Meet Our Team of Experts

Nicholas Fiacco, MD

He completed medical training at Mercer University School of Medicine and went on to Internal Medicine training at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. In his time as an internist providing primary care, he recognized weight as a primary problem driving many patients’ health concerns. Always eager to improve, he completed training and certification in obesity medicine. This training required high-level exposure to endocrinology problems, and once again, Dr. Fiacco pursued further training in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Learn more about Dr. Fiacco

Richard Henderson, MD, Ph.D

Dr Richard Henderson, M.D., Ph.D., is Director of the Continuous Quality Improvement Program at LifeStyle Medical Centers.  He leads our on-going efforts to monitor and improve the quality and value of the care we provide, often utilizing clinical outcomes data from hundreds, and sometimes thousands of patients.  In addition to his M.D. degree, he also has a Ph.D. degree in Physiology, both from the University of Chicago.  In his 32-year career as a physician at UNC Hospitals and faculty member in the UNC School of Medicine he gained extensive experience in clinical research, and has nearly 100 publications in medical journals.  He is a long-time advocate for lifestyle medicine, firmly believing that lifestyle choices are hugely important keys to one’s health and well-being.

Carey Amato, DMSc, MSPAS, PA-C

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Carey Amato is a certified Physician Assistant with a background in Physical Medicine, Orthopedics, Pain Management, and Obesity Medicine. Carey earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Physical Education and Health with a concentration in Exercise Science. She then earned a master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the Medical University of South Carolina. She has completed her Doctorate of Medical Science at A.T. Still University.  Learn More

Rita Langworth-Brewer, PA-C, DFAAPA

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Rita Langworth-Brewer pursued her passion for Medicine by receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the State University of NY@ Geneseo, followed by the Weill Cornell Surgical Physician Assistant Program in Manhattan, NY. Over the past thirty years, she has worked in hospitals, private practices, and outpatient clinics specializing in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Weight loss, and Integrative Medicine. Learn More

Makayla Downs, MSN, FNP

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Makayla Downs is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who has experience in primary care, specifically with a focus on women’s health. Makayla has a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville along with a master’s degree in nursing from the University of St. Francis-Joliet. Learn More

Margaret Eller, NP

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Margaret is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She has a bachelor’s degree in zoology from NC State University, nursing from UNC-Chapel Hill, and her master’s in nursing from UNC-Wilmington. Her nursing background was as a labor and delivery nurse. As a nurse practitioner, she has helped manage chronic illnesses (diabetes, kidney disease, heart failure) and obesity medicine.

She enjoys assisting patients in their health journey to prevent or reduce problems caused by weight-related diseases. She helps patients empower themselves by putting all the puzzle pieces together for an optimal healthy lifestyle.

Outside work, she is keeping up with her two sons, playing tennis, exercising, and watching sports. She loves spending time with her family at the beach.

Sherrie Stapleton, PA-C

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Board-certified Physician Assistant with over 12 years of experience in fields including Internal Medicine, Endocrinology (Diabetes and Thyroid disorders), and ENT.  Over 5 years was spent working at Joslin Diabetes Center in Syracuse, NY, helping patients with both insulin dependent, and non-insulin dependent diabetes improve control of their condition, and enhance their overall health and well-being. Learn More

Blair Busby, PA

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Blair is a board-certified physician assistant. She earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sport Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. She completed the PA program at East Carolina University and practiced in bariatric surgery and weight management for seven years. Prior to PA school, she worked at a food and nutrition policy watchdog organization, then in research studies on cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea, as well as dietary intervention and behavior change.

Blair is passionate about the prevention and treatment of chronic disease and believes we must acknowledge and address the complex role of biology, behavior, and environment as key part of quality medical care. She believes in the utilization of lifestyle medicine to empower patients with the education and confidence to be the fundamental player in their own health.

In her spare time, you’ll find her reveling in the joys of her family, reading library books, shopping at thrift stores, and scrolling the comments section for misinformation.

Hannah Brewer, MS, RD, LDN

Hannah was born and raised in Raleigh, NC. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from North Carolina Central University and continued here for her Dietetic Internship and Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences. As a Dietitian, she aims to assist patients in achieving optimal living and desired weight loss through whole foods-based eating patterns, active lifestyles, and individual well-being. She is a strong believer that all things can exist in moderation—including food! When not at work, she enjoys yoga, hiking, nature documentaries, and snuggling with her mini goldendoodle.

Jessica Davidson, MPH, RD, LDN

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Jessica is a native of Whiteville, a small rural town in southeastern North Carolina. She received a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Oakwood University and holds a Master of Public Health in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has a heart for empowering clients toward optimal nutrition goals and an overall positive lifestyle. She believes that nutrition should be both beneficial and enjoyable, allowing for the personal, fun, and flexible relationship with food. In her free time, Jessica enjoys all things creative art, cooking, and outdoor activities.

Katie Godin, RD, LDN, MS

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Katie was born and raised in Aberdeen, North Carolina. She came to Raleigh, NC to complete her undergraduate education at Meredith College where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Foods and Nutrition. She went on to complete her Dietetic Internship at North Carolina Central University and began her career in Dietetics in 2007. Learn More

Laura Harkins RDN, LDN

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After graduating from Framingham State University with a B.S. in Food and Nutrition, Laura moved to North Carolina to complete her dietetic internship and begin her career as a Registered Dietitian. Laura has experience in weight management, integrative and functional nutrition, eating disorders, food allergies and sensitivities, infant nutrition, and thyroid disorders. Learn More

Kim Lee, MS, RD, LDN

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Kim was born and raised in Naperville, IL.  She attended Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO, for undergrad, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics.  She stayed at Saint Louis University to complete her Dietetic Internship and then finished her Master of Science in Dietetics through Kansas State University.   Learn More

Alison Licquia, RD, LDN, MS

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Ali was born and raised in upstate New York and grew up on every kind of sports field imaginable.  That love of all things sports carried over into college, where she was a member of the University of Connecticut Women’s Rowing team while she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Nutritional Science. After undergrad, she completed her Dietetic Internship and Master’s Degree at The State University of New York at Buffalo and quickly fled to Florida after graduation, leaving snowy winters behind.  Learn More

Courtney Woodside, RD, LDN

Jayme Limbaugh, MS, RD, LDN, CSCS, CEP, CPT, CCES

Jayme specializes in nutrition for bariatrics, pre- and post-menopause, and food aversions. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Nutrition and Master of Science in Sports Medicine. Learn More

Jeremiah Murrell, BS, NASM-CES

Jeremiah Murrell graduated from North Carolina A&T University with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology, concentrating on Exercise Science. Also, he is pursuing his Master’s in Sports Management at Western Carolina University. Learn More