Health Director and staff physician at Samaritan Health Center in Durham. Her part-time role at NeighborHealth Center brings together her love of maternity care and her desire to serve in the name of Christ. In her free time, Dr. Carlough enjoys being part of her church community, hosting friends to cook together, exploring woodsy walks, and reading and writing poetry.

John Thorp Jr., MD, MSCS

OB/GYN Consultant

John Thorp Jr., MD, MSCS, is the McAllister Distinguished Professor of General Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Midwifery; Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology; and Professor of Maternal and Child Health in the UNC Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. He serves as the OB/GYN Consultant with NeighborHealth Center. A native North Carolinian, Dr. Thorp began his OB/GYN residency at UNC in 1983 and has worked there since. His clinical focus is preterm birth, perinatal substance use, and office gynecology. His research has contributed to advances including limited use of episiotomy, progesterone to prevent recurrent preterm birth, magnesium for neuroprotection, and the timing of labor induction. Dr. Thorp earned his Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1979, his Doctor of Medicine from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in 1983, and his Master of Science in Clinical Leadership from Duke University in 2005. He recently completed a certificate program in Theology, Medicine, and Culture at Duke Divinity School. He is board certified in Preventive Medicine–Addiction, Maternal Fetal Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology.

LaVonne Colasuonno, DNP, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner

LaVonne Colasuonno, DNP, FNP-BC, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in pediatrics and maternal-child health. Originally from Denver, Colorado, and raised along the Jersey Shore, Dr. Colasuonno has dedicated her career to caring for women and families with compassion, clinical excellence, and a deep commitment to wellness.

She spent five years as a Women's Health provider in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where she developed a strong connection to the culture, community, and island life. Her time there strengthened her dedication to delivering personalized, culturally- sensitive care.

Dr. Colasuonno earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New Jersey City University in 2016 and her Master of Science in Nursing from Monmouth University in 2019. In 2024, she completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Wilmington University.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Colasuonno enjoys spending time with her husband, James, and their daughter, Gemma. She stays active with running, weightlifting, paddle boarding, and hiking, and finds joy in crocheting, reading, cooking, and music.

Cheryl DeFrank, ANP, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner

Cheryl Herndon DeFrank, ANP, FNP-BC, is a Raleigh native who joined NeighborHealth Center in October 2023. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. Later in her career, she completed a post-master's Family Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Cincinnati. Before coming to NeighborHealth Center, Ms. DeFrank spent 23 years as a Nurse Practitioner in Oxford, North Carolina, providing primary and OB/GYN care to women in all stages of life. There she developed her core belief that personalized, equitable, and compassionate care in a supportive environment produces the best health outcomes. Ms. DeFrank's special interests include contraceptive counseling, STI prevention and treatment, cervical and breast cancer screening, treatment of menstrual irregularities, pelvic pain, and menopause symptom management. She is a dedicated advocate for her patients and their families. In her free time, she enjoys time with family and friends, traveling to the beach and mountains, reading, and, when she's lucky enough, roller skating with her three children.

Behavioral Health

Justin Oyler, LCSW

Behavioral Health Manager

Justin Oyler, LCSW, joined NeighborHealth Center in December 2025 as the Integrated Behavioral Health Program Manager. He previously served as Vice President of Behavioral Health & Clinical Services for the North Carolina Community Health Center Association, and his experience spans pre-hospital and emergency department care, outpatient clinics, program development, and quality and value-based programs for payers and health networks. Originally from California, Mr. Oyler moved to North Carolina in 2023. He earned a Master of Social Work and Business from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Social Work from Azusa Pacific University. He chose NeighborHealth Center because of the way the mission is lived across the staff. He and his family enjoy the outdoors — hiking, camping, mountain biking, and playing golf.

Meagan Martin, MS, LMFT

Behavioral Health Clinician

Meagan Martin, MS, LMFT, joined NeighborHealth Center in January 2021. As a military kid she grew up with several hometowns, and she has called North Carolina home for nearly ten years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a pre-counseling concentration in 2014 and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Carolina University in 2017. Ms. Martin's work experience includes rural health clinics, where she found her focus in integrating behavioral health care into the primary care setting. She is committed to making behavioral health services easy to access, in a way that involves the patient and supports whole-person health. In her free time, she enjoys reading at the beach or in the mountains with her husband.

Julia Raughley, LCSWA

Behavioral Health Clinician

Julia Raughley, LCSWA, joined NeighborHealth Center in June 2026. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate from Cary, North Carolina, she earned bachelor degrees in Family & Child Sciences and Recreation Management. After working with a teen wilderness leadership development program in Colorado, Ms. Raughley pursued a Master of Social Work at Appalachian State University. Her work has focused on expanding access to higher education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and on family-centered care in a pediatric oncology setting at Brenner Children's Hospital, Wake Forest Baptist. Ms. Raughley is committed to accessible, person-centered care and values an approach that recognizes each person's strengths, experiences, and goals. She enjoys being outdoors with friends and family, running, swimming, traveling, trying new recipes, and any opportunity to be creative.

Lazayrea Smith, LCSWA

Behavioral Health Clinician

Lazayrea Smith, LCSW-A, earned both her Bachelor of Social Work and her Master of Social Work at North Carolina Central University. Her social work experience includes community outreach and response with underserved communities, as well as supporting patients in an outpatient medical setting. Ms. Smith believes in meeting people where they are. She works to create a space where people feel heard, valued, and supported throughout their care, and she chose social work for the chance to walk with people through different seasons of life. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her daughter.

Pharmacy

Jasmine Jackson, PharmD, MHS

Pharmacy Manager

Jasmine Jackson, PharmD, MHS, is a distinguished Pharmacy Manager with over 15 years of comprehensive experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. She is a dedicated leader committed to clinical excellence, operational efficiency, and superior patient care.

Jasmine’s passion for pharmacy began during her time as a pharmacy technician and while serving on a medical mission trip for the Foundation of International Medical Relief for Children. Driven by a desire to improve community health, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Middle Tennessee State University, followed by a Master of Health Science from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. While completing her Master’s degree, she honed her leadership skills as a project manager for the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). Jasmine then earned both her Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degrees from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Throughout her career, Jasmine has focused on bridging the gap between complex transitions of care, patient accessibility, and medication affordability. Her work is defined by an unwavering commitment to medication safety and patient well-being.

Outside of her professional life, Jasmine was born and raised in Covington, TN. She loves traveling with her husband and spending time with her family. She has two daughters and enjoys staying actively involved in their activities and education.

Nutrition Services

Lavanya Kethamukkala, RDN, CLT, LDN

Registered Dietitian

Lavanya Kethamukkala, RDN, CLT, LDN, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with more than 18 years of experience as a clinical dietitian across inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care settings. She has also completed specialized training in adverse food reactions. Ms. Kethamukkala is a Certified LEAP Therapist, with training in managing the dietary aspects of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and migraine, where food sensitivities are often significant contributors. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and crafting, and is known for experimenting with vegetarian recipes. She has led numerous cooking demonstrations and lessons, and volunteers at regional events promoting health and wellness. She lives in Apex, North Carolina, with her husband and two sons.

Providers

Family Medicine & Pediatrics

Matt Oettinger, MD, MBA

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Michelle Barlow, MD

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Laura Ekka, MD

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Winston Yap, MD

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Ahkiya L. Allen, DO

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Betsy Joyner, PA-C

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Arjun Bhattarai, MPH, PA-C

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Crystal D. Campbell, DNP, FNP-BC

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Grace Garach, PA-C

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Holly Hempfling, FNP-BC

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Emily King, PA-C

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Rachel Lehman, FNP-BC

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Philip Price, FNP-BC

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Lia Davis Pritt, PA-C

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Yaying Wang, PA-C

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Women's Health and Prenatal Care

Martha Carlough, MD, MPH

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John Thorp Jr., MD, MSCS

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LaVonne Colasuonno, DNP, FNP-BC

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Cheryl DeFrank, ANP, FNP-BC

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Behavioral Health

Justin Oyler, LCSW

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Meagan Martin, MS, LMFT

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Julia Raughley, LCSWA

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Lazayrea Smith, LCSWA

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Pharmacy

Jasmine Jackson, PharmD, MHS

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Nutrition Services

Lavanya Kethamukkala, RDN, CLT, LDN

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