Althea Tyndall-Smith MD, MS
Board-Certified in Family Medicine
Dr. Althea Tyndall-Smith moved to Gainesville in 2013 after practicing family medicine in York, Pennsylvania. She earned her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine and began her career at York Hospital, one of the nation's oldest community family medicine residency programs. She later practiced at a federally qualified health center and was honored with the Community Ambassador APEX Award for her volunteer service and commitment to community health. Prior to co-founding Gainesville Direct Primary Care Physicians, she served as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the University of Florida Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, where she taught medical students, cared for patients, and served on the Medicine Interview Committee.
Inspired from an early age by the trusted relationship she observed between her family physician and her family, Dr. Tyndall-Smith is passionate about building lasting relationships with her patients and empowering them through education and personalized care. Before pursuing medicine, she spent four years teaching at the post-secondary level, an experience that continues to shape how she communicates with patients and helps them understand their health conditions and treatment options. Her decision to co-found Gainesville DPC Physicians was driven by a desire to practice medicine in a way that prioritizes quality, accessibility, and meaningful physician-patient relationships. Outside the office, Dr. Tyndall-Smith enjoys studying piano, singing in church and community choirs, celebrating her Caribbean heritage through cooking and cultural experiences, staying active through fitness training and indoor and outdoor racquet sports, and spending time with her husband, two sons, and Yorkie, Buster.
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
Board Certified in Family Medicine
Dr. Hutchins was born and raised in Ocala and is thankful to be able to practice medicine in North Central Florida. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and completed Medical School at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine where she also completed a Predoctoral Fellowship in Osteopathic Principles and Practice. She completed a Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Residency at Florida Hospital East Orlando. Dr. Hutchins is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, and follows the principles of Healthy At Every Size. She is also Adjunct Faculty at Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine in their Osteopathic Manipulation Lab.
Dr. Hutchins has been practicing in a Direct Primary Care setting since 2018. She offers personalized primary care and is passionate about the health and wellbeing of her patients. She also offers Osteopathic Manipulation Treatments (OMT) to her patients. She enjoys being able to offer non-pharmaceutical treatment options to her patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Dr. Hutchins is married to Travis and they have two children, Hawk and River. She enjoys all things Disney, staying active with running and cross training, reading, and exploring the beautiful outdoors with her family.
James Medley, MD, FAAFP
Board Certified in Family Medicine
Dr. James Medley, MD, FAAFP, was born in Springfield, Missouri, and moved to North Port, Florida, shortly before beginning high school. He earned his undergraduate degree and medical degree from the University of Florida before completing his internship and residency in Family Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His professional interests include medical education, office-based procedures, dermatology and dermoscopy, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, and preventive care. He is passionate about providing comprehensive, evidence-based care and helping patients achieve their long-term health goals.
Outside the office, Dr. Medley enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and son, reading, traveling, and caring for his three indoor-loving cats. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, he enjoys learning about airplanes and all things related to flight. Dr. Medley is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) and maintains active membership in the Florida Academy of Family Physicians, the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He is board-certified in Family Medicine and committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care.
Yvette Calloway, MA
Yvette joined Gainesville Direct Primary Care Physicians in April 2022 as the Clinical Supervisor. She comes with a lengthy background in both family practice and heart and vascular specialties. The knowledge and expertise that Yvette brings to our practice is a blessing.
Yvette is the proud Mom of a little boy. She loves spending time with him and taking advantage of all the family fun Gainesville has to offer. Yvette is also pursuing a Bachelor Degree in Social Work in her “spare” time.
Yvette is happy to be part of the DPC family and looks forward to assisting all of our members!
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.
