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Joan is a fun-loving, life-living Nurse Practitioner who practices what she preaches. Whether it's golfing, hiking, surfing or some other activity, you will always see her bright smile lighting the way! She is an expert at helping people get out of pain and into the flow of a joy-filled life. Her compassionate, gentle yet tough-love approach give every patient a one-in-a-million experience. She is a mom, a grandma, and even a homeschooling veteran. Life is an adventure for Joan, and she can't wait to help you get back to the life you want to live. Take a Mulligan, Joan will show you how!

Pam Schillar, a highly experienced Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) relocated to Cave
Creek, AZ from Sandpoint, ID, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to
providing exceptional anesthesia care.

Pam grew up on a wheat farm in Ritzville, WA, a small community in Eastern Washington. She earned
her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Eastern Washington University in May 1981 and began her career
as an RN at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA, initially working on a surgical floor. Pam later
transitioned to the Cardio-thoracic ICU, where she specialized in recovering heart and lung patients.
During this time, she had the opportunity to work closely with CRNAs who specialized in heart and lung
anesthesia, sparking her interest in furthering her education in this field.

In January 1991, Pam joined the United States Air Force as a commissioned officer. After two years in
the Medical ICU, she was accepted into the USAF CRNA program. The Air Force sent Pam to the
University of Texas Health Science Center, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing with a
focus on anesthesia in 1996. Pam has been board certified since October 1996, and over the years, she
has gained extensive experience providing anesthesia services to patients of all ages in a variety of
settings.

For the past 19 years, Pam worked at Bonner General Hospital, a critical access hospital in Sandpoint, ID,
where she provided anesthesia care in a busy surgical services department. Pam enjoyed serving a tight-
knit community, caring for multiple generations of families. However, after years of long winters, Pam
decided to relocate to the Valley, a place she has always loved.

Pam is excited about the opportunities for both personal and professional growth in Arizona. In her free
time, she enjoys golfing, hiking, and taking in the breathtaking desert landscapes and sunsets. She also
enjoys the vibrant culture of the area, from local sports teams and spring training to excellent
restaurants and art and music festivals.

Will is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 25 years of nursing experience that spans across multiple continents. A graduate of a nursing program in the Philippines, Will's medical journey began in a Heart Center where he cared for high-risk cardiac patients, including those recovering from post-CABG and post-open-heart surgeries. Seeking to broaden his professional horizons, Will moved to the United Kingdom, where he served as a nurse in large hospitals in Northern Ireland and London. His leadership skills were recognized as he took on the role of an assistant manager, showcasing his ability to excel in both clinical and managerial roles. Will later relocated to Arizona in the United States, where he continued to expand his nursing expertise in medical and cardiac intensive care units. Currently, as a Nurse Practitioner, Wilfredo applies his extensive experience and patient-centered approach in a retail clinic setting.

Allan Buenaventura, NP, is a seasoned healthcare professional with an impressive 27-year journey. His career is rooted in Emergency and Intensive Care Nursing, where his clinical acumen, leadership, and patient-centered approach were honed. Allan's experience in these fast-paced, high-pressure environments has equipped him with exceptional problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of critical care. Transitioning to a Nurse Practitioner role, Allan has showcased his versatility in healthcare, applying his extensive nursing experience to provide comprehensive patient care. His roles have ranged from internal medicine to correctional healthcare and retail health, each contributing to his broad skill set. Allan's dedication to excellence in healthcare, coupled with his commitment to patient wellbeing, makes him a remarkable practitioner. His vast experience and adaptable nature continue to drive his passion for delivering top-tier healthcare.

Jennifer Muhammad is a skilled and dedicated clinician that specializes in family healthcare. She is a dual certified Family & Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree. Dr. Muhammad is your compassionate and attentive Practice Director and is a member of the Arizona State Physicians Association. She enjoys giving back to the community through Community Health Clinics. In-Office or TeleHealth Video Visits are available - click REQUEST APPOINTMENT! New Patient visits typically take 1 to 1-1/2 hours. *We require a credit/debit card to reserve your appointment (see attached form). Your card will not be charged until services are rendered.* **We understand circumstances due occur, if it is less than 24-hours before your confirmed appointment time, please telephone the office directly at (520) 477-1815 to cancel. Appointments cancelled or rescheduled FOR ANY REASON within 24 hours of the appointment will incur a no-show/late cancellation fee.**

Kathy Nafisi, FNP-C, APRN, MSN is Arizona board certified Nurse practitioner with 20 plus years of experience in health care. Kathy Nafisi, FNP-C not only is caring, compassionate health care professional but she believes in functional medicine and incorporate multi-facetted expertise to provide optimal and preventive care to her patient population. Kathy Nafisi, FNP-C has wealth of knowledge in preventive health care, chronic health conditions, chronic pain management/ addiction, weight loss, ADHD, sexual health, Male Erectile dysfunction, hormone replacement therapy, women’s health, hair loss, nutrition, and supplements.

Jessica is a board certified Physician Assistant. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Sioux Falls, followed by her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Union College in 2009. She spent over 8 years in the field of Family Medicine prior to specializing in Pain Management and Rehabilitation. Her time spent in primary care was essential to develop her understanding of acute and chronic pain, including its potentially debilitating effects. Jessica believes in building trusting relationships with her patients, and does this by listening and providing a comprehensive plan of care. She believes in teaching and empowering patients to make lifestyle changes, in conjunction with medical treatments, to take control of their pain. 

Laura Hafez is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She completed her BS in Nutrition from ASU in 2014, MS in Nursing from the UofA in 2017 respectively. Not settling for the typical level of education for practicing nurses, Laura decided to continue her education and pursue the Family Nurse Practitioner role to provide better care. She graduated from NAU with a Post Masters Nurse Practitioner with a specialization in family practice in 2019. Laura is a current member of the AANP, as well as Sigma Theta Tau. Laura believes in the promotion of health and well-being, alongside patient education to achieve the best outcomes. She believes in education and research, and applies this to her patient base, making certain her treatment protocols are truly the latest, most effective, and proven remedies available. Laura is passionate about her belief in applying preventative medicine to her patent population, reducing the incidence of disease, both in the short term and later in life.

Jennifer is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She completed her BS in Nursing from ASU in 2012. From there, she decided to start her career as a Registered Nurse in an Intensive Care Unit. She was determined to continue on with her education and pursued her MS in Nursing from GCU, where she graduated from in 2024. Jennifer is a current member of the American Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau. She is passionate about providing holistic, quality care that promotes health and wellbeing. She believes her patients should have the opportunity to be active participants in the management of their healthcare as she feels shared decision making is vital to positive patient outcomes. She also believes it is important to provide treatment options based on the best evidence-based recommendations. It is her goal to establish patient relationships which allow open communication and improved long-term outcomes for all of her patients.

Pam Schillar, a highly experienced Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) relocated to Cave
Creek, AZ from Sandpoint, ID, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to
providing exceptional anesthesia care.

Pam grew up on a wheat farm in Ritzville, WA, a small community in Eastern Washington. She earned
her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Eastern Washington University in May 1981 and began her career
as an RN at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA, initially working on a surgical floor. Pam later
transitioned to the Cardio-thoracic ICU, where she specialized in recovering heart and lung patients.
During this time, she had the opportunity to work closely with CRNAs who specialized in heart and lung
anesthesia, sparking her interest in furthering her education in this field.

In January 1991, Pam joined the United States Air Force as a commissioned officer. After two years in
the Medical ICU, she was accepted into the USAF CRNA program. The Air Force sent Pam to the
University of Texas Health Science Center, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing with a
focus on anesthesia in 1996. Pam has been board certified since October 1996, and over the years, she
has gained extensive experience providing anesthesia services to patients of all ages in a variety of
settings.

For the past 19 years, Pam worked at Bonner General Hospital, a critical access hospital in Sandpoint, ID,
where she provided anesthesia care in a busy surgical services department. Pam enjoyed serving a tight-
knit community, caring for multiple generations of families. However, after years of long winters, Pam
decided to relocate to the Valley, a place she has always loved.

Pam is excited about the opportunities for both personal and professional growth in Arizona. In her free
time, she enjoys golfing, hiking, and taking in the breathtaking desert landscapes and sunsets. She also
enjoys the vibrant culture of the area, from local sports teams and spring training to excellent
restaurants and art and music festivals.

At Heartistry Nutrition, we treat the whole person rather than their chronic condition. Our approach focuses on individualized nutrition care. We work with your preferences, budget, and health goals to create a custom nutrition plan just for you.

Felicia, a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, where she also attended a dietetic internship wellness track, brings a wealth of experience in addressing conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. She’s also the author of Dietetic Intern Guidebook: An Uncomplicated and Practical Guide to Nutrition Intervention, which provides an uncomplicated and practical approach to treat conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.

Felicia is active in the industry and stays up to date on research as she is a member of multiple dietetic practice groups (DPG) including the Cardiovascular Health and Well-Being DPG, Diabetes DPG, Renal Dietitians DPG, and Healthy Aging DPG. She is also a member of the National Kidney Foundation, and the Central Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

At Heartistry Nutrition, we offer a free 20-minute telehealth consultation to discuss your health concerns and goals, whether you’re interested in  weight loss or need help managing your blood sugar levels or high blood pressure. We offer all our client’s a 75-minute initial consultation and 45-minutes follow-up appointments. During this time we'll discuss your medical history and health concerns in further detail, reviewing your lab values, and providing tailored nutrition plans without forcing diets, ensuring they fit your lifestyle and address your goals. 

We accept most major insurance including Aetna, Medicare, and Blue Cross Blue Sheild to make nutrition care affordable and accessible. Take the first step toward better health — schedule your free consultation today by phone or online.

Karie Pietrykowski is a Family Nurse Practitioner currently practicing at Oasis Ear, Nose and Throat in Surprise, AZ.

Karie was born and raised in Montana where she studied dance and theater. She discovered her passion for serving others when she saw the amazing care provided to her mother during her battle with breast cancer. She worked as a nurse prior to graduating with her Masters in Science from The University of Cincinnati and has worked in healthcare for over a decade. She previously worked as a primary care provider and continues to be dedicated to complete patient-centered care.

She moved to Arizona with her two black labs to enjoy the sunshine. She continues to participate in dance and theater. She spends her free time taking dance classes, teaching yoga and watching Cubs baseball.

Dr. Ricardo La Grotta, MD is a primary care physician. He serves patients at HealthyU Clinics at our Chandler, Arizona clinic.

With over two decades of medical experience, Dr. La Grotta brings his passion and commitment to HealthyU Clinics. Motivated by the organization's dedication to prioritizing patients, he joins with enthusiasm and a belief that the clinic is truly upholding the oath in primary care by putting people first.

Having spent his formative years in diverse regions such as South America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Northwest, Dr. La Grotta has cultivated a unique perspective. His focus on Primary Care and Urgent Care stems from a seamless blend of practical experience and scientific knowledge.

Although his family has been in the Pacific Northwest for four decades, Dr. La Grotta eagerly embraces Arizona as his new home. He looks forward to immersing himself in the beauty of the state, connecting with its vibrant communities, and indulging in the rich gastronomy that Arizona has to offer.

Michael Brady, DO, is a family medicine and primary care physician. He serves patients in Surprise and El Mirage, Arizona, at the HealthyU Clinics Surprise – Dysart Rd clinic. 

Dr. Brady started his medical career in the United States Navy, where he served as an independent duty diving medical technician. After retiring from the Navy, he worked as an orthopedic technician before attending medical school. 

Dr. Brady attended medical school at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, followed by a family medicine residency at Abrazo Central Campus (formerly Phoenix Baptist Hospital) in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Dr. Brady began working for HealthyU Clinics in 2022. He enjoys seeing patients of all ages and likes to incorporate osteopathic principles in the treatment of his patients, including manual manipulation when appropriate.

When he’s not seeing patients, Dr. Brady enjoys traveling with his wife, riding bicycles and motorcycles, and working on his vehicles.