Medical Staff

Dr. Kate Williams received her Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University and her Doctor of Medicine from University of Pennsylvania Medical School. She completed her residency at Brown University Family Practice. Prior to joining PCHC in 2016 as Medical Director of Express, Dr. Williams had many years of experience in urgent care, occupational health, and primary care. Dr. Williams participated in “Shoulder to Shoulder”, a program that works to create and operate sustainable and accessible health, nutrition and education services in Honduras. Dr. Williams is fluent in Spanish. When not working, she enjoys reading, gardening, and hiking.

La Dra. Kate Williams recibió su Licenciatura de la Cornell University y su Doctorado en Medicina de la University of Pennsylvania. Completó su residencia en práctica familiar en la Brown University. Antes de unirse a PCHC en 2016 como Directora Médica de la Clínica Express de PCHC tuvo muchos años de experiencia en atención de urgencias, salud ocupacional y atención primaria. La Dra. Williams participó en un programa en Honduras llamado “Hombro a Hombro”, que trabaja para crear y operar servicios de salud, nutrición y educación que sean sostenibles y accesibles. La Dra. Williams habla español con fluidez. Cuando no trabaja, le gusta leer, jardinería y senderismo.

Melissa Mills, received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Master of Science in Physician Assistant from Seton Hall University. Prior to joining PCHC in 2018, Melissa worked for several years in urgent care facilities throughout Rhode Island including Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island’s Emergency Department. Melissa is happy to be working at PCHC and supporting the community. In her free time, she enjoys staying fit and working out.

Melissa Mills, recibió su Licenciatura en Biología y su Maestría en Ciencias en Asistente Médico de la Seton Hall University. Antes de unirse a PCHC en 2018, Melissa trabajó durante varios años en centros de atención de urgencias en todo Rhode Island, incluido el Departamento de Emergencias del Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island. Melissa está feliz de trabajar en PCHC y apoyar a la comunidad. En su tiempo libre, le gusta mantenerse en forma y hacer ejercicio.

Nelsy Robles Colon received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing—Family Nurse Practitioner from Northeastern University in Boston. Prior to joining PCHC’s Nurse Practitioner Residency in 2019, Nelsy worked as an Emergency Department nurse at The Miriam Hospital and other area hospitals. Nelsy has lived in Rhode Island since her family emigrated from the Dominican Republic in the ‘80s. She grew up in Providence and is a former PCHC patient. Nelsy is bilingual and embraces the opportunity to work with the local Hispanic community. In her free time, Nelsy enjoys exploring RI’s culinary cuisine. Nelsy is involved in a fitness program designed to build the mind and body. She is adventurous and hopes to travel to all the continents of the world with her daughter at her side.

Nelsy Robles Colon recibió su Bachillerato en Ciencias en Enfermería y su Maestría en Ciencias en Enfermería - Practicante de Enfermería Familiar de la Northeastern University en Boston. Antes de unirse a la residencia de profesionales de enfermería de PCHC en 2019, Nelsy trabajó como enfermera del departamento de emergencias en The Miriam Hospital y otros hospitales del área. Nelsy ha vivido en Rhode Island desde que su familia emigró de la República Dominicana en los años 80. Ella creció en Providence y es una ex paciente de PCHC. Nelsy es bilingüe y aprovecha la oportunidad de trabajar con la comunidad hispana local. En su tiempo libre, Nelsy disfruta explorando la cocina culinaria de RI. Nelsy participa en un programa de acondicionamiento físico diseñado para desarrollar la mente y el cuerpo. Ella es aventurera y espera viajar a todos los continentes del mundo con su hija a su lado.

Katie Chadurjian, PA-C, is a Physician Assistant with Express Care at Providence Community Health Center. She received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Studies in Worcester, MA. Katie graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology.
She previously worked as a Physician Assistant in the Emergency Departments at Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital. Katie has served as a Nurse Practitioner Preceptor at New England Institute of Technology and has been a guest lecturer in Physician Assistant programs at Bryant University and Johnson and Wales University.
In her free time, Katie enjoys hiking with her husband and daughter, participating in triathlons, and traveling as often as she can.

Katherine Chadurjian, PA-C, es asistente médico de la Clinica Express en Providence Community Health Center. Recibió su Maestría en Estudios de Asistente Médico de Facultad de Farmacia y Estudios de Salud de Massachusetts College en Worcester, MA. Se graduó de la Universidad de Vermont con una Licenciatura en Biología y Arte.
Anteriormente trabajó como asistente médica en los Departamentos de Emergencias del Rhode Island Hospital y el Miriam Hospital. Katherine se ha desempeñado como preceptora de enfermería en New England Institute of Technology y ha sido profesora invitada en programas de Asistente Médico en la Bryant University y Johnson and Wales University.

Diana Afonso, PA-C, is a Physician Assistant at Providence Community Health Centers. She received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Rutgers School of Medicine in New Jersey. Diana graduated from Providence College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She previously worked as a Physician Assistant at Pawtucket Pediatrics and Brown Emergency Medicine. Diana is also an adjunct professor at various PA university programs across Rhode Island. Diana enjoys spending time with her family, is a world traveler, professional dancer and loves celebrating her Portuguese heritage.

Diana Afonso, PA-C, es una Asistente Médica en Providence Community Health Centers. Obtuvo su Maestría en Estudios de Asistente Médico en la Escuela de Medicina de Rutgers en New Jersey. Diana se graduó de Providence College con una Licenciatura en Ciencias en Biología y una Licenciatura en Artes en Español. Anteriormente trabajó como Asistente Médica en Pawtucket Pediatrics y Brown Emergency Medicine. Diana también es profesora adjunta en varios programas universitarios de PA en todo Rhode Island. A Diana le gusta pasar tiempo con su familia, es una viajera del mundo, bailarina profesional y le encanta celebrar su herencia portuguesa.

Nicole D. Burns, FNP, is a nurse practitioner at our Express Care site on Prairie Avenue. Since 2016, she has worked as a family nurse practitioner in both hospital and community based care. Prior to that she worked as a pediatric intensive care nurse for 8 years. Her experience includes urgent care medicine, primary care, women’s health and pediatrics with a personal focus on holistic healthcare practices.
She received both her Masters of Science in Nursing in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduating Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Rhode Island. Nicole is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and the ocean, practicing yoga, hiking, running, as well as spending time with her family and her dog.

Nicole D. Burns en una Enfermera Familiar Especializada en la clínica de PCHC Express localizada en la Prairie Avenue. Desde 2016, Nicole ha trabajado como enfermera de familia en la atención hospitalaria y comunitaria. Trabajó durante 8 años como enfermera de cuidados intensivos pediátricos. Su experiencia incluye medicina de atención de urgencia, atención primaria, salud de la mujer y pediatría con un enfoque personal en las prácticas de atención médica holística.
Nicole recibió su Maestría en Ciencias en Enfermería en el Programa de Enfermeras Especializadas en Medicina Familiar y su Licenciatura en Ciencias en Enfermería, graduándose con alto honor en Summa Cum Laude, de la University of Rhode Island. Nicole está certificada por la Academia Americana de Enfermeras Especializadas. En su tiempo libre, disfruta del aire libre y el océano, practicando yoga, senderismo, corriendo, al igual que pasando tiempo con su familia y su perro.

Sarah Gaines, MD, who joined Providence Community Health Centers in 2022, has enjoyed two decades of practicing Emergency Medicine at numerous hospitals across the country, including locally at the Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam where she worked for past 12 years. A graduate of Georgetown University School of Medicine, she was Fellowship-trained in Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University and completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, where she served as Chief Resident. Dr. Gaines’ background focuses on medical education and patient communication. She is an Associate Professor (Clinical) in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University. In her free time, Dr. Gaines enjoys anything active and being outside with her friends and family.

Sarah Gaines, MD, quien se unió a Providence Community Health Centers en el año 2022, ha disfrutado de dos décadas de práctica en Medicina de Emergencia en hospitales a través del país, incluidos localmente están el Rhode Island Hospital y el Miriam Hospital, donde trabajó durante los últimos 12 años. Graduada de la Facultad de Medicina del Georgetown University, fue becada en Medicina de Emergencia en la Oregon Health & Science University y completó su residencia en Medicina de Emergencia en la University of Pittsburgh, donde se desempeñó como Jefe de Residentes.Los trabajos de la Dra. Gaines se han centrado en la educación médica y la comunicación con el paciente. Es Profesora Asociada (clínica) en el Departamento de Medicina de Emergencia de la Escuela de Medicina Warren Alpert de la Brown University. En su tiempo libre, la Dra. Gaines disfruta de actividades que la mantengan activa y compartir con sus amigos y familiares.

Dr. Kathleen O’Heelan received her Doctor of Osteopathy from Des Moines University, graduating with honors as a member of Sigma Sigma Phi, the national osteopathic medicine honors society. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. O’Heelan has provided adult primary care and family medicine in a variety of settings, most recently with Coastal Medical. She completed her Family Medicine residency at Underwood Memorial Hospital in New Jersey.
Dr. O’Heelan is a North American Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.
Dr. O’Heelan is enjoying learning Spanish and looking forward to traveling to South America soon.

Dr. Shideh Shafie is an Express Care provider with Providence Community Health Centers. A graduate of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, she also attended Dartmouth School of Medicine. Dr. Shafie was Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship-trained at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, where she also completed her Emergency Medicine Residency. She also completed one year residencies in Surgery and Urology at Rhode Island Hospital. Dr. Shafie received her undergraduate degree from University of Massachusetts-Amherst in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
She has won several awards for clinical and teaching excellence including the 2020 Physician of the Year award from the Rhode Island chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Dr. Shafie has served in numerous university teaching and mentoring roles, currently serving at The Warren Alpert Medical School as the Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship Director and an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Shafie is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
In her free time, Dr. Shafie enjoys cooking and playing tennis.

Dr. Shideh Shafie La Dra. Shideh Shafie es una proveedora de atención en la clínica Express del Providence Community Health Centers. Graduada de la Facultad de Medicina Warren Alpert de la Brown University, también asistió a la Facultad de Medicina de Dartmouth. La Dra. Shafie se capacitó en Ultrasonido de Emergencia en el Centro Médico Maimonides en Brooklyn, donde también completó su residencia en Medicina de Emergencia. También completó residencias de un año en Cirugía y Urología en el Rhode Island Hospital. La Dra. Shafie recibió su Licenciatura en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de la Universidad de Massachusetts-Amherst, graduándose Summa Cum Laude.
Ha ganado varios premios por su excelencia clínica y docente, incluido el premio al Médico del Año 2020 del capítulo de Rhode Island del American College of Emergency Physicians. La Dra. Shafie se ha desempeñado en numerosos puestos de enseñanza universitaria y tutoría, y actualmente se desempeña en la Facultad de Medicina Warren Alpert como directora de pasantias de Ultrasonido de Emergencia y profesora asistente de Medicina de Emergencia. La Dra. Shafie es miembro del Colegio Americano de Médicos de Emergencia.
En su tiempo libre, a la Dra. Shafie le gusta cocinar y jugar al tenis.