Provider Service: Family Medicine

Mandy Sacher, DO

Family Physician Partners with Patients on Their Health Journey

“Every single feature of someone’s life plays into their health. Understanding that is the first step on the journey with patients toward better health.”

It wasn’t just an academic interest in the inner workings of the human body and mind that led Dr. Mandy Sacher to family medicine. It was her passion for connecting with people and harnessing that connection to help them achieve optimal health. “People come to their family doctor to address their physical health. But that interaction allows for explorations of the other aspects of their life that are likely affecting their current health and the attainment of improved health. I love having the opportunity to work with my patients in that process.”

Dr. Sacher enjoys the variety and challenge of family medicine. “In a given day, I can see all members of a multigenerational family, from newborn to geriatric; perform in-office procedures; and have a routine gynecologic visit — all while addressing physical, emotional and psychosocial issues.” Patients appreciate her easygoing manner, her openness to different perspectives and her straightforward way of explaining medical concepts.

When she’s not working, Dr. Sacher enjoys spending time in nature with her family, traveling, reading and trying her best to stay in the moment.

“Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.” —Hippocrates

Nadira Khan, PA-C

Physician Assistant Encourages Self-Care

“Good things happen when we take care of ourselves. We have to learn to prioritize ourselves and our health.”

As the oldest of four girls, Nadira Khan was the natural caretaker for her sisters. From a young age, she knew that caring for others would factor into her career choice. She found the ideal role during a hospital volunteer experience while she was in high school. “That’s when I learned about physician assistants,” Nadira said. “I loved everything about the PA profession, from its schooling to its flexibility to its variety.” She chose family medicine because it offered the most varied experience. “It’s something new every single day, and I never tire of it,” she said.

Nadira’s patients appreciate her thoroughness and the time she spends with them. “I’m a very good listener, and I really take the time to understand my patients’ point of view. I want to know how they’re feeling and why they’re feeling that way. My goal is to have the kind of rapport where they can talk to me about anything.”

“I treat all my patients as if they were my family members,” added Nadira. “I want them to thrive no matter what challenges they may face.” That’s why she encourages them to practice self-care. Toward that end, she advocates preventive care, making sure patients are up to date on vaccinations and screenings, and following healthy lifestyles. “At the end of the day, we should learn to give ourselves compassion, time, and attention to focus on our own needs, desires and goals,” she said. “This way we can better support ourselves and our loved ones with a healthy rejuvenated mind/body.”

When she’s not working, Nadira likes to spend time with family and friends back in Brooklyn. She also enjoys working out and practicing her own self-care regimen.

Igor Grosman, PA-C

Physician Assistant Offers Personalized Approach to Primary Care

“What motivates me is seeing my patients do really well when they take an active role in their own health care.”

With his appreciation for the sciences – biology, physiology and anatomy – and his nurturing nature, Igor Grosman seems tailor-made for the physician assistant role. It’s one that he has embraced wholeheartedly.

“I shadowed at a hospital, I volunteered in the emergency department, and I volunteered in a rehab center for seniors before I started my formal studies,” he said. “All of those experiences validated my desire to go into the medical field.” He pursued undergraduate work in biology as well as psychology because of the strong connection between the two. “I’m a really big proponent of physical health linked to mental health,” he said.

Igor joined Vanguard because it’s a practice known for collaboration among providers. “It’s essential to have that team environment to do the very best job for your patients,” he said. Igor strives to practice medicine and treat patients fairly and without discrimination regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs.

Igor’s patients like that he’s a good listener and that he takes the time to educate them on their health. “It’s sometimes scary to deal with health concerns, and I try to create as comfortable an environment as possible,” he explained. “I work with patients to help them take a more proactive role in their own health. We focus on wellness and prevention. It’s a very personalized approach based on their lifestyle. A patient with a busy schedule and four children has different needs than a retired senior does, even if they present with similar health concerns. What I tell one patient might not work for another.”

He also taps into his background in clinical research. “It’s really important to understand the medications we take,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in clinical research, and I stay up to date with new medications and treatments.”

When he’s not working, Igor enjoys traveling and photography.

Andrew Seise, PA-C

Physician Assistant Brings Clinical Experience with Navy to Family Medicine

“The connections that I make with my patients are my reason to come to work every day.”

As a former Navy corpsman, Andrew Seise (pronounced “cease”) has treated patients of all ranks and statuses. But it’s the connections he makes every day as a physician assistant in primary care that are the most meaningful to him.

“I love the patient interaction,” Andrew said, calling it the highlight of his day. “I enjoy getting to know my patients so that I can better help them stay healthy.”

Andrew’s career choice was initially inspired by an incredible high school science teacher who taught him the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, and biology. When he enlisted in the Navy, Andrew continued on that track as a hospital corpsman, dispensing first aid and care to the sick and wounded on ship and shore. After completing his enlistment, he decided to continue his education in a physician assistant program. “The more that they described it to me, the more it sounded like what I was doing in the Navy,” he said.

Family medicine was the perfect place for this veteran, father of two, and former youth sports coach. He enjoys helping everyone from children to seniors stay healthy. His patients say he’s a good communicator and easy to talk to. His military service gives him a special connection to his patients who are veterans.

In addition to treating illness and disease, Andrew educates his patients on options for treatment and preventive care. “Education is essential so that patients can be advocates for their own health,” he said.

When he’s not working, Andrew enjoys hiking, kayaking, camping, and outdoor activities with his family.

Alexandra Citro, PA-C

Telemedicine Physician Assistant Enjoys Practicing Family Medicine

“I see patients through a family practice lens. I look at all facets of their mental and physical health to help them feel their best.”

Alexandra Citro discovered her future career while she was hospitalized at age 20 for a heart problem. “The physician assistant (PA) was amazing,” she said. “She took the time to talk with me and ease my fears during a scary situation.” Alexandra already had her eye on a career in healthcare, but at that moment she set out to learn more about physician assistants. “It was the perfect blend of everything I wanted,” Alexandra said, “with a large focus on patient care.”

She went on to work initially in hematology oncology with cancer patients, then in family medicine and urgent care. “I really love the continuity of care in family medicine,” she said. “I enjoy getting to know my patients and being able to help them not only when they have an immediate need, but with their overall health.”

As a telemedicine provider, Alexandra starts by reviewing a patient’s medical history before she sees him or her on video chat. “I like to get a picture of my patients first because that may affect the treatment I recommend.” She goes on to make sure patients have a medical home and addresses their overall mental and physical health during a virtual visit. “My focus is on the whole person, including preventive care. Therefore, I might recommend diet, exercise, meditation or other lifestyle changes that will help them feel good.”

Alexandra joined Vanguard for its focus on the whole patient. “I like that Vanguard isn’t linked to a huge hospital and is independent. It has a family feel to it where both providers and patients are part of that family.”

When she’s not working, Alexandra enjoys cooking and baking for her kids.  She also loves to read. She and her husband, John, have three young children and enjoy spending time together. When her schedule allows, Alexandra also volunteers. She has cut hair for Locks of Love and packed lunches for Feed the Need, furnishing meals to children in Africa through her church.

Jessica Wolkun, PA-C

Physician Assistant Enjoys Seeing Patients’ Progress Toward Good Health

“It’s the relationships that we form with our patients and the ability to help them live longer, healthier lives that motivate me every day.”

From a young age, Jessica Wolkun had thought about a career in healthcare. But it wasn’t until a trip to the emergency room that she found her true calling. “I took my friend to the ER, and that’s when I met a physician assistant for the first time,” she said. “I could clearly see myself in that role.”

Until then, she had been following a behavioral health track in college, with the goal of working with autistic children. She changed from psychology to biology, and soon found herself in the clinical setting. “The fit was perfect because I wanted to be part of a patient’s overall health rather than just the small part that is behavioral.”

Now she brings her hospital experience, including work in gastrointestinal disorders and infectious disease, to a primary care practice. She chose Vanguard because of its focus on wellness and its genuine care and concern for its patients. Being a physician assistant at Vanguard is everything she envisioned. “I love medicine, and I enjoyed working in a hospital, but now I have the opportunity to get to know my patients and follow their health for the long term.

“My patients like that I’m thorough and that I listen to them,” she said. “I help them stay on top of their health, and I sometimes gently push a little to ensure that they get the test that they need or make the lifestyle change that will make the difference.” Jessica notes that sometimes patients put off a necessary test because of fear. “We can address the fear and help patients feel more comfortable,” she said. “That’s much easier than addressing what could happen if the test is not done.”

Being able to follow her patients’ progress is a great reward of the job, according to Jessica. “If I can help them lose weight, lower their blood pressure, and get off medication, for example, then I’ve helped them toward a longer, healthier life.”

When she’s not working, Jessica enjoys gardening, decorating her home, and taking hikes and walks on the weekends.

Palwasha Fazli Daftani, MD

Dr. Daftani Takes a Whole-Patient, Preventive Approach to Primary Care

“As a family physician, I want to educate my patients, to help them improve their health and quality of life.”

Dr. Palwasha Daftani always had a love for art as a child, and imagined herself going into fashion design. She declined a spot at a prestigious fashion design high school in the city to attend high school in Queens. That pivotal move put her on a much different trajectory, one that included a medical education program in her senior year of high school. It was there that she discovered her talent for math and science, and her excitement about a career in medicine. She views medicine as a scientific study and its practice as a form of art.

“We got to explore different health professions, and we took trips to local colleges and once to a research lab,” she said. “They taught us scientific techniques and offered fun opportunities to explore and learn about health care careers and how to prepare an educational path to pursue them.I hadn’t had any female role models growing up who were physicians and so I never thought about it. But once I learned more, I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I could already imagine myself doing it.”

She got a jump on college classes during her senior year of high school, and went on to earn her biology degree, a medical degree, and a master’s degree in health services administration. She chose family medicine as her specialty because of its comprehensive focus and opportunity for continuity of care.

“In family medicine, we take on a role not just of examining the disease of a patient, but we also explore his or her social and emotional factors,” she said. “It’s a biopsychosocial approach to medicine, and it’s very important in treating patients as a whole.” Dr. Daftani prides herself on being a good listener. “I let my patients talk,” she said. “It’s very rewarding. It also helps to make a better diagnosis when you listen to the full details of their stories.”

The whole-patient focus was one of the aspects that attracted Dr. Daftani to Vanguard Medical Group. “Everyone here works as an advocate for the patient,” she said. “There is also an emphasis on preventive care, which is so important in overall health.”

When she’s not working, Dr. Daftani enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. She is an avid reader and also enjoys exercising and traveling.

Kristina Conklin, PA-C

Kristina Conklin Builds Relationships for Better Health

“Preventive care is the cornerstone of primary care. As providers, the greatest role that we have is to educate our patients and promote wellness.”

 Kristina Conklin’s first job after college wasn’t the perfect fit. But it was the inspiration for her lifelong calling. “I was working as a medical technologist behind the scenes in a hospital, and I missed the patient interaction,” she says. “I started volunteering on a different floor to be able to talk with patients and realized that’s what I wanted to do.” She applied to a physician assistant program and now enjoys forming those special relationships every day.

From the beginning, Kristina knew she wanted to work in primary care. “I enjoy getting to know my patients, learning about their family life and their challenges, and educating them about wellness. When you build relationships over time, you can provide continuous, comprehensive care. That’s what really draws me in—being able to make a real difference in their health and well-being.”

Kristin inspires confidence with her thorough approach. She takes the time to really listen to her patients and understand their perspective. The dialogue goes both ways; Kristin also spends time explaining her recommendations and educating patients about their illness and preventive care. “I encourage my patients to keep up on their immunizations and exams,” she says. “An asymptomatic patient who might show early warning signs of a disease is a lot easier to effectively treat than someone who is chronically ill.”

When she’s not working, Kristina enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys reading, traveling, and playing volleyball.

Van Wyck, Kelly, DNP

Kelly Van Wyck Invests Time in Her Patients’ Well-being

“When we encourage ourselves to pursue wellness instead of only responding to illness, we lead healthier, more peaceful, more fulfilling lives.”

It was an experience volunteering in Haiti that revealed Kelly’s true calling. “I was working as a teacher in the village school,” she says. “People assumed that, as an American, I had access to healthcare and they started bringing me their sick children. I had no training and couldn’t help. One evening, a friend showed up on our doorstep with his infant son, near death. My mother, a nurse, happened to be visiting. She intervened, and saved the baby’s life.” Inspired and determined, Kelly enrolled in a nursing program as soon as she returned home.

Kelly has since made annual trips to Haiti, where she has served as a nurse and translator with teams of medical, dental, and nursing personnel. “I’m inspired by the Haitian people and their incredible bravery despite difficult circumstances. It recalibrates me every time I go down there.”

Back in New Jersey, she worked for several years as an emergency room nurse; however, she quickly realized that she wanted to further her education. She earned her doctorate in 2017, and joined Vanguard shortly thereafter.

“I hope to inspire my patients to pursue wellness in body and mind,” she says. “I find that people often visit their healthcare provider reactively, because of illness. If I can help people to be proactive, and to pursue a healthier lifestyle, they may discover a more peaceful, more joyful, and ultimately more fulfilling life.”

When she’s not working, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and two young children. She also enjoys hiking, photography, and traveling.

Howard Wilson, MD

Personal, Individualized Care Is Dr. Wilson’s Hallmark

“My patients can talk to me about anything—even things that they can’t talk to their spouse or family about.”

It’s not uncommon for Dr. Wilson to treat three generations in the same family. As a family medicine physician, he offers primary care for all ages. Importantly, he works hard to earn his patients’ trust, and as a result, they often refer their family members—grandparents, parents, children, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

“When you’re treating generations of the same family, it’s not just taking a family history,” said Dr. Wilson. “You know the medical issues firsthand, and can focus on the right preventive measures.”

A lifelong learner, Dr. Wilson brings a diverse background to his practice—including degrees in philosophy and biochemistry. His father was a veterinarian, and ultimately inspired Dr. Wilson to pursue a medical degree. Applying to medical school during the mandatory draft for the Vietnam War, he faced unusually high competition for slots—and ultimately decided to study overseas. The experience bolstered his Spanish and French language skills, and gave him a global view on medicine. Internships and residencies back in the States provided the U.S. perspective.

After years of building a successful solo practice, Dr. Wilson joined Vanguard Medical Group. “I want to be able to spend time with my patients,” he said. “With Vanguard, I’ll have the infrastructure in place to handle the administrative tasks so that I can focus on patient care. My patients will also enjoy the services that Vanguard provides, such as an on-site lab for bloodwork.”

Dr. Wilson is known for his personalized approach to patient care and also his focus on preventive care. “I do a lot with integrative medicine, including nutrition and lifestyle counseling,” he said. “I also work with information technology in medicine. It’s a great interest of mine, and a focus at Vanguard.”

When he’s not working, Dr. Wilson enjoys traveling, reading, and music.