Providers
MediCenter Providers
Provider Bios
R. Lynn Carlson, MD, IFMCP
Since the age of three, Dr. R. Lynn Carlson has spent the majority of his life in Alaska. He spent his summers fishing on his family’s beach set-net site and, after school and sports in the winter he and his brothers would weld aluminum fishing boats with his father to sell to other fishermen. He always enjoyed science, and pursued his medical education at the University of Washington. All through medical school and residency, Dr. Carlson helped to fund his education by captaining his fishing boat, the “Connie Jeanne”, during the salmon run each year in Bristol Bay, Alaska.
Dr. Carlson completed his residency in Emergency Medicine in Pennsylvania. Soon after he finished, he and his family moved back to the Kenai and he started practicing medicine in his home town. Dr. Carlson has a passion for preventive medicine and focuses on keeping you healthy as well as treating your immediate illness. He is also Emergency Medicine Board Certified. With his experience, he plays a big part in our urgent care portion of the clinic.
In May of 2015, Dr. R Lynn Carlson was certified by the Institute for Functional Medicine as a Certified Practitioner. IFM Certified Practitioners are recognized as clinicians whose rigorous training and evaluation puts them in the top tier of functional medicine practitioners. Functional Medicine is evidence-based patient centered and geared toward investigating the root cause of disease. He looks forward to providing this higher level of care to the community.
Timothy Miller, DO
Dr. Timothy Miller, DO is a Board Certified Alaskan Provider of Osteopathic Medicine who practices family practice and urgent care. Dr. Miller is a full spectrum family practice doctor and he welcomes infants, adolescents, OB, adults, and geriatric patients to his practice.
Prior to entering medicine, Dr. Miller grew up in Southern Oregon. After obtaining an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry/Biophysics at Oregon State University, he transitioned from working at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, to managing clinical research trials, and finally building clinical research centers for several medical groups. Desiring to have a greater impact on patient care, he attended West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Alaska Family Medicine/Providence Alaska Medical Center. After residency, Dr. Miller practiced in bush Alaska at Norton Sound Health Center serving as a family physician in the ER, urgent care, inpatient, outpatient, and emergency air medical transportation settings working with OB, pediatric, adult and geriatric patient populations.
As an osteopathic physician, he has a special interest in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), to facilitate body positioning and tissue function to help alleviate pain and restore proper function. He enjoys the challenge of finding the underlying cause of illness and partnering with the patient to help them achieve their goals of health and wellness in mind, body and spirit.
Away from the office, Dr. Miller loves spending time with his wife, daughter, son, and dog. He is an avid fisherman and outdoors-man. He enjoys hunting, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, camping, rafting, wildlife viewing, surfing, and travelling abroad.
Leah Streich, MCHS, PA-C
A Certified Physician Assistant with a background in nutrition, Leah is a passionate teacher of healthy lifestyle and disease prevention. She has enjoyed utilizing her background in nutrition to provide comprehensive family practice care, including functional and natural approaches at our new integrative medicine clinic.
Leah was born in South Korea, grew up in Spokane, Washington and attended Washington State University for her undergraduate Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Human Nutrition. She completed an internship in Houston, TX and became a Registered Dietitian. She has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings and decided to go back to school and broaden her scope of practice. She graduated from the University of Washington, MEDEX Physician Assistant Master's program and has enjoyed establishing a family practice here on the Kenai Peninsula. Leah has special interests in women's health, bioidentical hormones, thyroid evaluation and treatment, and nutritional guidance.
Leah and her husband Jake stay busy with their children Harper and River. They enjoy spending time as a family cooking and enjoying the outdoor activities Alaska has to offer.
Jared Wallace, PA-C, CDE
After graduating from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2009, Jared moved to Alaska to begin his career in family practice. Currently the sole provider at MediCenter North, Jared is committed to creating a medical home for patients and their families. Jared is a Board Certified Physician Assistant and also a board certified Diabetic Educator by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. He welcomes minor emergencies, chronic disease, and acute illness or injuries.
Jared is detail oriented and an excellent listener, believing strongly in Hippocrates’ philosophy that “it is more important to know what sort of person has a disease, than to know what sort of disease a person has.” Jared also enjoys being involved in the community, and serves as the medical provider for the Nikiski Bulldogs football games.
Over the past several years, Jared has developed a passion for preventing and treating diabetes. Jared has a special interest in successfully treating individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. He holds a board certification in diabetes education, and continues to stay up to date on the latest research and expand his knowledge. Although diabetes can lead to an array of complications, Jared works hard to help his patients through both lifestyle modifications and finding the best treatment plan to manage their unique situation.
When Jared’s not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their four small kids. Jared and his wife are both avid DIYers, and love to show off the hard work put into MediCenter North’s renovation.
Joanna Walls, FNP
Joanna is a Family Nurse Practitioner devoted to providing comprehensive family practice care, focusing on functional and natural approaches at the new MediCenter Integrative Medicine Clinic while also spending time at MediCenter Specialties working with our Pain Management team. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, Joanna was a Registered Nurse on a Pediatric Unit for six years. She has a great passion for children’s health and disease prevention throughout the lifespan.
Joanna was raised in the south. Her roots spread from North Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama, and now to Alaska. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2011 and later continued to obtain a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2016. She has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings and decided to advance her current education through training with Dr. Carlson in functional medicine.
Joanna and her husband Craig are enjoying all of the outdoor activities Alaska has to offer with salmon and halibut fishing, as well as exploring miles and miles of beauty in nature through hiking and riding trails. Their beautiful daughter EllaDove was born in March 2016 and lights up anyone’s day. She loves the Alaska sun and extra play time it brings.
Joanna is looking forward to establishing a family practice here on the Kenai Peninsula with MediCenter Integrative Medicine.
Alfred Lonser, MD
Dr. Alfred Lonser, MD earned his Medical Degree from Loma Linda University in 1998. He continued his medical training at the University of Virginia in the surgery residency program before transitioning into Anesthesia. After successfully completing the residency and board requirements, Dr .Lonser and his family moved to Anchorage in 2002, where he worked as an anesthesiologist for Providence Hospital for 5 years. The extensive need for high-quality pain management specialists prompted him to further his training. He left Alaska for two years to complete a pain management fellowship at UCLA before returning to Anchorage where he joined AA Spine & Pain Clinic. He currently works in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Kenai taking care of patients from all across Alaska.
Dr. Lonser enjoys helping Alaskans with all of their pain management needs. He specializes in interventional treatments with expertise in spinal cord stimulator implantation, intrathecal pump implantation, vertebroplasty, as well as epidural, facet, and selective nerve block injections.
Dr. Lonser is available to serve chronic and acute pain patients on the Kenai Peninsula!
Specialty Provider coming soon
Info Coming Soon....
Tamara Brothers-McNeil, PA-C
Info Coming Soon....
Corey Johnson, MD
Dr. Corey Johnson graduated magna cum laude from Utah State University with a B.A. degree in Chemistry. He then attended the Medical College of Wisconsin (formerly Marquette), graduating in 1988. He completed his Family Practice residency in Casper, Wyoming. Following his residency training he returned to his home town where he worked in Family Practice for seven years. He then became a full time Emergency Medicine physician until 2006 when he completed specialty training in Phlebology (vein disease) and opened his vein practice. In 2008 when the American Board of Phlebology was established, Dr Johnson became one of only 248 physicians in the world to be granted diplomat status. He is an active member of the American College of Phlebology.
Dr. Johnson’s family owns a set net fishing camp on the Kenai Peninsula and they spend their summers there running the camp and enjoying the beauty of Alaska. It is while fishing here that Dr. Johnson first noticed the need for quality vein care in Alaska and the idea for Alaska Vein Care was born. Dr. Johnson is also an avid tennis player.
Dr. Johnson has over a 98% satisfaction rate from all his patients treated for Varicose Vein Disease. He is committed to offering only the very best in vein medicine.
Leon Richard, PT, Board Certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Dr. Leon Richard is actively heading up our Physical Therapy Department. Leon started his career in Physical Therapy at Husson College in Maine. He graduated with a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy with Honors. Leon Richard then earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy with Honors from Husson College. Through many of his life experiences in firefighting, law enforcement, weightlifting, martial arts and many other strenuous physical activities, Leon gained an appreciation for the human body and a passion for thoroughly understanding how it works. We are proud to state that there are many patients and providers that would willingly give excellent testimonials on the success he and his patients have had together in improving their physical lives.
Over the following two years, he worked on, and earned his credentials as an "Orthopedic Certified Specialist" through the American Physical Therapy Association Board of Specialty Providers in May of 2014. Leon is certified in Dry Needling and to the benefits it provides Physical Therapy. Currently Leon was selected by American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) as a member of the Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) to be an item writer for a two-year term, for the Orthopaedics Specialty Council. Being that he works in the health industry, he is a firm believer in working himself out of a job. If he doesn’t feel that you are improving with his services, he’ll be the first to bring it up and suggest a change. Leon is results-oriented when it comes to your health and at the same time gentle enough to help ensure a comfortable, fast recovery.
Beka Smith, PTA, LMT, BA
Beka Smith is a licensed Massage Therapist as well as a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant at MediCenter Specialties Clinic. She is the only individual in the state of Alaska who holds a license in both Physical Therapy Assistance and Massage Therapy.
Beka Smith was raised on a tobacco farm in rural southwestern Virginia. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carson-Newman College Tennessee in 1991. She went to PTA School at Whatcom County Community College in Washington, graduating in 2003.
Beka moved to AK (in 1992) with a Biology degree hoping to do Wildlife Biology. She says “I had no experience; most of what I heard was ‘Oh, you're the next one on our list, we'll call you.’ Well, I knew if I didn't use my biology education my intellect would get rusty. One of our local Physical Therapists was looking for someone with a biology degree to hire as a Technician (entry level, cleaning, laundry, some hands on). So, I applied and was hired. I was hooked! Talking to people is lots more interesting than counting fish any day!”
Massage Therapists manipulate the muscles and soft tissues of their clients to produce relaxation, improved health and other benefits. Physical Therapist Assistants work under licensed physical therapists to help people with physical injuries or illnesses to regain range of movement and control their pain. She is currently celebrating her 20th year performing patient care in the Physical Therapy/Massage Therapy field.
Beka specializes in Medical Massage, Swedish Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Reiki, and Trigger Point Technique. Her completed trainings include Fibromyalgia Massage.
Her favorite things about Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy include a close, personal relationship with her patients, seeing her patients improve and resume doing things they love, and working with other health care professionals as a wellness team.
Beka enjoys fishing, dancing, travel, and reading. She is a member of American Massage Therapy Association and the Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute.
Becca Richardson, MS, Clinical Nutritionist
Becca grew up on the Kenai Peninsula and graduated high school from Nikiski High. She received her Bachelors in Exercise and Wellness from Brigham Young University and then went on to complete her Masters in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport. During her educational experience she had the opportunity to be taught by world-renown leaders of functional and integrative medicine, such as: Mark Hyman MD, Kristi Hughes ND, Jeffery Bland PHD, and Alex Vasquez DC, ND, DO. From trainings to conferences, she has been taught how to look at the body as a whole. As an avid believer of preventative medicine, and with her love for health and exercise, she has a deeper knowledge of how important nutrition is and wants to share it with everyone.
This experience makes her an optimal MediCenter care coordinator working under the direct observation of providers. She conducts follow-ups with the patients to gather information by adhering to a protocol created for the individual by our providers.
Becca also loves the outdoors, exercise, and sports. She is always looking for adventure and getting others involved is one of her strong points. Her commitment to you is excellence, she knows how hard it can be to change the way you eat but believes that it will change the way you feel and if you can do that, life is limitless.
“It is the most rewarding job to see people change their lives, getting rid of disease and becoming a healthy individual full of life and making a difference in the world every day.”
Laurel Santiago, MBA, MS, BS, CNS
Laurel has lived in Morristown, NJ for over 25 years and has worked in both the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. After years of clinical pharmacy experience, Laurel continued to advance her education with a Masters in Human Nutrition at the University of Bridgeport, to understand ways to create an even greater impact on patient health. Science is now able to understand from a biochemical and molecular level why foods can be healthy for some people but not others. Genetics, lifestyle, food choices, medicines, and any presence of chronic illness can influence health outcomes. Through her own journey, she understands how difficult it can be to modify diet and lifestyle. Her great joy is celebrating with patients as they achieve their health goals and lead more vibrant lives.
In her spare time, she enjoys being active in outdoors, as well as practicing and teaching yoga.
Jeffrey Carlson, DPM
Dr. Carlson is originally from Alaska. Growing up, he spent his summers working in the salmon commercial fishing industry. He spent time on boats, set netting, and in his grandparents’ cannery. One summer he even spent time in the oil field to help pay for college.
As a college athlete, Dr. Carlson learned the significance of the feet and the important role they play for the rest of the body. This is what sparked his interest in the field of Podiatry. With more than a decade of traveling around the country with his wife Alison, they are excited to share his knowledge and expertise with the residents of Alaska.
Dr. Carlson earned his medical degree from Des Moines University in Iowa before completing a three-year surgical residency in Salt Lake City, Utah. This residency program provided the advanced training needed to be considered an expert in the treatment of all ailments of the foot and ankle, including reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, sports medicine, pediatric, diabetic and geriatric lower extremity care.
The last several years, Dr. Carlson has been practicing in both Ohio and Utah. He has enjoyed being able to devote quality time and effort to his patients and ensure they understand their treatment plan. More recently he has been focused on the use of stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine. He currently serves on the board of directors for World Access to Regenerative Medicine, a non-profit organization.
Dr. Carlson is a fluent Spanish speaker and enjoys using this in his medical practice. He has served the people of Guatemala and Spain and plans to perform more medical missions in the future.
Spending time with family is also important; Dr. Carlson, his wife, and four children love to visit local attractions and activities, spend time outdoors, and attend athletic events.
Dr. Carlson is welcoming new patients and all insurances,including children under 21 for Medicaid and all Medicaid/Medicare (Medicaid currently does not offer this benefit with the exclusion of the above).
Bill Kim, MD
The MediCenter Medical Group is pleased to announce that Gastroenterologist Dr. Bill Kim, MD has become affiliated with MediCenter Specialties. Dr. Kim will be at our MediCenter Specialty Clinic off 100 Trading Bay Rd Suite 8.
Dr. Kim grew up in Iowa and received his medical degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. He completed his residency and Gastroenterology fellowship with the UCLA Health Systems. He has been in practice for more than 20 years in Downey, California.
Dr. Kim is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and is a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology. He has received numerous awards for his teaching at both Harbor-UCLA and PIH Health Downey. He has also been recognized as one of nation’s top on time physicians by Vitals.com and has the highest Healthgrades.com gastroenterologist rating as voted by his patients in the Downey area. He believes that all patients deserve to be treated with compassion, respect and dignity and believes in treating the entire patient and not just focus on the gastrointestinal issues. This comprehensive care philosophy is shared by the founder of the MediCenter, Dr. R. Lynn Carlson, and the other health care providers at the MediCenter facilities.
Dr. Kim is an avid outdoorsman and has been coming to Alaska to hunt and fish for many years and is looking forward to meeting the Kenai Peninsula community.
Dr. Kim is accepting new patients at MediCenter Specialties and can be contacted by calling 907-283-9110.
Dan Costello, PA
Dan Costello is a Graduate with Honors from University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Physician Assistant Program. Dan warmly welcomes the entire family unit into his clinical practice, caring for newborns, children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Dan has diverse healthcare experience within a variety of specialties such as a Paramedic, Paramedic Fire fighter, Oncology, Cardiovascular Technologist, and now as a Physician Assistant. He takes particular pride in seeing whole families and caring for a multitude of generations. He embraces complementary and functional medicine in addition to traditional medical approaches to modern illnesses and chronic diseases. Dan has a special emphasis is in prevention and quite simply, keeping his patients as healthy and functional as possible.
Like many Alaskans, he loves the adventure only Alaska brings. He enjoys hiking, fishing, and being outdoors. He has even been lucky to catch fish right on his back porch. Dan’s history in healthcare has helped him to be an excellent addition to deliver high quality care in an urgent care/family practice setting.
Tanecia Webster, AG- ACNP
We are excited to announce MediCenter’s newest provider! Tanecia is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, she specializes in internal medicine, emergency medicine and cardiovascular disease. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she was a Registered Nurse specializing in both emergency medicine and cardiovascular intensive care, including cardiovascular thoracic surgery and transplant. Some of her interests in primary care provider include women’s health, pediatrics and urgent care.
Tanecia, was born and raised here on the Kenai Peninsula. Prior to completing school she spent 10 years as a traveling nurse in Indiana, California and Nevada. She graduated from University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing. She then went on to receive her Masters of Science degree in nursing from University of Nevada Reno shortly after.
When Tanecia is not working, she enjoys spending quality family time with her husband and kids. She enjoys fishing, paddle boarding and kayaking at their lake house.
Paul Raymond, MD
Bio coming soon
Ken Hahn, MD
Bio coming soon
Cherie Inglis, MD
Bio coming soon
Carol Klamser, ANP-C
Bio coming soon
Kristina Finkenbinder, NP
Bio coming soon