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.
I went into medicine in order to become an obstetrician and gynecologist. I fell in love with the obstetrical part of women’s care because of the involvement in the miracle of birth. In my opinion, there is no happier part of medicine. I am also drawn to the challenges of gynecology, and I am proud to be able to aid in women’s healthcare from adolescence to post-menopause and all that falls in between.
Residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Greenville Memorial Hospital, Greenville, S.C., 2002
M.D. Degree, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, 1998
Announcing Castle Connolly’s 2023 Exceptional Women in Medicine
The Exceptional Women in Medicine list recognizes female Castle Connolly Top Doctors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, expertise and dedication in their respective fields. All Exceptional Women in Medicine are nominated by their peers, and then the Castle Connolly research team evaluates important criteria to determine who makes the list.
Since I was little, I can remember wanting to deliver babies. My fascination with how new life came to be only grew as I became older, and this eventually led to me pursuing a career in obstetrics. As my education progressed I began to realize how much I also loved caring for women though out their lives, not just during their pregnancies. I truly cherish the long-term relationships I am able to maintain with my patients, and help to take care of them at the best and worst of times. Being able to make even a small difference in someone’s life, especially during difficult times, is what keeps me going!
Residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint Joseph Hospital, Chicago Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program, Chicago, IL
M.D. Degree, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, IL
B.S. Degree, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Dr Sheema Khan-Simba speaks English, Urdu and Hindi.
Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates provides comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology care to women of all ages in Northwest Atlanta with locations in Marietta and Powder Springs, Georgia. The expert team of board-certified physicians, registered nurse practitioners, and medical assistants offer personalized care in a comfortable environment, helping women navigate every stage of life.
Women can appreciate the office’s commitment to maintaining a clean and welcoming space. The supportive atmosphere ensures everyone feels comfortable and well cared for during their visit. Every provider undergoes extensive training to manage high-risk pregnancies and deliver babies at the state-of-the-art birthing center at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.
Whether patients visit for contraception counseling, gestational diabetes screening, or a multifetal pregnancy appointment, they can rest assured their medical team will provide thorough and compassionate care. The team’s educational approach means patients receive clear explanations and answers to their questions, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health.
The team equips the office with the most advanced treatments and technology, ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care. From hydrothermal ablation to minimally invasive surgery (robotic surgery) with the da Vinci® Surgical System, patients benefit from cutting-edge options for a wide range of gynecological needs.
Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates’ emphasis on advanced treatments extends to gentle pain management with Pro-Nox™ — a self-administered nitrous oxide system. Pro-Nox helps ease discomfort during procedures, allowing patients to feel more relaxed and in control. This focus on pain management makes each visit as comfortable as possible.
Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates is currently accepting new patients and works with most major insurance carriers. Call or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.
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.
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.
Kalie Vinson, MD, FACOG, is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia. Dr. Vinson sees patients 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.
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. After residency, she joined the physicians at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Blackburn welcomes all types of obstetric and gynecologic patients. She particularly loves building long term doctor-patient relationships, from assisting with their contraceptive needs, to delivering their babies, to guiding them through menopause.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 encourage patient education. In her spare time, Dr. White enjoys traveling, reading, Pilates, and trying new restaurants.
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
I feel priviliged to be involved in some of the most intimate and emotional experiences in our female patients’ lives. The relationships forged during childbirth through menopause and beyond makes the practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology rewarding. It is exciting to help women implement new and innovative ways of managing these situations.
Residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory University, Atlanta, G.A. 2006
M.D. Degree, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 2002
B.S. Degree, Biology, University of Georgia, GA, 1998
I have always been drawn to women’s healthcare and health issues. I take pride and honor in being able to care for women from adolescence, to pregnancy, to post-menopause. It is a privilege to help a family bring a new life into this world but also to be there for the female healthcare issues throughout the stages of life.
Residency training in Obstetrics & Gynecology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
M.D. Degree, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado
M.P.H., M.B.S., Tufts University School of Medicine , Boston, Massachusetts
I chose this field of medicine to make a different in the lives of women. I was drawn to this field by experiencing the miracle of birth as a medical student. It is one of the happiest times in people’s lives and being a part of that every day is truly a very rewarding experience. I am also very passionate about women’s health care and this field allows me to care for women from their teenage years until menopause and beyond. I enjoy being able to specialize care for women and help them through this journey of womanhood!
Residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, 2012
M.D. Degree, Wayne State University Scholl of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 2008
B.S. Degree, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, 2003
Since I was little, I can remember wanting to deliver babies. My fascination with how new life came to be only grew as I became older, and this eventually led to me pursuing a career in obstetrics. As my education progressed I began to realize how much I also loved caring for women though out their lives, not just during their pregnancies. I truly cherish the long-term relationships I am able to maintain with my patients, and help to take care of them at the best and worst of times. Being able to make even a small difference in someone’s life, especially during difficult times, is what keeps me going!
Residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint Joseph Hospital, Chicago Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program, Chicago, IL
M.D. Degree, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, IL
B.S. Degree, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Dr Sheema Khan-Simba speaks English, Urdu and Hindi.
I went into medicine in order to become an obstetrician and gynecologist. I fell in love with the obstetrical part of women’s care because of the involvement in the miracle of birth. In my opinion, there is no happier part of medicine. I am also drawn to the challenges of gynecology, and I am proud to be able to aid in women’s healthcare from adolescence to post-menopause and all that falls in between.
Residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Greenville Memorial Hospital, Greenville, S.C., 2002
M.D. Degree, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, 1998
Announcing Castle Connolly’s 2023 Exceptional Women in Medicine
The Exceptional Women in Medicine list recognizes female Castle Connolly Top Doctors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, expertise and dedication in their respective fields. All Exceptional Women in Medicine are nominated by their peers, and then the Castle Connolly research team evaluates important criteria to determine who makes the list.
