We do not bill insurance for our care - its so affordable!
We do not accept insurance
We charge a monthly membership fee
Your insurance can be used for labs, studies, & referrals
Althea Tyndall-Smith MD, MS
Board-Certified in Family Medicine
Dr. Tyndall-Smith moved to Gainesville in 2013 from York, Pennsylvania. She started her career in medicine in 2005, at York Hospital, one of the oldest community family medicine residency programs in the country, after graduating from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. She also worked for a federally qualified health clinic in York, Pennsylvania. As a result of Dr. Tyndall-Smith’s commitment to medical volunteer work for several programs in the City of York, she was awarded the Community Ambassador APEX Award by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers. She relocated to Gainesville to be closer to family and joined the University of Florida as a clinical assistant professor in the Community Health and Family Medicine Department where she taught medical students, saw patients at one of the outpatient clinics and was a part of the College of Medicine Interview Committee.
Dr. Tyndall-Smith’s desire to practice medicine started in early childhood, being profoundly influenced by her family doctor who modeled success in long-lasting and trusting physician-patient relationships. She has always been interested in empowering patients to take control of their own health, and understands the importance of teaching the patient to understand their medical condition to make the most informed medical decisions, something that takes time. During her years of practice in the traditional model of medicine, it became increasingly more about quantity and not quality of patient care so she decided to transition her practice. As a result, Dr. Tyndall-Smith left and co-founded Gainesville DPC Physicians in order to spend quality time with her patients and their families. “It will be a practice that will meet the medical needs of the patient in a way that is satisfying and fulfilling for both of us, without the restrictions of the large institutions and insurance mandates. It will allow me to get to know my patients and to develop strong and lasting relationships, which is the foundation of exceptional health care.”
Dr. Tyndall-Smith enjoys her Caribbean culture through travel, food and music. She enjoys sharing her joy of music by participating in the praise and worship team at The Family Church. She enjoys playing the piano and riding her bike, and shares her life and dreams with her husband and two sons.
Shenary J. Cotter, BSN, MD, FAAFP
Board-Certified in Family Medicine
Dr. Cotter is accepting patients under Obesity Medicine Intensive membership only
Dr. Cotter completed medical school and then residency, including Chief Resident of the OB track, at the University of Florida College of Medicine in 2000. She then practiced full-scope Family Medicine in an underserved area in East Tennessee, including operative obstetrics. After completing the National Health Service Corps Scholarship, she practiced in a variety of settings, including hospitalist medicine, emergency medicine, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and outpatient medicine. As Faculty at the University of Florida, Dr. Cotter enjoyed teaching clinical medicine to medical students as well as working on the Admissions Committee at the College of Medicine.
Dr. Cotter left academic/employed healthcare to co-found Gainesville Direct Primary Care Physicians. She designed the practice to support relationship - hour-long visits, expansive medical services included, and multiple ways to communicate with her. She can use her surgical background to offer many procedures to patient members of the practice. Dr. Cotter is a firm believer that God still heals people miraculously. All people are welcome as members of Gainesville DPC Physicians.
In 2023 Dr. Cotter obtained her board certification in Obesity Medicine. She is passionate about helping patients achieve their healthiest selves through lifestyle changes and when necessary, medical treatment, and also supports “Healthy At Every Size” practices.
She is married to Michael Cotter, MD, an obstetrician, and together they have four boys and several now-adult foster children. She is an active member of Greenhouse Church. She enjoys thrifting, kayaking on Lake Santa Fe, being with her family and dog, Dusty, and is a voracious reader.
R. Michele Emery, MD, MPHTM, IFMCP
Board-Certified in Family Medicine
Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner
Dr. Emery graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1988 with her Doctor of Medicine degree and a Masters of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She completed her residency in Family Practice at Florida Hospital in Orlando in 1991. Dr. Emery has a certification in Lifestyle Medicine as well as her certification in Functional Medicine which emphasizes a holistic, integrative approach to healing. One of 28 physicians in Florida with this certification, Dr. Emery has expertise in identifying the root causes of diseases and encouraging patients to make the necessary dietary and lifestyle changes to help their bodies heal from within.
Dr. Emery brings experience teaching Family Medicine resident physicians-in-training, as well as having practiced in the Emergency Room and Urgent Care settings for several years. At the Student Health Care Center at the University of Florida she cared for students for over 10 years. Most recently she has been caring for patients from the "cradle to the grave" in Ocala at a Functional Medicine practice.
Dr. Emery has always been passionate about approaching patients’ medical problems holistically, understanding that true health is a sum of healthy habits involving the body, mind and spirit. Going through her own health crisis with breast cancer, Dr. Emery has an appreciation of the strategies needed to overcome difficult health challenges. She credits her faith in God as the most important healing force in her life.
Dr. Emery is excited about her change to the Direct Primary Care model of medicine, because she will finally be able to spend the time with her patients that they need. She is committed to providing excellent medical care with compassion using a holistic approach.
She has resided in Gainesville over 20 years after serving for 4 years as a missionary physician in Guatemala with her husband. She has 2 sons who are in college and 1 in the Navy. She enjoys her weekly home church, working in her yard, walking and going to gym classes for strength and flexibility. She speaks Spanish.
Erin Hutchins, DO
Yvette Calloway, MA
Nicola Townsend, RN
Nicola was born in England and raised in South Africa. She graduated from nursing school in Cape Town in 1991. Nicola has worked as an RN in South Africa, England, and Florida. She has 22 years of experience in intensive care and outpatient surgery.
Nicola has been married to James for 27 years, and they share four children. She took time off to raise her family. The family loves the beach, and they watch a lot of baseball games.
Nicola is very happy at Gainesville DPC Physicians, and she “loves” her job.
Contact Details
Address:
212 NW 135th Way, Suite 20, Newberry, FL 32669
Phone:
Fax:
352-559-2441
Business Hours
- Mon - Fri
- -
- Sat - Sun
- Closed
Our Location
