Our Physicians

Mia Adriano, MD

Traci Jensen, DO

Karla Birkholz, MD

Crystal Heiligenthal, PA-C

Michael Brown, DO

Cristi Lee, PA-C

Purna Chettri, MD

Degrees: MD, American University of the Caribbean, St. Maarten, Netherlands, 2005. MPH, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, Calif.

Residency: Phoenix Baptist Family Medicine Residency Program, Phoenix, Ariz., 2006.

Clinical interests: Preventive medicine; women and children's health.

Philosophy of care: Dr. Adriano believes that everyone has the right to quality heath care delivered with compassion and humanity. She is a strong advocate of health education and believes in forming a partnership with her patients to enable them to make informed decisions about their own health. She also understands that a patient's support system is vital to his or her health. Further, she encourages family-centered care — whether it is for a parent helping a child, and adult helping a patent, or any family or friend helping another.

Hobbies and personal interests: Spending time with her husband and children. Together they enjoy outdoor activities and traveling. Dr. Adriano likes to stay active through crossfit, running, and hot yoga. She also enjoys exploring her creative side through cooking, arts and crafts.

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Degree: MD, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minn., 1978

Residency: Phoenix Baptist Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Phoenix, Ariz, 1983. Specialty: Family practice.

Fellowship: University of Arizona College of Medicine Department of Family & Community Medicine, Tucson, Ariz., 1988. Specialty: Family and community medicine.

Clinical interests: Wellness medicine (Dr. Birkholz also serves as medical director of Wellness Elements, a program of the John C. Lincoln Physician Network), as well as heart attack, stroke and diabetes prevention. Her involvement with organized medicine includes serving as past president of the Arizona Academy of Family Medicine, board member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, executive committee member of the Arizona Medical Association, and participation on many state and national committees. At the community level, her efforts are directed primarily in the area of adolescent health, and she is medical director of the Arizona Collaborative for Adolescent Health.

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Degree: DO, Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Phoenix, Ariz., 2007.

Residency: John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital, Phoenix, Ariz., 2009. Specialty: family medicine.

Residency: Kingman Regional Medical Center, Kingman, Ariz., 2010. Specialty: family medicine.

Clinical interests: Sports medicine and orthopedics from a family medicine perspective.

Philosophy of care: "To develop a partnership with patients to deliver personal, continuing and comprehensive health care in a compassionate, ethical and caring environment."

Hobbies and personal interests: Spending time with his wife and two sons. Dr. Brown is also an accomplished triathlete who has completed more than 100 triathlons, including 5 Ironman races. Exercise and a healthy diet are his keys to a happy, healthy and energetic life.

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Degree: MD, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, 1988.

Residency: Phoenix Baptist Family Medicine Residency Program, Phoenix, Ariz., 2009. Specialty: Family medicine.

Training: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, King George's Medical University, 1989. Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathkmandu, Nepal, 2001.

Clinical interests: Providing care to the "whole individual" in a medically oriented way.

Philosophy of care: Dr. Chettri emphasizes the importance of caring for patients in a very kind, empathetic manner and wants them to know that he "gives all of his best work to help his patients." To stay healthy, he recommends that patients "watch what they eat and exercise at least 5 times per week."

Other languages spoken: Hindi and Nepali

Hobbies and personal interests: Travel and enjoying nature, as well as listening to jazz and rock music. He also helps newly arrived refugees resettle and advocates for human rights.

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Degree: DO, Midwestern University - Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, Ariz., 2006.

Residency: Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale, Ariz., 2009. Specialty: Family medicine.

Clinical interests: Women's health, preventive medicine and adolescent health.

Philosophy of care: Dr. Jensen is passionate about helping her patients take an active approach in their medical care. She serves as her patients’ primary health care provider, emphasizing wellness.

Hobbies and personal interests: Spinning, hiking, reading, traveling and spending time with her husband and daughter.

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Degree: PA, Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program, Glendale, Ariz., 2008.

Clinical interests: Internal medicine, women's care and preventive medicine.

Philosophy of care: Crystal is passionate in educating patients, allowing patients to play a role in their care. She believes that together, with the patient's active participation, we can achieve a higher standard of care.

Hobbies and personal interests: Watching and playing tennis, as well as reading and traveling.

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Degrees: PA, Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program, Glendale, Ariz., 2007.

Clinical interests: Adolescent and adult medicine; prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases; HIV and STD education and prevention; sports medicine and injuries; and breast cancer awareness.

Philosophy of care: Working together, with the patient, to achieve better health and wellness.

Hobbies and personal interests: Travel, books and her three wonderful dogs.

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