Clinicians

Chief Medical Officer
Family Medicine
Site Medical Director
HHS East Bluff

Dr. Johnson joined the Heartland team in 2022 and became our Chief Medical Officer in July 2023. He has been practicing medicine since 2013. Dr. Johnson has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work. He is a father to 4 kids and several pugs, and is married to his wife Michelle. In his…

Family Medicine
HHS East Bluff

Dr. Barnett joined the Heartland team in 2007. His roots and early medical practice were in Africa which nurtured an enjoyment of work with many cultures. He hopes to bring a ‘love our neighbors as ourselves’ focus to medical practice. In his personal time, he enjoys his family (wife and…

Family Medicine
Site Medical Director
HHS Garden

Dr. Koscica joined the Heartland team in 2014. With over 15 years experience in family medicine, she enjoys seeing multiple generations within the same family.   In her spare time, Dr. Koscica likes to stay busy. When she’s not spending time with her family and twin boys, you can find her…

Family Medicine
HHS Carver

Dr. Oliver- Payne joined the Heartland team in 2015. She is a proud University of Illinois graduate and has studied on almost all of the U of I campuses. She is passionate about all aspects of women’s health and family planning.   As a mother of two, she is interested in all baby related…

Family Medicine & Obstetrics
Director of Obstetrics
HHS East Bluff & Olt

Dr. Bahler joined the Heartland team in 2022. He has practiced medicine for 6 years.  Dr. Bahler's characteristic style of practice is patient centered, focusing on patient education and advocacy.      He has been married to his high school sweetheart for 13 years and has 3 sons.…

Family Medicine & Obstetrics
HHS Olt & East Bluff

Dr. Ramesh joined the Heartland team in 2022. She looks forward to growing her practice and connecting with her community.    Medical School Chicago Medical School Residency University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria Fellowship University of Illinois College of Medicine Professional…

Family Medicine
HHS Garden

Dr. Smith joined the Heartland team in 2022 and has worked in the industry for 27 years.    In her free time she enjoys reading, watching Netflix, getting together with family, or planning her next adventure as she loves to travel.     Medical School Rush Medical College of Chicago…

After Hours Care Director
Internal Medicine & Pediatric Medicine
HHS Knoxville

Dr. Bamberger has been practicing medicine for over 9 years. He joined the Heartland Health Services team in 2014 as a resident and continues to serves the community as our After Hours Care Director.   In his free time, Dr. Bamberger enjoys long distance running.    Medical School Doctorate…

Podiatry
HHS Garden

Dr. Evans has been practicing medicine for over almost 25 years. She joined the Heartland Health Services team in 2017 providing family podiatry, arthritic foot and ankle care, orthotics, sports medicine, pediatric and diabetic foot care and nail disorders.    In her free time, Dr. Evans enjoys…

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
HHS Knoxville & East Bluff

Jennifer joined the Heartland team in 2019. It is important to create a partnership with the women I care for.  My approach is friendly, open and non-judgmental.  Jennifer began her medical career by training in the Army as a Surgical Tech and worked in that field for about 7 years.  In…

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
HHS Knoxville

Shannon joined the Heartland Health Services team as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner in 2022. After completing her graduate education at Georgetown University, Shannon joined a group in Springfield, IL, where her passion for providing obstetric and gynecology care quickly grew! She is especially…

Family Nurse Practitioner
HHS Knoxville

Victoria joined the Heartland team in 2022. She has been a registered nurse for over 10 years and became an Advanced Practice Nurse in 2020. She also teaches nursing clinicals for Bradley University to help new up and coming nurses how to provide excellent and compassionate care. She describes…

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
HHS Olt

Madeline joined the Heartland Health Services team as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner in 2023. As a graduate of Illini Bluffs, she grew up in the Peoria area. Madeline has been working in healthcare in our community for the past 10 years, most of that time in focusing on women's health.…

Physician Assistant Certified
HHS Garden

Yvonne joined the Heartland team in 2009 and serves on the provider retention committee. With over 15 years experience in community health she is dedicated to promoting overall wellness among her patients. In her personal time she enjoys running, spending time with family, and watching her two children…

Physician Assistant Certified
HHS Tazwood

Zack joined the Heartland team in 2019 and is the Lead Site Provider for the Heartland Tazwood site in Pekin. He specializes in family practice with subspecialties in psychiatry and addiction medicine. His dedication is to ensure that his patients feel respected and valued during their visits while…

Physician Assistant Certified
HHS Garden

Ashley joined Heartland Health Services as a PA-C in 2018 and then as a PRN in 2019. In 2023, she came back to HHSIL full time in the role of PA-C.   Ashley chose Heartland Health Services because she has 2 children who are very busy in sports and being home in the evenings and on the weekends…

Physician Assistant Certified
HHS Garden

Braden joined Heartland Health Services in 2023 following the completion of his Master's of Physician Assistant degree at St. John's University in Queens, New York. He specializes in internal medicine and pediatrics for youth ages 14+. Braden provides high quality care for all and is dedicated…

Certified Nurse Midwife
HHS Olt & East Bluff

Julie joined the Heartland team in 2018. Her wide variety of experience contributes to her vast knowledge of patient care. With a passion for Obstetrics, Julie became a Registered Nurse and worked for Pekin Hospitals Baby Place. Board Certified as an AMCB Certified Midwife. Julie is an active member…

Certified Nurse Midwife
HHS Olt & East Bluff

Larisa joined Heartland Health Services in 2023. She chose to join the Heartland Health Services family because the Peoria area feels like home. She was excited to return and care for a community that shaped her into the midwife that she is today. Larisa had the privlege of caring for patients as a…

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
HHS Carver & Knoxville

Cristy joined Heartland Health Services in 2020 as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  Cristy is based at the Carver location and provides services at our Knoxville location one day a week. She comes to us with nearly ten years of experience in community mental health and inpatient behavioral health…

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
HHS East Bluff

Mary Jennifer received her Masters of Social Work and Masters of Divinity from Loyola University in 2006. She brings with her a wide range of experience including chaplaincy work, hospice, social work, foster care therapy, pastoral care, youth ministry, and community mental health. Mary Jennifer is…

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
HHS Garden

Alison joined the Heartland team in 2022 and has worked in the industry for 10 years.   In her free time she enjoys dancing, cooking, reading and strength training.    Education Bachelor's degree from Loyola University New Orleans  Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health…

Director of Behavioral Health - MAT Clinic
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
HHS East Bluff

    Education Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL  Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA  

Family Nurse Practitioner
HHS Human Service Center

Kathryn joined the Heartland team in September of 2014 at our Garden location. She began splitting her time between Garden and the Human Service Center the following year in 2015. In early 2018, She accepted a position at the Health Department, but continued serving Heartland patients at the After-Hours…

Family Nurse Practitioner
HHS East Bluff

Susannah Dintzis, APN. BC-FNP, joined Heartland Health Services in 2019.   She has worked in a variety of settings, including school based health care, the Chicago Health Department and an urgent care.   She enjoys serving culturally diverse patient populations.     She spent time…

Family Nurse Practitioner
HHS East Bluff

Ciara joined the team in 2022 and serves as a Family Nurse Practitioner for the walk-in clinic at East Bluff. She worked as a pediatric nurse at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois for 7 years before becoming an APN.    In her personal time she enjoys spending time with her family and…

Family Nurse Practitioner
HHS Carver

Punam has been in the healthcare field for over a decade. Her experience includes a vast spectrum of patient and conditions. Punam earned a BSN from OSF College of Nursing and obtained her RN in 2014. In 2018, she became an APN specialized in hormone therapy.   Punam and her husband have been married…

Family Nurse Practitioner
HHS East Bluff

Angela joined Heartland Health Services in 2017 in primary care/walk-in clinic. She accepted the role of our Telehealth provider in 2023. Angela enjoys caring for those in our community with the greatest needs. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with family.   Education Saint…