Providers
Over-the-RhineShirley Brook Gumm, RN, CPNP, MSN
Brook Gumm, Crossroad's Director of Pediatrics, has been a pediatric nurse for 40 years and at Crossroad for the past 20. Brook received her master’s degree in nursing administration from Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, and her nurse practitioner post-graduate education at the University of Cincinnati. She recently obtained certification as a Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist. She is a recipient of the Florence Nightingale Awards for Nursing. Brook spent three years in Guatemala as a child and is fluent in Spanish. She lived in Over-the-Rhine for 15 years and loves the neighborhood and its residents. She is married and has a young adult son and grandson. Brook has particular interests in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), asthma and in helping people get to know God. Lashandra Duncan, FNP-BC
Lashandra Duncan, MSN, FNP, obtained a BSN from the University of Cincinnati and an MSN from Indiana Wesleyan University. Lashandra is family nurse practitioner at Crossroad. She also serves as clinical adjunct for UC College of Nursing. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her four children. Lashandra is pleased to work with a faith-based organization that allows her to talk openly about the love of God. Christine furgason, MD
Dr. Christine Furgason is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended The Ohio State University for undergraduate school followed by the University of Cincinnati for medical school. She completed her residency in family medicine at The Christ Hospital in 2016, where she also served as chief resident. She is passionate about women's health and helping people meet their healthcare goals. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, young son and dog, serving in her church, cooking and traveling. Emily Haas, MD
Dr. Emily Haas is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. She received her BA in Social Anthropology from Harvard University. She started medical school at the University of Cincinnati and was introduced to Crossroad. She then transferred to the University of Mississippi, and completed her MD and Pediatric residency in Mississippi. Dr. Haas is particularly interested in the mind-body-spirit approach to medicine and early brain development. In her free time, she enjoys reading books with her young children, and running, yoga and being near water. Gregory keith, lpcc
Gregory Keith, LPCC, is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. He helps people make positive changes to improve their physical and emotional health. Christy O'Dea, MD
Dr. Christine O'Dea, Crossroad's Medical Director, is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. After spending five years in rural family medicine practice in northern Wisconsin, she moved with her family and small children to rural Honduras, where she spent two years as a volunteer family physician with the nongovernmental organization, Shoulder to Shoulder. Dr. O'Dea returned from Honduras to join the faculty at the University of Cincinnati, where she is the Director of Global Health Education in The Christ Hospital/University of Cincinnati Family Medicine Residency Program. Additionally, Dr. O'Dea is the medical director at Crossroad Health Center. She is a member of the Latino Health Collaborative, and her interests include global and underserved health and Latino health. Watch her TEDx Talk! Courtney T. Roberts, MD
Dr. Courtney Roberts joined Crossroad as a volunteer in 1995, and was one of Crossroad’s first medical providers. He graduated from Ohio State University College of Medicine, and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Roberts was drawn to Crossroad’s faith-based mission, and appreciates its dedicated, caring staff. He feels it is the ideal setting to provide health care to those most in need. His particular interests include pediatrics and diabetes care. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, cooking, reading and playing the guitar. Amber Severn, CNP
A nurse practitioner, Amber began her career at Crossroad in 2003 as a bilingual receptionist. At Crossroad, Amber was inspired by witnessing firsthand what a nurse practitioner was capable of doing. Amber completed a one-year accelerated program at the University of Cincinnati, obtaining a BSN in nursing while continuing to work part time at Crossroad. She went on to earn a master's in nursing, and received her nurse practitioner certificate in October 2008. This position combines everything she likes about medicine, including the opportunity to see and treat patients on her own. Amber has learned that Crossroad's faith-based mission plays a major role in creating a nurturing environment for patients and staff. She appreciates the deep connection among staff and their desire to do the right thing. On top of her busy schedule at Crossroad, Amber and her husband have four young children. Amy Van Milligan, MD
Dr. Amy Van Milligan joined the Crossroad medical team in October 2010. A native of Virginia Beach, Amy obtained her medical degree at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. She then completed a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Virginia University Hospital, and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Van Milligan was drawn to Crossroad by the opportunity to minister to others and to provide health care to those who might otherwise not receive care. She is pleased to work with others who are passionately following God in their profession. In her free time, Dr. Van Milligan is helping to start a low-cost medical clinic in North College Hill. She has also traveled to Kenya to provide care to children at the Missions of Hope International School in Kosovo, a crowded and impoverished suburb of Nairobi. Dr. Van Milligan and her husband enjoy traveling, camping and seeking out unusual ice cream stands. Susan Wiley, MD
Dr. Susan Wiley, began volunteering at Crossroad in 1993, while she was a medical student at University of Cincinnati. She continued volunteering at Crossroad when she was Chief Resident at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and while completing a fellowship at the Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders. Dr. Wiley continues to spend every Friday afternoon serving pediatric patients at Crossroad. In 2009, Dr. Wiley received the Jefferson Award from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for her volunteer work at Crossroad. The Jefferson Awards were established in 1972 by former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and former U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. to be a “Nobel Prize” for public and community service. Dr. Wiley also donates her services twice yearly for Teseros de Dios, a program in Nicaragua that serves children with severe disabilities. An adjunct faculty member in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Dr. Wiley’s expertise in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics is invaluable to our Crossroad staff and patients. |
WestBrittany Almaraz, MD
Dr. Brittany Almaraz joined Crossroad Health Center in October 2017 as a family practice physician. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in biology and Latin American studies, with a minor in Spanish, at Miami University of Ohio, and graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Her residency training was completed through the Christ Hospital/University of Cincinnati Family Medicine residency program. During her training, she volunteered at Crossroad, and served on medical missions to Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Dr. Almaraz is driven by a belief that all people should have access to high quality health care, and by a desire to promote health and well-being in all areas of life. Fluent in Spanish, she is especially passionate about immigrant health, women’s health, and care for the entire family. Debbi Borchers, MD
A Northern Kentucky native, Dr. Debbi Borchers has been part of the Crossroad team since December 2009. Dr. Borchers trained at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, with residency at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. She also completed a year of fellowship in developmental disabilities, with a strong interest in children with special needs. Dr. Borchers' particular area of interests include children who joined their family through adoption, foster care and kinship care, as well as enjoying the special relationships with young families as they grow. She is a columnist and advisory board member for Adoptive Families magazine. Dr. Borchers is delighted to work in a setting where she can share her strong Christian faith through prayer and supporting families in crisis. The team atmosphere at the Crossroad Pediatrics West office has been so important to her as the office has grown. In addition to working as a pediatrician, Dr. Borchers is the single mother of three daughters, all born in China. Amber Day, md
Dr. Amber Day joined Crossroad Health Center in October 2017 as a pediatric physician. She grew up in Northeast Ohio and received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Xavier University here in Cincinnati. She received her medical degree from The Ohio State University, although she remains a Musketeer at heart! She completed her intern year at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland and her residency at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Dr. Day has served in mission trips to Jamaica, Trinidad, and Kenya. She led a parent education group and healthy cooking class during her training. Dr. Day believes that healthy children come from healthy families and strives to address the physical, mental and spiritual health of all her patients and their families. She enjoys helping families achieve the best version of their health through mindful eating and positive, strong relationships. An active member of her church, Dr. Day and her husband love spending time with their baby daughter, Greta, and watching her grow. Cyndi DeLaat, MD
A native of Cleveland, Dr. Cyndi DeLaat joined the Crossroad staff in April 2011. Dr. DeLaat trained at the University of Cincinnati Medical School, followed by a pediatric residency and fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. After 17 years on the faculty and as attending physician at Children’s in hematology-oncology, she returned to hands-on pediatric care at BMF Pediatrics, attracted in part by the opportunity to work with Hispanic patients and their families. Cyndi’s passion to serve has inspired her to undertake several medical mission trips to Guatemala, Honduras and Nigeria. Dr. DeLaat is delighted to be part of the Crossroad team. She finds it a perfect fit with her desire to use her God-given gifts as a physician to serve God and his people. Cyndi is dedicated to providing quality, compassionate care in a setting where prayer and serving others as Jesus did are practiced every day. Valerie Smith-MBAKE, RN, CNP
Valerie Smith-Mbake holds a master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner from Walden University. Previously, she worked with adults as a cardiovascular ICU nurse, and as an RN supervisor at an extended care facility. Today, Valerie is happy to fulfill a lifelong dream of working in pediatrics at Crossroad. A native Mississippian, she went to health centers similar to Crossroad as a child, and has always wanted to give back by working in an underserved community. Married with a young son, Valerie enjoys spending time with her family and dog, Taco. HarrisonHillary Chang, MD
Dr. Hillary Chang joined the Crossroad team in January 2016. She attended medical school and completed her pediatrics residency in Cincinnati in 2010. After residency, she spent a year working as clinical staff at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Emergency Department before moving to a small town in rural Indonesia, where she lived with her husband and kids for three years. Dr. Chang is a proud mom to two spirited kids who have taught her a great deal about medicine and parenting. They continue to encourage her to draw more pictures, read more stories, play more basketball and to pray in earnest for God to do big things around the world. Dr. Chang is passionate about building mental wellness and improving nutrition in her patients. Rita Girard, MD
Rita Girard, MD, joined Crossroad Health Center in August 2017. She completed her Bachelor of Science in biology and psychology at Michigan State University. Her medical degree was awarded at University of Michigan. After serving as Chief Resident at the University of Cincinnati Family Practice Residency, Dr. Girard remained on as faculty at UC. She has served in medical missions to Honduras and also completed an internship at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Dr. Girard took an 18-year hiatus from full-time clinical practice to serve as a volunteer provider at Healthy Beginnings, a prenatal clinic for underserved women. During that time, she raised her family of four children. She returned to the UC faculty in 2013 as Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Maternity Services. She is driven by a passion for community wellness and health, especially women’s health and natural family planning. “I am a ‘connector.' As a family physician, I witness our connectedness and interdependence on one another as human beings,” Dr. Girard says. “We are all part of the bigger picture and created by God for a unique purpose.” Margaret L. Lee, MD
Dr. Peggy Lee received her undergraduate training at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Then, she moved to Columbus for medical school at The Ohio State University and residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital. Dr. Lee felt a calling toward family medicine after working at another faith-based health center in Columbus. During her time off, Dr. Lee enjoys spending time with her family and friends and her two dogs, volunteering at church and watching and playing sports. Hong Wilson, MD
Dr. Hong Wilson graduated from medical school at Tongji University in China. She completed her pediatric resident program at Wright State University/Dayton Children’s Hospital. Dr. Wilson has been caring for the underserved community as a pediatrician more than a decade, and looks forward to serving her patients for many years to come. She is passionate about witnessing the love of her savior, Jesus Christ, and enjoys reading the bible. Dr. Hong and her husband have two children, and enjoy hiking together. Rothenberg Preparatory Academy
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