Find a Top Family Doctor Near Me in Hempstead, NY – Book an Appointment Instantly

Michele Vallee, APRN has over a decade of experience in hospital, school and community settings caring for patients. After listening to thousands of patients’ concerns, the growing need for additional access to health care became increasingly clear. More patients were spending many hours in the emergency room to receive basic health care. ER visits were not only costly and time consuming but often described as impersonal. Realizing that patients were frustrated with the lack of health care options available Michele Vallee was motivated to make a difference and started Advance Telemedicine. “We understand that health concerns can arise at a moment’s notice. Especially on nights and weekends, making an appointment to see a primary care provider may be difficult and an emergency room visit may not be necessary. That is why we provide flexible hours for patients while providing the same quality of care at an affordable price,” says Michele Vallee, APRN.

Jessica Champagne is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with several years of experience in a variety of both inpatient and outpatient settings. Jessica takes a holistic approach to patient care, often combining traditional medicine with lifestyle modifications and complementary therapies. She says, “I want to know my patients as unique individuals - understand their motivations, values, goals - that way I can provide the best possible care”. Jessica joined Advance Telemedicine in 2023 and is eager to guide her patients on their path to optimal wellness.

About Our Practice

Thomas S. Ziering, MD, is a compassionate family practitioner serving patients in Morristown, New Jersey. Having practiced traditional family medicine for more than 30 years, Dr. Ziering has an exceptional career and the unique privilege and perspective of treating ALL patients and families regardless of gender identity, sexual identity, or medical issue. He has delivered more than 150 newborns in his career and many of the children he has cared for now bring their children and families to him.

Dr. Ziering graduated from Rutgers University Medical School in Newark and completed his residency at RWJ University Somerset Medical Center in 1990 where he was honored as the Top Resident Educator. Notably, he was part of the initial clinical trials as a clinical researcher for HIV illness during the HIV crisis in 1992. He is now one of the only private practices to treat and teach PrEP, PEP, and HIV care, as well as hormone therapy for men, women, and trans patients.

Sharing his wealth of knowledge and dedicated to education, Dr. Ziering lectures nationally and statewide and has been integral in teaching physician assistants, nurse practitioners, medical students, residents, physicians, and faculty at many of New Jersey’s various programs. Dr. Ziering was also the former Medical Director of LGBTQI Services for a private medical corporation from 2015-2017. Most recently he was a speaker at the New Jersey Academy of Family Medicine in the first lecture on LGBTQI Medicine for Physicians in Practice.

Dr. Ziering, whose patients endearingly refer to as Tom, has had the privilege of electives in England (Oncology), Miami, Florida (Dermatology), and Dallas, Texas (Cardiology). He has been honored with over 40 Top Physician Awards including “Top Doctors” and “Most Compassionate Physician” in New Jersey Monthly Magazine, Inside New Jersey Magazine, New York Magazine, Ladies Home Journal, US News and World Report, and most recently listed in “Top Physician in Women’s Health Care.” Seeing the lack of an Independent Family Practice Department at Morristown Medical Center, Dr. Ziering developed and established one in 1994 and chaired the department for six years.

Having been in Medical Education, Medical Administration, Concierge Medicine and Corporate Medicine, Dr. Ziering has found his passion as a healer to be most effective in Private Practice. By not limiting patient visits to 5-10 minutes, he has found the most comfortable and most involved method of practice with a half-hour to one-hour visit, depending on health issues. In this manner, multiple medical issues and mental health issues can be addressed often in one visit. Furthermore, the ‘exam rooms’ are set up more like small living rooms with home furnishings, aromatherapy, sound soothers and artwork conducive to a calm and relaxed discussion. Every aspect of the patient experience is important to Dr. Ziering, and he looks forward to helping improve the health outcomes of all those under his care and seeing them thrive.

Hitesh Patel, MD is a board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine and obesity medicine. He provides expert, compassionate primary care at Premier Healthcare Associates, PC, conveniently located in a state-of-the-art facility near Ocean University Medical Center (OUMC), part of Hackensack Meridian Health, in Brick, New Jersey. 

Dr. Patel offers a wide range of services, including the diagnosis and management of chronic conditions such as thyroid disorders, heart disease, diabetes, COPD, and mental health conditions. His practice also provides preventive care, comprehensive physical exams, medical weight loss programs, and aesthetic treatments like TempSure® Envi for skin tightening. To enhance patient care, the office uses a modern electronic medical records system, and most prescriptions are sent electronically for convenience and efficiency.

Dr. Patel completed his undergraduate studies at Loyola University Chicago, earning a double major in chemistry and biology. He was awarded the Loyola University Presidential Scholarship (a tuition merit scholarship), was a national member of the Pre-Medical Honor Society, and consistently made the Dean’s List. He earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in 2000, with extensive training across specialties including nephrology, urology, gastroenterology, cardiology, psychiatry, neurology, pulmonology, critical care, surgery, and infectious disease.

His postgraduate training in internal medicine included residencies at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois, and St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center in Queens, New York, affiliated with New York Medical College. Following his training, Dr. Patel served as both a staff and attending teaching physician. He was Associate Director of the Transitional Year Residency Program at Ocean University Medical Center, Clinical Site Director for Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, and currently serves as Chairman of Medicine at Ocean University Medical Center, where he leads academic and clinical efforts within the department.

Dr. Patel also served as a physician for Monmouth and Middlesex County Correctional Facilities, providing care in challenging and high-security environments. In addition, he worked as an occupational physician for Continental Airlines at Newark International Airport. Before founding his private practice in Brick in 2006, he practiced medicine in both the Bronx, New York, and Manhasset, Long Island, gaining extensive experience in diverse clinical settings.

Dr. Patel is an active member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, and the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. He is fluent in English, Gujarati, and Hindi. Outside of work, he enjoys spending quality time with his family and pursuing personal interests such as yoga, biking, hiking, and traveling.

     

Todd Halper, MD, is a board-certified primary care doctor and family medicine physician at Halper Family Medicine in Rockville Centre and Bayport, New York. Dr. Halper grew up watching his father treat patients in his community and form lasting relationships throughout their care. Today, he works hard at his private practice to take care of his patients as if they’re members of his own family and helps them avoid getting ill with preventive care.

Dr. Halper earned his degree in medicine from the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medicine St. Augustine in Trinidad. He then moved back to his home state of New York for a residency in family practice at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. In 2009 during this residency, his outstanding communication skills and knowledge were recognized when he earned the Resident Teacher Award.

Halper Family Medicine is known as the best health care facility in the area. Dr. Halper offers a wide variety of services for patients of all ages, including Botox® injections, IV infusions, regenerative medicine using their own PRP or stem cells, and annual physical exams. He dedicates the necessary time to explain his patients’ conditions and treatments in-depth so that they have a complete understanding of their own care.

When he isn’t at Halper Family Medicine caring for patients, Dr. Halper loves to give back to his community through volunteer work. He teaches future doctors at New York’s Stony Brook University and Hofstra University in Hempstead.

Our office provides PRIMARY care for your health. We pledge to continue to provide an environment to meet your needs as a person.

Paolo T. Coppola, MD, FACEP, is an experienced physician who serves as the Medical Director for Victory Recovery Partners, which has locations in Farmingville, Shirley, and Massapequa, New York. Dr. Coppola is board-certified in Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine.  He relies on his years of experience providing medication-assisted treatment to people experiencing substance use disorders.

Dr. Coppola simultaneously earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics at New York University and a Bachelor of Engineering at The Cooper Union in New York in 1990. He completed his medical degree at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. 

He then completed his residency in emergency medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, before beginning his career as an attending physician in the emergency department of Brookhaven Memorial Hospital in East Patchogue, New York.

To better serve the diverse communities in New York City, Dr. Coppola is multilingual and speaks English and Italian fluently. He is board-certified in addiction medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine and board-certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Society of Chest Pain Centers.

Christopher Xikis, PA-C, is a certified physician’s assistant at Victory Recovery Partners, which has locations in Farmingville, Shirley, and Massapequa, New York. 

Chris started his education at the State University of New York at Farmingdale, where he earned an associate’s degree in biomedical engineering technology and was inducted into the Alpha Eta National Honor Society for Allied Health. He then completed a Physician Assistant Bachelor of Science at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he was the recipient of the Outstanding Professional Service Award and president of the Physician Assistant Student Society.

Prior to joining Victory Recovery Partners, Chris held several physician assistant positions in New York, including a private cardiology practice, vascular surgery, and in a chemical dependency unit at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, New York. While at St. Charles Hospital, he also received training for medication-assisted treatment in opioid and alcohol abuse disorders. 

Chris is a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and a guest lecturer for the Stony Brook Physician Assistant’s Program.

Steven J. Salvatore, DO, is board-certified in emergency medicine and is the Chief Medical Officer at Victory Recovery Partners, which has locations in Farmingville, Shirley, and Massapequa, New York. 

A Long Island native, Dr. Salvatore majored in biology at Fordham University in The Bronx, New York, before completing a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at the NY College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, New York. He then completed a medical internship at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York City and a residency in emergency medicine at the Long Island Jewish Hospital in Lake Success, New York, which is currently part of the Northwell Healthcare System.

His early work experience includes several emergency department positions at New York City hospitals and a medical director position with two medical facilities in Farmingville and Ronkonkoma, New York.

An experienced television host and medical correspondent, Dr. Salvatore shared his knowledge on The Dr. Steve Show, a nationally syndicated program. He also appeared on CW 11 Morning News, Discovery Channel, Fox 5 News, Fox News Channel, and CNN as a medical correspondent.

Dr. Salvatore is board-certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He also maintains certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Kenya Crafton is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and the visionary behind KC Performance. With over a decade of experience, she bridges the gap between medical treatments and fitness to optimize health, recovery, and performance. Kenya specializes in non-surgical pain management, weight loss, and regenerative therapies, offering personalized care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Through services like peptide therapy, IV hydration, biomarker testing, and body composition scanning, she empowers patients to achieve their wellness goals and improve their quality of life. Kenya combines her expertise in sports medicine and athletic recovery to help patients overcome injuries and maximize performance. Her approach includes advanced techniques like VO2 max testing and metabolic assessments to enhance recovery and optimize physical potential. With a focus on comprehensive care and lasting results, Kenya redefines what it means to thrive in health, wellness, and peak performance.

 

Todd Halper, MD, is a board-certified primary care doctor and family medicine physician at Halper Family Medicine in Rockville Centre and Bayport, New York. Dr. Halper grew up watching his father treat patients in his community and form lasting relationships throughout their care. Today, he works hard at his private practice to take care of his patients as if they’re members of his own family and helps them avoid getting ill with preventive care.

Dr. Halper earned his degree in medicine from the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medicine St. Augustine in Trinidad. He then moved back to his home state of New York for a residency in family practice at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. In 2009 during this residency, his outstanding communication skills and knowledge were recognized when he earned the Resident Teacher Award.

Halper Family Medicine is known as the best health care facility in the area. Dr. Halper offers a wide variety of services for patients of all ages, including Botox® injections, IV infusions, regenerative medicine using their own PRP or stem cells, and annual physical exams. He dedicates the necessary time to explain his patients’ conditions and treatments in-depth so that they have a complete understanding of their own care.

When he isn’t at Halper Family Medicine caring for patients, Dr. Halper loves to give back to his community through volunteer work. He teaches future doctors at New York’s Stony Brook University and Hofstra University in Hempstead.