Meet Our Staff

Dr. Mary Bell Vaughn

Dr. Vaughn is a lifelong Georgia resident, and was raised in Atlanta. She completed her under-graduate education at the University of the South, Sewanee in Tennessee. Dr. Vaughn graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia. She completed three years of Internal Medicine Residency at the Medical Center of Central Georgia also located in Macon. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and is on staff at Navicent Rehabilitation Hospital.

Dr. Vaughn additionally focused on the topics of Gynecology, Nutrition and Dermatology during her training. She writes articles and gives lectures on current health issues throughout Central Georgia. She is a member of the American Medical Association, Bibb County Medical Association, and the American Medical Women’s Association.

Dr. Daryl Remick

Dr. Daryl Remick graduated from Georgia Health Sciences University/Medical College of Georgia. He earned a BS in Industrial Management at Georgia Institute of Technology in 1984. Dr Remick held a variety of leadership positions during multiple overseas deployments. Highest decorations: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal (2). From 2008-2012 he was a medical student at Medical College of Georgia.

From September 2008 to present, Dr Remick is serving as Georgia Army National Guard Medical Service Corps/Medical Corps Officer. From 2012-2015 he served as Resident Physician at Southwest Georgia Family Residency Program in Albany Georgia. From 2014-2015 he worked over 500 hours moonlighting as solo ER physician at critical access hospitals in Worth County, Ben Hill County and Monroe County, Georgia. Since 2015, he has worked as a full time ER physician at Monroe County Hospital in Forsyth, Georgia.

Dr Remick enjoys running, orienteering, shooting, hunting, fishing, farming and cooking.

Erin F Caves, RN, FNP

Erin is a Georgia native. She graduated from Georgia College and State University with a Master’s of Science in Nursing and her Family Nurse Practitioner certification. Her background is a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of West Georgia with her RN certification.

She has worked in a local level 1 trauma emergency center, both as a registered nurse and in internal medicine and pediatrics as a nurse practitioner. Her experiences have made her a seasoned practitioner with a broad range of skills.

Erin is very involved in the middle Georgia community. She is an active member of Mabel White Baptist Church and is raising her family in Jones County. She brings 13 Years of Experience of knowledge to Vineville Internal Medicine. Primary care is her passion.

Ashley Dykes, RN, FNP-C

Ashley attended Georgia Southern University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Nursing. After several years of clinical practice, she attended South University and received her Masters of Science in Nursing.

As a registered nurse, Ashley began her career at Houston Medical Center on the pulmonary floor. After several years, she transitioned to the resource team that required floating to different floors of the hospital each shift (Intermediate care, Pulmonary, Cardiac, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, General medical, etc.). Prior to joining VIM, Ashley worked as a nurse practitioner in Occupational Medicine. Ashley has a passion for healthcare and focuses on comprehensively caring for patients. She joined VIM in January of 2018 and brings over 13 years of medical experience to the practice.

Ashley is originally from Georgia and was raised in Peach County. She currently lives there with her husband and their two sons. Ashley and her family are members of Centerpoint Church. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading and gardening in her spare time.

SHANDORA HAYMAN-JONES, RN, FNP

Shandora is a lifelong Georgia resident raised in Forsyth. She graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of science in nursing and continued at Georgia College and State University to receive a Master of Science in nursing. She received her Family Nurse Practitioner certification from the ANCC. She began working as a surgical/neuro ICU registered nurse in Valdosta GA for 2 years then transferred to Macon in their Neuro/Surgical/Medical ICU for 3 years. At this time, she went back to school to earn her NP degree and certification, then worked for 7 years in the emergency room at Navicent. After that she decided to work in an office setting and has worked in Internal Medicine for the past 13 years. Shandora has developed a broad range of skills working at an ER and in an office setting including: diabetes, HTN, cardiology, COPD, Asthma, ENT, CVA, thyroid problems, joint and bone issues, autoimmune diseases, dermatology including removal of simple cyst and draining of abscesses, women’s healthcare, and gastrointestinal complaints. She is trained and certified in bioidentical pellet insertion and management. She brings a total of 30 years of medical experience to Vineville Internal Medicine.

SHANNON ETHRIDGE, RN, FNP-C

Shannon was born and raised in Macon, Georgia. She attended The Medical College of Georgia and graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008. Upon graduation, she worked as a staff RN in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit until 2014 when she graduated with her Masters of Science in Nursing Degree Family Nurse Practitioner from Georgia Regents University (formerly The Medical College of Georgia). She started her Family Nurse Practitioner career at a Family Practice in Fort Valley, Georgia where she realized her passion for providing primary care. She thoroughly enjoys caring for all aspects of her patients from preventative care to managing chronic disease processes to acute problem care. She takes pride in helping her patients walk through every stage of life in the healthiest way possible. In 2021, Shannon brought her career back home to Macon and joined Vineville Internal Medicine. She brings over 10 years of nurse practitioner experience. She and her husband, Chad, are active members of the community. In her personal time, Shannon enjoys growing flowers, and spending time with her family.

SARAH PURSER, RN, FNP

Sarah was born and raised in Middle Georgia. She graduated from Jones County High School, then pursued her nursing degree at Georgia College & State University, where she graduated with a BSN in 2006. After graduation, she gained experience in labor and delivery and then spent 10 years in the endocrinology field. She acquired her MSN with Family Nurse Practitioner Certification in 2019 from South University. Her experience also includes long-term care and geriatrics. Sarah has one daughter and continues to reside in Jones County. Her favorite pastimes include shopping, traveling, and watching the Braves.

KRISTA KEEN, RN, FNP

Krista has been in healthcare for 13+ years. She graduated from Hawkinsville Highschool in 2005. She worked as Registered Nurse and a charge nurse at Perry hospital for 8 years prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner. After becoming a Nurse Practitioner she worked in urgent care and family medicine for 4+ years. She obtained her Bachelors degree from Georgia Southern University and her Masters degree from South University in Savannah. She loves being able to help people achieve their best selves. She and her husband have been married for almost 13 years and have 3 beautiful children. They have a cat, a dog, and 9 chickens. Krista loves spending time with her family, watching the Georgia Bulldogs, reading, and the outdoors. She and a group of friends have started a nonprofit fundraiser to collect shoes for foster children in the Middle Georgia area in honor of her daughter, who passed away in July 2020. It is called Shoes for Ellie.

JENNA FRANZ, RN, FNP

Jenna is a native of middle Georgia. She graduated from Macon State College and worked as a registered nurse for over 25 years, before pursuing an advanced degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from South University. Jenna has 3 children, 8 grandchildren whom she adores, and a great grandchild on the way. She loves to garden and has a passion for roses.

Tammy Hughes NP

Tammy Hughes graduated from Barry University in Miami, Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, specializing in Surgical/Trauma ICU at teaching hospitals in Miami, Jacksonville, and San Diego. In 1998 she decided to further her education at University of San Diego, obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing and becoming a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. As a military spouse she has had the opportunity to work in a variety of specialties including Family Practice, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Cardiology, and Urgent Care. Tammy and her family have made Warner Robins, Georgia their home since 2009 where they have raised their twin daughters and three dogs. Tammy has a passion for diabetes and women’s health. Her goal is to form lasting relationships with patients that help them achieve their optimal health. When she is not working Tammy enjoys Auburn Football, pickle ball, exercise, and spending time at the lake with her family. Tammy brings over 30 years of nursing experience to Vineville Internal Medicine.

Jarrett Mitchell, NP

Jarrett is a native of Lizella, Ga and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the VIM Team. He graduated with his Bachelors in Nursing from Middle Georgia State university and subsequently spent the next 8 1/2 years in the ER both as a staff and travel nurse and also has experience in Vascular & Cardiac Care. Jarrett attended graduate school at Valdosta state University where he attained his Masters of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner emphasis. Jarrett has a passion for caring for the rural-based population and minimizing health disparities in that population. He also has a passion for caring for those with diabetes and seeing patients’ health improve despite dealing with a chronic illness. Jarrett is married to his beautiful wife of five years Hallie. They have two boys and are expecting a third soon. In his spare time, Jarrett enjoys cooking, playing golf, fishing, and spending time with his family.

Jennifer Woodall, NP

Jennifer was born and raised in south Georgia. She Graduated from South University in Savannah with her Masters of Science in Nursing and her Family Nurse Practitioner Certification. Prior to that she obtained her Associates and Bachelors degrees from Darton State College in Albany GA where she graduated with honors and was her nursing class president. She comes with 11 years of Nursing experience and is a Board Certified Geriatric Nurse and a Certified Dementia Practitioner. Her background includes Women’s Health and Geriatric primary care. She has also worked inpatient at the local hospital for several years. Prior to  becoming an NP she was Director of Nursing for six years at local nursing facilities. Her experience and background have made her a seasoned NP with many different skill sets.

Melissa Belflowers, NP

Melissa is a Palm Beach, Florida native and moved to Perry, Georgia with her family in 1998. She started her nursing career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 2003. She worked as an LPN on the cardiac floor and in the Emergency Department of Houston Healthcare Complex (formerly Houston Medical Center) before accepting a position with a primary care provider in 2004. She worked this position for several years before accepting a position with a local orthopaedic here in Macon, Georgia. She soon realized she wanted to expand her nursing role and went back to obtain her degree as a Registered Nurse from Macon State College, where she graduated with Honors, in 2012 while continuing to work. In her role for the orthopaedic group, she worked as the Lead Nurse Extender overseeing and managing the care of their postoperative orthopedic and orthopedic trauma patients for the last sixteen-and-half years. In 2013, she also started working part-time for Atrium Health Navicent as a clinical nurse in the Urgent Care facility. She has held both roles for the past 10 years. Melissa realized that she wanted to advance her career and started her journey back to school. In 2023, she graduated from Mercer University with her Master of Science in Nursing degree in Family Nurse Practitioner. She started her Family Nurse Practitioner career here at Vineville Internal Medicine in 2024. Melissa enjoys caring for all aspects of her patients. She believes in empowering and educating her patients to help them understand the importance of caring for themselves. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys shopping for clothes (her number one hobby), working out, kayaking, going to church, and relaxing.

KIM JOHNSON, RN, FNP (PERRY LOCATION)

Kim has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing from Valdosta State University and holds a Master’s of Science in Nursing from Georgia College and State University where she was named Graduate Nursing Student of the Year. She was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing as well as Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society upon graduation. Kim currently carries a Family Nurse Practitioner Certification. She brings 32 years of nursing experience to Vineville Internal Medicine. Kim has practiced as a Nurse Practitioner in the Middle Georgia area for more than twelve years. Her experience includes Internal Medicine, Family Practice and Urgent Care. Prior to her extensive experience in primary care and family practice, Kim practiced as a Registered Nurse in a variety of settings to include Critical Care and Surgery. Kim brings a wide range of seasoned skills and proficiency when caring for her patients. She fervently manages the patient’s primary, preventive, and acute care needs. Kim is a resident of Unadilla, GA and is the proud parent of three beautiful girls. She is a passionate University of Georgia Football fanatic and enjoys cheering for the DAWGS each fall football season. She enjoys spending time with Fergus, her Wonder Doodle. Kim attends St. Andrews church in Fort Valley, GA. Kim is excited to be a part of the Perry Business Community.

GINA WILEY, RN, FNP (PERRY LOCATION)

Vineville Internal Medicine welcomes Gina Wiley. She has been a Family Nurse Practitioner for over 5 years. She has worked in the areas of Family Practice and Urgent Care. She received her Master’s in Nursing degree from Walden University. Prior to that, she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Jacksonville University. She worked for over 7 years in the area of critical care at Coliseum Hospital in Macon (now known as Piedmont). Gina brings 15 years of nursing experience to Vineville Internal Medicine. Prior to her nursing career, Gina obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Georgia Southern University. She worked in many homes and businesses in the middle Georgia area for 10 years making their spaces beautiful. During this time, she felt the pull to the medical field because of a strong desire to help people and make a difference in hers and surrounding communities. She volunteered her time with Meals On Wheels and in the local nursing home giving manicures and talking with residents. It was these experiences that led her to the path of nursing. Gina was raised in Hawkinsville, GA and still resides there with her husband and daughter. Her son is serving with the United States Army. In her free time, Gina enjoys gardening, hiking, cooking and spending time with her family and pets. She has dogs, cats, and famous chickens that have their own Facebook page called Fowl Play!

BRIANA BIRDSONG, MD

Dr. Birdsong is originally from Baltimore but came to Macon for her Internal Medicine Residency at Atrium and fell in love with our beautiful city.  She and her husband, Dr. Brian Birdsong, bought a house and settled into our community 5 years ago.  Brian is a practicing Inpatient Psychiatrist with Coliseum Piedmont Hospital.  Dr. Birdsong and her husband are members of Idle Hour.  She has two miniature goldendoodles and enjoys reading, pickleball and golf.

Katie Aldridge, NP-C

Kaite has been a RN since 2013. She completed her Master’s at Georgia College and State University in 2017. Katie has worked in gastroenterology and primary care. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Vineville Internal Medicine!