An asterisk (*) next to a provider’s name indicates a Spanish-speaking provider.

At VIP Children’s Clinics our physicians are all board-certified pediatricians. Why is this important? Board certification demonstrates a physician’s exceptional expertise in pediatric medicine that involves a rigorous process of testing and peer evaluation. Therefore, our pediatricians offer superior healthcare to infants, children and teens that encompasses a broad spectrum, ranging from preventive care to the diagnosis and treatment of acute health issues. And because our top priority is your child’s health, we provide unparalleled access for their care, from extended weekday and weekend hours, after-hours physician calls, to our affiliation with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Our board-certified team of pediatricians treats each child as if it was one of their own.

Gallatin, Lafayette, Station Camp & White House Locations

Jo Ann Collins MD

Jo Ann Cook Collins, MD

Dr. Jo Cook Collins was born and raised in the Nashville area. She is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She completed pediatric residency at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and is an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Collins is married and has one child. Dr. Collins is grateful to have served this community at the VIP Children’s Clinics since 2000.

Chris Crabtree FNP, PNP

Chris Crabtree, PPCNP-BC, FPCNP-BC*

Chris is from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. After she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology from the University of Slippery Rock in 1991, she worked at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida as a Child Life Specialist. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt in 1995. She is certified as a family nurse practitioner as well as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Chris is married and has many critters.

Allina Espinosa, DO*

Dr. Espinosa grew up in San Diego, California and San Antonio, Texas. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology with a concentration of social aspects of health and disease. Following, she attended William Carey College for medical school in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She completed her pediatric residency in Jackson, Mississippi. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She enjoys exploring new foods in different countries and hiking. She is thrilled to have moved to the Middle Tennessee area and have joined the VIP team.

Lauren Fox, CPNP-PC/AC

Lauren was raised in the small town of Vero Beach, FL. She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and continued her studies at Belmont University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She went on to complete her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is dual certified as an acute and primary care pediatric nurse practitioner. Prior to joining the VIP Children’s Clinic team, she spent ten years working with children at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt with hematologic and oncologic diagnoses. She is married with two children and a very spoiled goldendoodle.

Jasmine Geisinger CPNP

Jasmine Geisinger, PPCNP-BC

Jasmine is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She attended Vanderbilt University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2003 and her Master of Nursing degree in 2007. She is certified as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Sigma Theta Tau, the International Nursing Honor Society. Jasmine is married with two sons.

Dr. Hay

Valerie Hay, MD

Dr. Hay was born and raised in Western Illinois, near St. Louis. She is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a degree in Biology. She went on to obtain her medical degree at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 1997. She completed her Pediatric Residency in Springfield, IL at Southern Illinois University. Dr. Hay has now been practicing for 23 years and has lived in a few different states on her journey. She is happily married and has one son. Her hobbies include watching hockey and basketball, traveling, watching movies, and reading. Dr. Hay and her family are excited for this new chapter in their lives.

Jason Kastner MD

Jason Kastner, MD*

Dr. Jason Kastner was raised in Manhattan, Kansas. He attended college at Kansas State University and medical school at the University of Kansas, graduating in 1998. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and served as Chief Resident in Pediatrics from 2001 – 2002. He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He is married with two daughters.

Tiffany Ludick CFNP

Tiffany Ludick, APRN-BC

Tiffany is a native of Macon County. She attended Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1998. She received her Master of Nursing Degree from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 2002. She is a certified family nurse practitioner, a member of the American Nurses Association, and a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.

Jessica Miller, MD*

Dr. Jessica Miller is a native of Marietta, Georgia. She completed her Master of Public Health at the University of Georgia prior to earning her medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Dr. Miller completed her residency at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in 2015. Prior to returning, she worked for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as an urgent care physician. She was excited to return to the Middle Tennessee area to see patients at our Gallatin and Lafayette locations. Her practice interests include allergy and asthma care as well as breastfeeding and newborn care. Dr. Miller is married with two sons, and a Welsh Corgi. She enjoys following her Georgia Bulldogs, knitting, and volunteering with her college sorority.

Victoria Rundus MD

Victoria Rundus, MD*

Dr. Rundus was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised in
Lumberton, North Carolina. She is a graduate of the University of Houston and the University of Texas Health Sciences Center — San Antonio Medical School. Prior to medical school, Dr. Rundus was a research scientist for 4 years studying cleft lip and cleft palate formation. She completed her residency in pediatrics at Vanderbilt University and served as Chief Resident in Pediatrics from 2002 – 2003. She is an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Rundus is married, has one daughter and is a proud soccer mom. She has greatly enjoyed her job providing care for children at VIP Children’s Clinics since 2003.

Megan Tackett MD

Megan Tackett, MD

From Knoxville, Dr. Megan Tackett has always had a love
for Tennessee. She went to the University of Tennessee for both college and medical school. Providing care to children and their families was always her priority so she continued her pediatric training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. After residency, she worked at a small private practice in Atlanta, but always knew she wanted to come back to her home state. She is thrilled to have joined the VIP family in April 2014.

Andrew Vizcarra, MD*

Dr. Andrew Vizcarra was raised in small-town Western Montana. He found a love for medicine during a year-long medical mission in Peru. After attending medical school at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, he and his wife Dr. Tara Vizcarra came to Memphis, TN to continue training in pediatric medicine. Last year, he worked for Pediatric Emergency Specialists in Le Bonheur Hospital Emergency Department. In Gallatin and Lafayette Clinics, Dr. Vizcarra is excited to fulfill his dream of working for the children and families in his community.

Tara Vizcarra, MD*

Dr. Vizcarra was born and raised in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. She attended college at Southern Adventist University during which she also spent two years volunteering with a nonprofit organization in Peru. In 2012, she moved to Southern California, obtaining MD and MPH degrees from Loma Linda University. She returned to Tennessee for residency at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital followed by Chief Resident year from 2020-2021. Dr. Vizcarra is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. In her free time, she enjoys creating in the kitchen, traveling, and going on outdoor adventures with her husband, son and overly energetic dog.

Alyson Wills MD

Alyson Wills, MD

Dr. Wills was born in Wichita Falls, Texas and grew up all over the United States where she has lived in more than 10 states. She graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2005, she graduated from Wright State School of Medicine located in Dayton, Ohio. She completed her residency in pediatrics at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania in 2008. She practiced in a small town in Ohio before she moved to Tennessee in 2012. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a member of the faculty of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Dr. Wills is married and has two children, one of which has significant special needs.

Wiggleton

Catherine Wiggleton, MD

Dr. Catherine Wiggleton graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where she also completed her Pediatrics residency. She came to Hendersonville Children’s Clinic after practicing for two years as a Pediatric Hospitalist at theMonroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Before completing her degree in medicine, she received a Masters degree from the Harvard School of Public Health and a Bachelors degree from Stanford University in Psychology. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Wiggleton is married and they have one daughter. Dr. Wiggleton is excited to care for the families of Hendersonville, where she resides.

Kristie Yates PA-C

Kristie Yates, PA-C

Kristie Yates is a PA-C (certified Physician Assistant) joining our provider group in White House She was born and raised in a small town outside of Gainesville, Florida. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Health Education from the University of Florida and then moved to Nashville, TN to complete the Physician Assistant Program at Trevecca Nazarene University. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, spending time with friends and family, cheering for the Florida Gators, and hanging out with her two cats. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Physician Assistants, and The Society for Physician Assistants in Pediatrics. Her clinical interests include pediatric preventative health, adolescent medicine, and breastfeeding advocation.

Hendersonville & Portland Locations

Joshua Bland, MD

Dr. Bland graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville in 2020, and completed his pediatric residency at Erlanger Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga in 2023. Dr. Bland had previously lived in Portland, TN, and he and his wife Hayley graduated from Portland High School in 2012. He and Hayley have one son. Dr. Bland has loved soccer since playing for Portland in high school and enjoys watching Nashville Soccer Club games with his wife. They also love watching the Commodores and tailgate for most football games. They are both overjoyed to return home and work for the community that raised them.

Laura Bowling PNP

Laura Bowling, PPCNP*

Laura graduated from the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in 2014. Prior to graduate school, Laura attended Vanderbilt University and earned bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and Medicine, Health, and Society. Laura has done volunteer work at a children’s clinic in Guatemala and enjoys working with the Spanish-speaking (and English-speaking) families of Hendersonville and Portland. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society. Laura is board certified through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

Laura Bowling PNP

Katie Ford, MD

Dr. Katie Ford graduated from medical school at the East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee in 2018. Following this, she completed her pediatric residency at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. While in residency, she received a Distinction in Biomedical Ethics, as well as additional training in advocacy efforts for children’s health. She is particularly interested in social determinants of health, caring for vulnerable populations, and alleviating health disparities. Dr. Ford was born and raised in Nashville, where she now resides with her husband. A lifelong Commodore, she enjoys cheering on Vanderbilt athletics, traveling, reading, exercising, and gardening in her spare time.

Saagar Karlekar MD

Saagar Karlekar, MD

Dr. Saagar Karlekar completed his pediatric residency in 2000 at NY Medical College/Westchester Medical Center after completing medical school at St. Georges University School of Medicine in 1997. Prior to coming to Hendersonville, TN in 2007, Dr. Karlekar remained in New York City working at Beth Israel’s Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery as a pediatric hospitalist. After gaining valuable experience there, he joined a pediatric practice in the Bronx, NY where he developed an interest in managing asthma/allergies, along with developmental issues such as ADD/ADHD, autism, down’s syndrome as well as other conditions in children and adolescents. Dr. Karlekar is a board certified pediatrician as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Before beginning his medical career, Dr. Karlekar had always been involved with children in varying capacities. This included running programs for disabled children while earning his BS at the Rochester Institute of Technology, as well as volunteering as a science teacher in the Peace Corps after graduating from college. Since moving from NYC in 2007, Dr Karlekar, his wife and twin boys have been grateful to be part of the Nashville community.

Heather Lehmann MD

Heather Lehmann, MD*

Dr. Heather Lehmann began her medical training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Following this, she completed a year of clinical research at Duke University. Dr. Lehmann went on to receive her medical degree and residency training from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, in affiliation with University health Systems of Eastern North Carolina. She received her Board Certification in 2008. Dr. Lehman’s training is unique in that she has had experiences in rural and international medicine, particularly with Hispanic families. She is excited to care for all families in the Hendersonville community, where she resides. Dr. Lehmann has an interest in adolescent medicine and is glad to offer comprehensive health care services. Dr. Lehmann is married to Brian Lehmann, a research scientist with the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.

Marlon Shell, MD

Dr. Marlon Shell is originally from the state of Michigan, otherwise known as a Michigander. He attended the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor for his undergraduate degree and medical school. He interestingly holds a BA in Economics. He completed his pediatric residency training at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. While he had interests in the care of newborns and premature babies as well as caring for the heart of children; unable to decide, he spent a year in private practice while in Michigan. His heart fell in love with caring for children of all ages and a variety of conditions, watching them grow, watching their families grow, and hopefully forming lifelong relationships with them and their parents.

Dr. Shell moved to Tennessee after that year and has been practicing with the VIP family since 2010 and presently has his base office in Hendersonville, where he resides with his wife and two daughters. He is dedicated to promoting a warm, judgment free, and fun experience with his patients and their families while being informative and compassionate while partnering with parents in caring for their children.

If you see him around town, he may be running in the local parks or running after his two busy daughters. He enjoys exercising, reading, learning new things, watching movies, listening to a variety of music, and simply having a good laugh. He really enjoys seeing the kids grow and mature and he is also dedicated to continuing to grow and improve his craft such that he can provide them with the best care.

Tena Simmons PNP

Tena Simmons, PPCNP

Tena received her masters degree in nursing from Vanderbilt University in 1995, specializing as a family nurse practitioner. Prior to graduate school, Tena studied biology at Middle Tennessee State University. Tena joined Dr. Wyatt’s practice in January, 1996 as a registered nurse who is also a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP). Tena is Board Certified as by ANCC in family practice and pediatrics. She is married, enjoys watching baseball, exercising, and decorating, and is also active in her church and community events.

Chelsea Norton, MD

Dr. Chelsea Norton graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. Following residency, she worked as a general pediatrician in Charleston before moving to Dallas, Texas where she continued her practice in primary care. She received her board-certification from the American Board of Pediatrics in 2016. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Norton joined VIP in November 2019 and is excited to serve the Hendersonville and Portland communities. She and her family live in Nashville and enjoy spending time outdoors and traveling.

Denise Stuart MD

Denise Stuart, MD

Dr. Denise Stuart received her medical degree from Saint Louis University in 2001, and completed her Pediatric residency at the University of Florida in Jacksonville, Florida in 2004. She received board certification in 2004 from the American Board of Pediatrics. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Stuart was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Following residency, she joined a private practice in North Carolina. In September of 2006 she moved back to Tennessee to join VIP Children’s Clinics. Dr. Stuart lives in Hendersonville with her husband Brian, who is a family practitioner. They have three children.

Springfield & Pleasant View Locations

Jennifer Ashworth, MD

Dr. Jennifer Ashworth was born in Springfield at Jesse Holman Jones Hospital though she grew up in Alabama and Mississippi. She graduated from Vanderbilt University and later the University of Alabama Medical School. Dr. Ashworth completed her residency at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and joined The Springfield Children’s Clinic in 2001. Dr. Ashworth is married and has one daughter. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Hunter Butler MD

Hunter Butler, MD

Dr. Hunter Butler is a native of Alabama, born and raised in “L.A.,” otherwise known as Lower Alabama (Foley, AL). He attended Mississippi State University, graduating with a degree in Biomedical Engineering in 2004. While at Mississippi State he became an avid Bulldog fan. He attended Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, earning his MD degree in 2008. At Emory he was elected Class President. Dr. Butler completed his pediatric residency in 2011 at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville. While in residency he met his wife Dr. Miranda Butler, and they were married in 2012. Dr. Butler joined Springfield Children’s Clinic in 2011, where he enjoys a busy general pediatrics practice. Dr. Butler is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. His professional honors include serving on the Board for the Tennessee chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, serving as Medical Director of Robertson County Schools, and being named the Tennessee Early Career Physician of the Year for 2017. His hobbies include playing and coaching soccer, hunting, spending time with his family, and all things related to Mississippi State football.

Erika Crawford, MD

Dr. Erika Crawford was born and raised in San Diego, California. Following high school, she moved to Virginia to attend Hampton University, where she received a degree in biology. Dr. Crawford obtained her medical degree from Meharry Medical College and she attended the University of Virginia for her pediatrics residency training. Upon completion of her residency program, Dr. Crawford joined the Springfield practice in the summer of 2007. Dr. Crawford is married and has two sons and a daughter. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Clara Hart, CPNP

Clara grew up in Hendersonville, TN. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and her Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After becoming a dual certified acute and primary care pediatric nurse practitioner, she moved to Phoenix, AZ and completed a Critical Care Fellowship at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Clara is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. She is excited to be back in Tennessee and working with the VIP Children’s Clinic team. She is married with one son and two dogs. She enjoys running, being outside, and spending time with her family.

Annie Glover Spicer, MD*

Dr. Spicer grew up in Springfield and is excited to work in her hometown. Dr. Spicer became interested in pediatrics during an internship while attending Rhodes College. She would go on to complete medical school and her pediatrics residency in Memphis at the University of Tennessee and Le bonheur Children’s Hospital. After completion of her training in 2010, Dr. Spicer initially worked in two other pediatric practices before joining Springfield Children’s Clinic in 2015. She is a board-certified pediatrician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Spicer enjoys traveling, spending time on the family farm, and being with family and friends. Dr. Spicer is married and has two sons.

Courtney Nadler, FNP-C

Courtney is a Springfield native and delighted to provide patient care in her hometown. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Belmont University and worked at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s hospital in the pediatric medicine acute care and hematology/oncology units. In 2016, Courtney obtained her Master of Science degree in Nursing from Tennessee State University. She is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, and member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and daughter.

Anjeli Wilson MD

Anjeli Wilson, MD*

Dr. Anjeli Wilson grew up in Southern Illinois and graduated from University of Illinois with a degree in Cell biology. She attended Southern Illinois University for Medical School and completed her Pediatric Residency at Children’s Hospital of Illinois. She practiced general pediatrics in Dearborn, Michigan for 10 years before relocating to join Springfield Children’s Clinic. She is fluent in Spanish and enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and four children.

Mollie Weinman CPNP

Mollie Weinman, CPNP

Mollie is originally from Lexington, Kentucky and came to the Middle Tennessee area 15 years ago to pursue studies at Vanderbilt University. She completed her undergraduate studies and graduate studies at Vanderbilt University and graduated with a Master’s of Science in Nursing in 2005. Mollie is a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. She is also a fellow of NAPNAP, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Mollie lives in Nashville with her husband and two daughters.

All Locations

Ryann Sherman, APC

Ryann Sherman is a board-certified Physician Assistant. She was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH and attended school at University of Tennessee where she got her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Biology. Ryann attended graduate school at Trevecca Nazarene University where she got her Master of Science in Medicine and fell in love with the Nashville community. She is married and in her free time loves traveling, watching her husband play baseball, cooking, and being outside. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Physician Assistants and her clinical interests are nutrition and preventative health.

Important COVID-19 Updates

Our Children’s Clinics are committed to keeping your family healthy and safe with updated office procedures and televisit options.

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