Staff

Peter Geare, Front Desk

Peter graduated from Boston University in 2003 with a degree in philosophy. He is a people person – he's great at customer service. When you walk into the office or call us, Peter is one of the people with whom you are likely to speak.

"Studying philosophy gives a person a good idea of the human condition and that everyone is in the same boat really. You see other people as yourself."

Peter loves to travel – he's been to Europe twice. He also loves yoga. "I've been doing a lot of it for the last four years. It has been good for my physical health, my mental health, and it has been good for introducing me to Eastern ways of thought."

Keri Lundeen, Medical Assistant

Keri is originally from Northern California, where she completed the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program and extensive IV Therapy Training at Napa Valley College. She worked in Long Term Care for many years and completed training as Director of Staff Development, becoming the Facility Educator. She worked in the Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, California, specializing in Rehabilitation and Therapy. After moving to Arizona, she stayed home to raise her young children. She is now in our clinic, working directly with Dr. Martha Grout.

"After working for many years in modern medicine settings, it is a great pleasure to work with more varied modalities of care. It is amazing to see the improvements and hear the testimonies of so many people, and to have had a part in their individual progress."

Stephanie Nasshan, Front Office Manager

Stephanie Nasshan joins our team as Front Office Manager, having had the experience of working for ten years for a large Veterinary Clinic in Tucson, AZ. She loved the experience, and found she was well suited to organization and management of an office in its varied aspects. Welcoming the change from caring for animals (with people) to caring for people (many of whom have animals), Stephanie says, "Regardless whether the health care is related to animals or people, every single one deserves TLC and someone to dedicate the time and care needed." Stephanie relocated to the Phoenix area joining her husband in their new home, and is enjoying the overall change. Sometime in the future, they hope to be blessed with children but for now are parents to a mischievous cat, and an active dog who thinks it's human. "I chose to join the Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine having known what it's like to suffer from a chronic illness at a young age, and being blessed by the people and physicians who took care of me. I feel this is my opportunity to help other people with various medical challenges, inspire comfort, and assist our team in dedicating the utmost personal attention each person deserves."

George Purselly, IV Team

George Purselley served the Sun City West Fire Department as a Captain and paramedic for 21 years before recently retiring. He came to AzCAM as part of the nursing staff, to learn how the other half lives, utilizing his considerable skills to help our patients feel like individuals about whom we care – not just their illnesses, but their whole lives. George's idea of fun is to ride in rodeos on the week-ends, where he competes in the areas of team roping (two people, one catches the head, one ropes the feet). George lives about 50 miles from AzCAM. He makes the long trip every day because he enjoys working here.

Kyle Sartor, Materials Manager

From supplements and IV bottles to pens and light bulbs, Kyle keeps us supplied. You may not run into him, but he's the reason our supplies are organized and always there when you need them.

Kyle graduated from ASU in August of 2010 with a degree in Global Business and a concentration in finance. He's not sure what he wants to do with that degree yet, but he's giving himself time to find out.

"This is great experience for me. I'm in the business part of the office and I am learning a lot about dealing with suppliers. It is great environment here and I plan on staying for a long time."

Pattie Sartor, Front Office

When you call the clinic, it may be Pattie's voice you hear on the other end of the phone.

She completed three semesters in accounting at Southern Connecticut State University in the mid 1970s. Then, she and her husband, Bob, began to raise their family. "I worked exclusively on that for 14 years - best job I ever had!" When braces and glasses began to stretch to family budget, Pattie worked in a bank as in a chiropractic office.

Pattie's mother began a 15 year medical odyssey with heart attacks and Alzheimer's disease; Pattie was a caregiver. Unfortunately, the stress of it all impacted her own health. "We were expecting our first grandchild and I began to fear I would spend the rest of my life watching from a chair as my husband played with the grandkids. Then I met Dr. Martha Grout and became a patient. This was September of 2008. I told her after that first appointment that it was the first time in years I'd ever dared to have hope that my health could improve. Now 25 pounds lighter, off blood pressure medication, able to walk again with the allergic arthritis under control, and able to work again after 5 years of not being able to – my hopes have been realized! My 2 ½ year old grandson has nothing on me now! The most amazing part of working here at the clinic is the chance every day to be a part of giving that wonderful hope to someone else."

Alex Swerdfeger, IT

Alex grew up in Australia where he worked in the information technology (IT) industry for nine years. "When I started, the term 'IT' didn't even exist. I learned by taking computers apart and rebuilding them." We call him "Mr. Fix It."

Our IT system is in his hands. Alex keeps our individual computers healthy, our network robust, and our patient records confidential in accordance with HIPAA.

Alex is a very special member of our AzCAM family; in March of 2010, after conducting a long distance relationship with Lucy, the two were married. "That was the best thing that ever happened to me," he said.

Lucy Swerdfeger, New Patient Coordinator

At the Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine, we send all new patients a comprehensive medical history to fill out – everything from past surgeries to dental work. Often people want to ask a question or two, and our front desk staff is tied up with a constant stream of calls. Lucy is here for you.

"As the New Patient Coordinator, I am the first point of contact in the patient-doctor relationship. I am responsible for scheduling the initial appointment, ensuring that the intake paperwork is received, and answering any questions you may have. Call me anytime to discuss how we may be able to help you. Being treated with love and respect is a big part of the healing process, and I enjoy my job to its fullest."

Lucy also helps patients going through the hCG weight loss program and the FirstLine Therapy nutrition program.

Lucy graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design; she handles the graphic arts for the office.

Sarah Swerdfeger, Medical Assistant

Sarah will work with you in the allergy room as we determine what foods, chemicals, pet dander, and other substances are causing your allergic reactions.

Sarah is a licensed massage therapist in the state of Arizona; she completed her training at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in 2005.

Sarah also keeps our back office operating seamlessly. She prepares nutritional medications, orders blood work on the computer for the nurses and generally keeps the back office humming.

Theresa Teeples, Medical Assistant

Theresa assists patients by taking vital signs, in-house tests, and she administers intravenous medications and therapies.

Theresa graduated Phoenix College in 1992 where she achieved her medical assistant certification. She joined the Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine after a sabbatical following a family death.

"I like it when I see that I do make a difference in someone's life. I want to help people feel better."

Sharon Thayer, RN

Sharon earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree in the far south suburbs of Chicago. She has been an RN for 24 years working in oncology, ICU, Infusion (IVs), and hospice, to name a few areas of her experience.

Over the years she realized how much our profit-driven, disjointed healthcare system fails to help a large number of people with life-squelching health problems, seriously inhibiting their ability to thrive to their fullest potential. "I'm so happy to have found AzCAM. It's revived my nursing career. It's a very supportive environment."

She loves ballroom dancing, gardening, and spending time with her pets, as well as camping in the north of the state, to cool off during the hot summers.