Senior Physician
Dr. Turner is the founder and medical director at Vine Medical Associates. Double Board Certified in Family Medicine and AntiAging and Regenerative Medicine, her thriving practice caters to the needs of the North Fulton Community. Practicing Family and Functional Medicine, Dr. Turner has special interests and experience in geriatrics, bioidentical hormone therapy, diabetes, and preventing heart disease. Dr. Turner is also the leading expert in peptide therapy in the Southeast.
Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Turner served our troops as a physician in the U.S. Navy for several years. Prior to her tour of duty, she did an internship in general surgery, then completed her family medicine residency at Emory University. She describes her trade as “healing to wholeness and then partnering with patients, empowering them to heal themselves and to prevent disease.” Dr. Turner is an award-winning teacher of medical students. She spends her free time managing her urban farm and cooking, building, reading, and exercising with her husband Chip and their 3 daughters.
Dr. Turner is now on the faculty at Emory University and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.
FNP-C, ND, ABAAHP
Originally from Kiev, Ukraine, Irina came with her family to Atlanta in 1992. She earned her Doctor of Naturopathy from the First National University of Naturopathy in 2000. Seeking to provide thorough care to patients, in 2013 Irina achieved a master’s degree from the Saint Joseph’s College of Maine as a Family Nurse Practitioner. In 2016, she became Board Certified by the American Academy of AntiAging Medicine in functional medicine. Outside of work, Irina enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 sons. Together they enjoy hiking, dancing, watching Russian movies, and cooking.
FNP-C, ABAAHP
An Atlanta native, Melissa received her nursing degree from Mercer University in 2010, graduating Summa Cum Laude with awards for scholarship and leadership. After working in the ICU at Atlanta Medical Center for four years, Melissa went back to Mercer to earn her master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Melissa is passionate about root-cause medicine, particularly lifestyle treatment for patients with diabetes. In 2016, Melissa earned Board Certification from the American Academy of AntiAging Medicine in functional medicine. A few of her favorite things include date nights with her precious husband Scott, playing with her “menagerie” of fur babies, Crossfit, and spending time with her North Point Church middle school girls small group.
FNP-C
Tessa has lived in the Atlanta area since the age of nine. She received her nursing degree from Georgia Baptist College of Nursing in 2009 and went on to practice as an ICU nurse for eight years at WellStar Atlanta Medical Center. In 2016, Tessa returned to her alma mater were she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Science in Nursing and obtained her Family Nurse Practitioner degree.
Tessa’s approach with her patients emphasizes health promotion and prevention of disease. One of her main interests is the brain-gut connection and how stress can affect physical health and overall well-being. Tessa is currently working towards becoming board-certified in Functional Medicine from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. She is on track for this to be completed in 2018.
Tessa has been married for seven years to her high school sweetheart, Jeff. Together they have a daughter. Tessa enjoys trying new restaurants, being outdoors – especially during Fall, Orange Theory Fitness, traveling – quite frequently to Disney World, and watching Jeopardy. She also has been a life-long lover of animals, especially dogs and whole-heartedly believes that having a pet is beneficial for one’s health.
Dietitian
Robin is a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant, whose work has appeared in Today’s Dietitian, WebMD, Forbes.com, CBSnews.com, the Los Angeles Times and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. She holds Masters Degree in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. Passionate about helping people achieve their health and fitness goals, Robin started her private practice and nutrition consulting firm in 2007. She is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys training with and coaching others, including her husband Gabe, who is an avid runner and triathlete. Engage with Robin at www.robinsteagallrd.com
Medical Assistant
Margaret grew up in a small town in western Iowa and moved to the Atlanta area in 1988. She graduated Cum Laude from Dalton State College in 2002 and has been in family medicine since graduating. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, church involvement, and time with her husband, sister Michele, and a menagerie of pets. Margaret is caring and compassionate and loves her work. Her desire is to establish a relationship with each of our patients and their family members. She has been Dr Turner’s nurse since 2007, and Dr Turner says Margaret really runs the practice.
Office Manager
Michele keeps the office running smoothly with her years of experience and kind, Christian spirit. She is a certified medical coder and she has a degree in medical front office administration. Michele is an insurance plan expert, and she prides herself in maintaining a high level of customer service and patient satisfaction. Michele has enjoyed living in Georgia since 2011, and she spends her time outside of the office exploring nature. She enjoys camping, fishing, and hiking with her children Zachary and Hannah. Michele gives back to her church community by teaching Sunday School to three and four year olds.
Reception
Teiaondra is originally from Santee, SC. She has over 5 years experience in Customer Service, trained with Upward Financial, and has been with the Vine Medical team since 2015. Her goal is to start medical School and become a nurse. Teiaondra recently married her wonderful husband Dayne and enjoys time with him and their 3 beautiful daughters at their home in Snellville, GA.
Phlebotomist
Originally from Tuscaloosa, AL, Tenesa decided to make Atlanta her home in 2009. She has been “drawing blood” since 2001 and has found it very fulfilling. She is certified in Phlebotomy, Clinical Laboratory Quality Assurance & Quality Control from DCH Phlebotomy & Medical Laboratory program. Tenesa joined the Vine Medical family in April 2013 where she is known for getting the “hard sticks,” and lots of “I didn’t even feel that!”
Reception
Keiara, like “tiara,” is one of the first voices you’ll meet at Vine Medical. Originally from Miami, she served in Virginia and “on float” in the United States Navy as an Aviation Boatswains Mate Handler for 8 years. Holding a license as a Pharmacy Technician, she wishes to soon become certified as a pharmacist. Keiara moved to Atlanta where she can spend time with her family, children, and friends in her free time. Keiara excels at helping others and finds herself at home with Vine Medical where she knows she can achieve that and so much more.