Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Here at The Howard Center, women’s health is very important to us. In the late 90s, the Howard’s — Dr. Drew and Dr. Kaylar — were on a mission to create an all-new women’s health center tailored specifically to helping women. Both physicians firmly believed that they could not only take care of women’s needs, but make them feel special while they did so. With this idea in mind, The Howard Center came to be!
Today, our Howard Center offices offer comprehensive gynecology services for females from the age of adolescence to post-menopause. With eight offices throughout Georgia, including Covington, Valdosta, Moultrie, Warner Robins, Albany/Leesburg, Douglas, Tifton, Lawrenceville, Athens and Waycross, we make it easy for women to access high-quality diagnostics, treatments, and preventive care.
Our gynecology team has extensive experience in identifying and treating a variety of gynecological conditions, including heavy periods, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We also offer a variety of birth control options, such as the Liletta® intrauterine device (IUD), to prevent unintended pregnancy.
Preventive care services like well-woman annual exams with Pap smears are available to reduce risk factors for chronic diseases, including cancer. Our experienced providers also specialize in menopause management services and hormone replacement therapy to help women through the transition to their post-menopausal years.
Women can also receive treatment for urinary incontinence, including innovative procedures like tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) surgery.
The Howard Center’s surgery center features the latest technologies in minimally invasive surgery. Our team performs in-office procedures like NovaSure® endometrial ablation and operative laparoscopy surgery to treat gynecologic issues without causing unnecessary trauma to the body.
We are thrilled to introduce their latest addition – The Glammo Mammo Suite at the Howard Breast Imaging Center. Step into a world of luxury and care as you experience our state-of-the-art facility covered in bling and diamonds. The Howard Center is proud to provide an environment where our patients feel like royalty while having their mammograms performed! With The Glammo Mammo Suite being located at The Howard Center in Tifton, it gives our patients the convenience of having their annual exam and mammogram done on the same day, all under one roof! Because, at The Howard Center, we believe in making your healthcare experience as seamless and stress-free as possible!
If you’re looking for a highly experienced OB/GYN to help you manage your reproductive health, call The Howard Center office nearest you or request a consultation online today.
Drew Howard, M.D., is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist. He brings nearly three decades of medical experience to the team at The Howard Center, which has locations in Covington, Valdosta, Moultrie, Warner Robins, Leesburg, Douglas, Tifton, and Waycross, Georgia.
Dr. Howard is a native of Ashburn, Georgia. He studied medicine at the Medical College of Georgia, from which he graduated in 1992. He completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology internship at Mountain Area Health Education Center in Asheville, North Carolina. He also completed Anesthesia training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
In 1999, Dr. Howard became a diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the year 2000. He has also received a certification from the American Board of Anit-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, which gives his patients the opportunity to access a wealth of information regarding not only ways to improve their lives, but the tools to extend their lives.
“We feel blessed to be able to practice what we believe is the most honorable profession in the world; to take care of our mothers.”
James Nix, MD, is a highly accomplished and board-certified OB/GYN at The Howard Center, which has locations in Athens, Lawrenceville, Covington, Valdosta, Moultrie, Warner Robins, Leesburg, Douglas, Tifton, and Waycross, Georgia. With an impressive career spanning over 25 years in the medical field, he is renowned for his expertise in obstetrics and gynecology and has made significant contributions to women's healthcare. Dr. Nix's journey in the field of medicine is marked by a commitment to excellence and a dedication to improving the lives of his patients.
Dr. Nix embarked on his medical journey by earning his medical degree from the Texas Tech HSC School of Medicine, where he received a solid foundation in the fundamentals of medicine. Following his medical school education, he pursued specialized training in obstetrics and gynecology, completing his residency at the University of Tennessee - Memphis. During his residency, Dr. Nix honed his clinical skills and gained valuable experience in the diagnosis and management of a wide range of women's health issues.
Dr. Nix is an esteemed member of The Howard Center for Women's Health, where he continues to provide exceptional care to women in the Southern and Northern Georgia areas. His practice is distinguished by his compassionate approach to patient care and his commitment to staying at the forefront of medical advancements in his field.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Nix is recognized for his surgical expertise. He performs surgeries at several reputable medical facilities, including TRMC (Tift Regional Medical Center) and Piedmont. His surgical skills have allowed him to address complex gynecological conditions and provide surgical solutions that enhance the well-being of his patients.
Throughout his career, Dr. James Nix has remained dedicated to advancing women's healthcare and improving the quality of life for his patients. His extensive experience, board certification, and commitment to ongoing learning make him a respected figure in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. His work continues to positively impact the health and lives of countless women in the communities he serves.
Dr. Kaylar Greer Howard studied Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia, from where she graduated in 1992. She did an internship in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mountain Area Health Education Center which is part of Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina.
She also did anesthesia training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee and the Knoxville Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. She also completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee.
She became a diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1999 and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the year 2000. More recently she has received a certification from the American Board of Anti-aging and Regenerative Medicine, which gives her patients the opportunity to access a wealth of information regarding, not only ways to improve their lives, but tools to extend their lives.
Charis Trench-Simmons, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN with ample medical experience and a true commitment to the field of women’s health care. At Prestige Healthcare OBGYN in Atlanta, Dr. Trench-Simmons works with her husband, Lorenza Simmons, MD, and skilled health professionals to serve women as they transition through all stages of life. Dr. Trench-Simmons offers an array of proven-successful aesthetic, gynecological, and obstetrical services.
After completing her undergraduate degree at the Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, Dr. Trench-Simmons obtained her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, New York. She then continued her education with a residency in gynecology and obstetrics at Tulane University in New Orleans and the WellStar Atlanta Medical Center.
For three years, Dr. Trench-Simmons served as a lieutenant commander and general medical officer in the United States Navy. She’s a prominent member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Specializing in weight management, adolescent gynecology, and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Trench-Simmons works hard to provide the best possible personalized medical experience for women to lower disease risks and boost their confidence and well-being. For Dr. Trench-Simmons, the needs of the individual always come first.
Outside of the office, Dr. Trench-Simmons uses her creative flair to create distinctive jewelry. She also likes to travel and considers each journey an opportunity to learn and explore.
Dr. Trench-Simmons is gladly accepting new patients.
Shelley Dunson-Allen, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN physician at Providence Women's Healthcare in Roswell, Suwanee, and Atlanta, Georgia. She is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Dunson-Allen attended Harvard Medical School and completed her internship and residency at Emory University in 1993. She has served as an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Morehouse School of Medicine and as a clinical instructor at Emory University Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics teaching resident physicians and medical students. Dr. Dunson-Allen has been in private practice in metro Atlanta since 1996.
She has been in practice in North Fulton County since 2001 and founded Providence Women’s Healthcare in 2008. Dr. Dunson-Allen currently serves as chief of the Woman’s Health Service live for Wellstar North Fulton Hospital. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia OB/GYN Society. Dr. Shelley Dunson-Allen is on staff at Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, and Northside Hospital-Atlanta (Sandy Springs).
Dr. Dunson-Allen has a special interest in the management of abnormal uterine bleeding disorders, uterine fibroids, contraceptive management, and robotic laparoscopic/minimally invasive surgery.
Dr. Dunson-Allen is married, and she has two busy and active sons and two wonderful step-daughters. She is an active member of the Greater North Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking.
Marguerite Dorothy Doctor, MD, is an OB/GYN serving patients at Providence Women's Healthcare in Roswell, Suwanee, and Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Doctor was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Upon high school graduation, she matriculated to Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where she majored in biology. Her educational pursuits then led her to Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Upon completion of medical school, Dr. Doctor completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Dr. Doctor has served in various medical communities as a clinician and an associate professor teaching medical students and residents. She has served people in the states of California, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. She has also participated in medical and spiritual missions to Nairobi, Kenya, Haiti, The Bahamas, and Seoul, South Korea.
In addition to her medical pursuits, Dr. Doctor served as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy, serving on both Marine and Naval bases. Dr. Doctor entered a new season in life when she was called to preach the gospel. She is an ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. She completed the Master of Divinity and Master of Public Health dual degree program at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and Rollins School of Public Health. Dr. Doctor is now equipped to effect change not only on the individual level with her patients but on the community level as well.
Dr. Doctor is a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoys reading fiction and non-fiction and writing prose and poetry. She also enjoys visiting museums and listening to music including, but not limited to, contemporary jazz, classical, and gospel music.
“She is the first doctor that I believe really listened and tried to understand what I am experiencing. She was lovely and I felt so comfortable and hopeful. ”
Dr. Kiana Nezafat, MD, is the newest addition to the North Atlanta Ob/Gyn family. With a heart full of compassion and a dedication to women's health, Dr. Nezafat is delighted to welcome new patients at both the Marietta and Atlanta office locations.
Dr. Nezafat has a special connection to the community she serves. Growing up in the Acworth, Georgia, she developed a profound understanding of the unique healthcare needs of the area's women.
Her academic journey led her to the University of Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology. Fuelled by her passion for medicine and women's health, she went on to achieve her medical degree from Medical College of Georgia. Upon completing her education, she pursued residency training at The University of Florida in Jacksonville, Florida, where she honed her skills and expertise in obstetrics and gynecology.
Returning to her roots in Georgia, Dr. Nezafat is thrilled to contribute to the wellbeing of women in her community. Her enthusiasm for all aspects of Ob/Gyn care shines through, whether she's guiding high-risk pregnancies with empathy and expertise, performing minimally invasive surgeries, or providing general gynecological care.
One of Dr. Nezafat's core values is building lasting connections with her patients. She believes in the importance of cultivating strong relationships that are built on trust, understanding, and shared decision-making. Her commitment to evidence-based practices ensures that her patients receive the most comprehensive and up-to-date care available.
Beyond her medical pursuits, Dr. Nezafat finds joy in various hobbies. She relishes quality time with her family and embraces the opportunity to explore new destinations through travel. An advocate for a balanced and healthy lifestyle, she engages in regular exercise and enjoys experimenting with culinary creations in her kitchen. Her adventurous spirit extends to the world of cuisine as she savors the experience of trying new restaurants.
Thrilled to be back in her beloved north Atlanta, Dr. Nezafat looks forward to contributing her skills and compassion to the community she knows and loves. Her devotion to women's health, along with her warm and approachable demeanor, makes her a valuable asset to North Atlanta Ob/Gyn.
Kalie Vinson, MD, FACOG, is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia. Dr. Vinson sees patients ages 12 and up for in-office women’s wellness exams, contraceptive planning, prenatal care, menopausal consultations, and the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.
Dr. Vinson was raised in Milton, Georgia. After high school, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to earn her undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University, where she majored in neuroscience. She returned to Georgia to earn her medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and completed her OB/GYN residency training at Emory University in Atlanta. She started practicing gynecology in the same hospital where she was born, Northside Hospital in Georgia.
When she’s not at work, Dr. Vinson enjoys spending free time with her husband, Joseph, who is a psychiatrist in Atlanta, and her two kids. They love to take road trips and visit family in the North Georgia mountains.
Julie Zimmermann, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with over 28 years of experience at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia. She is committed to spending as much time with patients as needed, conducting thorough examinations, and discussing women’s health concerns along with potential treatment options to enable patients to make educated decisions about their health care.
Dr. Zimmermann started her educational journey with an undergraduate degree at Davidson College in North Carolina. She then moved to Atlanta to earn her medical degree at Emory University.
Before returning to Atlanta to join the team at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Zimmermann completed her OB/GYN residency in the Bronx, New York, at Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Zimmermann is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
When she’s not at work, Dr. Zimmermann enjoys theater, music, and spending time with her family.
Jeanette Leader, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia. Along with providing general gynecology and women’s health care, she uses her experience and passion to help women during pregnancy, labor, and birth — the most exciting time of their lives.
Dr. Leader earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She then traveled to Florida to fulfill her residency at Orlando Regional Hospital.
Recognized by the Atlanta Top Doctors Magazine, Dr. Leader was named a top physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2018-2021 and was also named Castle Connolly’s Exceptional Women in Medicine in 2020 and 2021.
To stay up-to-date with the latest in gynecology and obstetrics care, Dr. Leader is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Outside of work, Dr. Leader loves traveling the world (and has even been to all seven continents) with her daughter and husband and adores her rescue dog named Jet. She also enjoys reading all types of fiction, contemporary, mystery, young adult, fantasy, sci-fi and historical.
“If one advances confidently in the direction of [ones] dreams, and endeavors to live the life which [one] has imagined, [she] will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
Renita White, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia. Dr. White cares for women in all stages of life and treats a variety of conditions, including fibroids, menopause, and fertility.
Originally from Georgia, Dr. White earned her undergraduate degree at Duke University and medical degree at The Ohio State University. She then returned to Atlanta for her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Emory University.
Outside of work, Dr. White cohosts a podcast about pregnancy and motherhood. She also contributes to health articles to confirm patient education. In her spare time, Dr. White enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, two sons, and dog, Nala.
Education & Training
Duke University-Undergraduate
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Emory University-OBGYN Residency
Distinctions & Affiliations
Fellow, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Kel Harper, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with over three decades of experience, practicing at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia. Many of Dr. Harper’s patients start seeing him during their teen years and continue throughout the many stages of women’s health needs.
A lifelong resident of Georgia, Dr. Harper earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia in Athens before earning his medical degree at The Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. He then fulfilled his OB/GYN residency at the Greenville Hospital System (now called Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital) in Greenville, South Carolina, before returning home to join the experienced physicians at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dedicated to keeping up with advancements in obstetrics and gynecology best practices, Dr. Harper is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
When he’s not at work, Dr. Harper enjoys sports, especially football, and spending time with his three children.
Stephen Ayres, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia. He is committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate patient-centered care for women from adolescence through senior citizens. Many of Dr. Ayres' patients have been scheduling appointments with him for over a decade. Dr. Ayres is known for his caring nature and for putting patients at ease.
Originally from Tennessee, Dr. Ayres earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and his medical degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He stayed in Georgia to also complete both his residency and additional training at Emory University.
To stay up to date with the latest treatment options and technology and provide high-quality care, Dr. Ayres is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
When he’s not at work, Dr. Ayres enjoys golfing, watching football, and spending time with his wife and two children.
Nicole Blackburn MD, FACOG, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia. A long-time resident of the Orlando, Florida, area, Dr. Blackburn earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She moved to Atlanta to complete her OB/GYN residency training at Emory University, where she was selected as the administrative chief resident during her final year of residency. Dr. Blackburn enjoyed the Atlanta area so much she decided to stay after her residency and joined the physicians at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Blackburn has three little boys and two dogs. She enjoys cooking, watching college football, and spending time with her family. Education &Training: • Medical Education, University of Florida College of Medicine • Residency, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Emory Distinctions & Affiliations: • Board Certified, Obstetrics & Gynecology • Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology • Castle Connolly Top Doctor • Atlanta Parent’s Mom-Approved Doctor
Michelle Picon, MD, MPH, FACOG is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia. She finds every aspect of her career incredibly fulfilling, from delivering babies to performing surgery and treating a variety of gynecologic conditions. Her goal is to build lasting relationships with patients by offering high-quality, educational, and patient-centered care that honors diversity and empowers her patients to make the best decisions for their health and wellbeing. She is also proud to offer all services in Spanish.
Although she was raised in Rome, Georgia, Dr. Picon is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico and a native Spanish speaker. She attended Duke University, then moved to Miami, Florida to earn her Medical Degree and Masters of Public Health at the University of Miami. During her time there, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to complete a maternal-child health research project working with adolescent mothers in Cartagena, Colombia. She then completed her residency at Emory University, and practiced in the Atlanta area for a few years before joining Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Picon spends her free time with her husband, daughter, and their dog Coconut. She enjoys running, swimming, spending time outdoors, and traveling, especially family trips to Puerto Rico.
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