Core Faculty
Carlos Arauco, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Residency: Columbus-Cabrini Medical Center / Northwestern University Medical School
Medical School: University Nacional Federico Villareal-Facultad de Medicina Hipolito Unanue
Areas of Interest: Low risk and High risk obstetrics; multiple pregnancies, Di/Di, Mono/Di twins. Evaluation and management of infertility. Congenital anomalies. Diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy; Optimizing diagnostic and treatment of uterine fibroids, myomectomy. Chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis/adenomyosis. Endometrial trauma and intrauterine adhesive disorders. Advanced vNOTE surgery in minimally invasive gynecology. Post menopause evaluation and management.
Hobbies: Medical Misiones, serve the underserved population. Passionate about teaching. Health maintenance by exercise and healthy nutrition. Traveling and exploring new places. Landscaping and gardening. Beach.
Lakeema Bruce, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Residency: UF-Pensacola OBGYN Residency Program at Ascension Sacred Heart
Medical School: Florida State University College of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Complex, robotic assisted surgery
Hobbies: Reading, painting, vacationing with family, and relaxing on the beach
Shahira Hanna, M.D.
Associate Professor
Residency: Hahnemann University Hospital
Medical School: Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania
Areas of Interest: After 30 years in private practice, now enjoying full time academic medicine, training our next generation of doctors. Special interest in robotic surgery with 15 years of experience
Hobbies: Outdoor life and activities
Mary Alice Johnston, M.D.
Program Director
Residency: University of Connecticut
Medical School: Penn State University College of Medicine
Areas of Interest: clinical interests including minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, the evaluation and management of infertility, advanced operative hysteroscopy, and multiple gestations antepartum and intrapartum care. Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Johnston enjoys spending time with her husband and children, swimming, practicing yoga, traveling to explore new destinations.
Hobbies: spending time at the beach, yoga, and exploring new places
Joseph Peterson, M.D.
Associate Professor
Residency: FSU-Pensacola OBGYN Residency Program at Ascension Sacred Heart
Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Areas of Interest: robotic and minimally invasive surgery
Hobbies: outdoor activities, reading and computers
Sharon Seidel, M.D., FACOG
Associate Professor, Associate Program Director
Residency: FSU-Pensacola OBGYN Residency Program at Ascension Sacred Heart
Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Infertility, complex obstetrics, vaginal surgery
Hobbies: traveling with family, reading, outdoor activities
Steven DeCesare, M.D.
Associate Professor, Director, Gynecologic Oncology
Fellowship: University of South Florida Moffitt Cancer Center
Residency: University of South Florida Medical Center
Medical School: University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey
Areas of Interest: Hobbies: bike riding, weight lifting, and computers.
https://healthcare.ascension.org/find-care/provider/1770535114/steven-decesare
Subspecialist Faculty
Neil Patel, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Maternal Fetal Medicine
Fellowship: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Residency: University of Missouri- Kansas City
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Areas of Interest: advanced ultrasound diagnostics
Hobbies: early morning workouts, traveling to experience new cultures and cuisines, and spending time with his wife and family
https://healthcare.ascension.org/find-care/provider/1811421050/neil-patel
Henry Roque, M.D., M.S., B.A.
Assistant Professor, Maternal Fetal Medicine
Fellowship: New York University
Residency: Hartford Hospital
Medical School: SUNY Health Science Center
Areas of Interest: treating clotting disorders during pregnancy
Hobbies: swimming, playing guitar and spending time with his four sons.
https://healthcare.ascension.org/find-care/provider/1578560991/henry-roque
William Schwartz, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Director, Maternal Fetal Medicine
Fellowship: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Residency: University of Missouri Kansas City
Medical School: University of Missouri - Kansas City
Areas of Interest: treating chronic hypertension and unborn babies that are small for their gestational age.
Hobbies: spending time with his wife and their three daughters. He enjoys bird hunting, boating, scuba diving, and fishing. Dr. Schwartz is an avid college football and basketball fan.
https://healthcare.ascension.org/find-care/provider/1467428854/william-schwartz
Barry Ripps, M.D.
Professor, Director, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Fellowship: University of Tennessee-Memphis
Residency: University of Tennessee-Memphis
Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Areas of Interest: extensive research and publications in the areas of endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, female and male factor infertility and assisted reproduction. Dr. Ripps was also a pioneer in laparoscopic surgery with an emphasis on conservative management of endometriosis-associated infertility and tubal ligation reversal.
Hobbies: golfing, volunteering, watersports, playing the guitar and ballroom dance.
Stuart Shippey, M.D.
Associate Professor, Residency Research Director
Director, Urogynecology/Female Pelvic Medicine And Reconstructive Surgery
Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University
Residency: National Capital Consortium Residency in OB / GYN
Medical School: Uniformed Services University School of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Pelvic floor disorders - vaginal prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, urethral diverticulae, vaginal fistulas, complications of gynecologic surgery
Hobbies: Running, lifting, swimming, cycling, sailing, dancing, church, family
https://healthcare.ascension.org/find-care/provider/1447236906/stuart-shippey
Part-Time Faculty
Erin Bailey, M.D.
Teaching Faculty
Residency: UF-Pensacola OBGYN Residency Program at Ascension Sacred Heart
Medical School: East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine
Areas of Interest: substance use disorder in pregnancy, minimally invasive surgery and family planning
Hobbies: exploring and traveling with her husband and spending time with her dog and cat
Suzanne Bush, M.D.
Associate Professor
Residency: OBGYN Residency Program at Sacred Heart Hospital
Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
Areas of Interest: teaching general obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Bush has additional certification in Menopause Medicine and loves to educate students and residents on the topic of health issues in women of midlife and beyond.
Hobbies: mentoring young health professionals at any stage of their career, traveling, and gardening
Deborah Edgeworth, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Residency: Keesler Medical Center
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
John Grammer, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Residency: University Hospital-New Orleans
Medical School: Medical College of Virginia
Pamela Hyde, D.O.
Assistant Professor
Residency: Michigan Hospital and Medical Center
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Jonathan Stralka, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Residency: San Antonio Uniform Services Health Education Consortium
Medical School: Loyola Stritch School of Medicine
Areas of Interest: His professional career has focused on maintaining a full scope OBGYN practice in labor and delivery, gynecologic surgery, basic infertility, the evaluation/management of urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse. His clinical areas of interest include robotic gynecologic surgery and complicated obstetrics.
Hobbies: He and his wife are the proud parents of 3 children. His personal interests include fishing, spending time with his family, and being in the great outdoors.
Briana Thompson, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Residency: FSU-Pensacola OBGYN Residency at Ascension Sacred Heart
Medical School: Florida State University College of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Obstetric care, adolescent gyn care and contraception
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, reading a good book, and art projects with my son