JenCare Senior Medical Center

Bios

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  Winoka Banks, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

  MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

  For more than 19 years, Winoka Banks has provided compassionate care to the people of her hometown, New Orleans. "I always wanted to be a nurse," Winoka says. "It wasn't until after Hurricane Katrina that I decided to become a nurse practitioner." Today, she is helping JenCare patients manage the health and enjoy a higher quality of life. "The most rewarding part of my job is having the ability to help change lives for the better," she adds. "I involve my patients in their healthcare. It's a team effort. Guiding them to make the right decision helps lead to greater accountability and better results." Winoka is a dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 19 years nursing experience in geriatric, medical surgical, infectious disease, long-term care and retail community care. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, MS, and her Master of Science in Nursing from Loyola University in New Orleans, LA. She is a registered nurse and an advanced-practice registered nurse licensed in the state of Louisiana. Winoka is also board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners, Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society and the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society. In her free time, Winoka likes to stay active by walking, dancing and cooking for her husband and two daughters.

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  Link: Winoka Banks, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

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  Zia Romani, MD

  As a child, Zia Romani always knew that she wanted to be part of the healing profession, and she ultimately moved over 7,000 miles away from home to help others in need. "I respect our seniors," Zia says. "One day, we will all become senior citizens and will need help managing through life's changes. I love providing acupuncture and seeing the relief a patient has after treatment. Combined with healthy lifestyle education and nutrition counseling, I’m helping patients live their highest quality of life, and that’s very rewarding."

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  Link: Zia Romani, MD

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  Vijay Jaligam, MD

  When Dr. Vijay Jaligam was in the 10th grade, he witnessed something amazing: his friend, who’d contracted rabies from a dog bite, started healing within three days of receiving therapy. It was this kind of healing transformation that captured his interest and eventually led him into medicine. “I remembered that time during my first days of practice in India,” says Dr. Jaligam. “My mother suggested that I start a free clinic, and so I did. As I worked with my patients, I realized that this was my dream – to bring compassionate care and healing to those in need.

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  Link: Vijay Jaligam, MD

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  Nina Muñoz, MPAS, PA-C

  Nina Muñoz has a heart for seniors. In fact, caring for their hearts and whole mind-body wellness is one of the reasons she pursued a career in medicine. “Ensuring my patients’ well-being is what drives me every day,” Nina says. “I work closely on the team with their doctors to deliver the highest quality of care possible. As a physician assistant, I’m able to examine, diagnose, and treat a variety of acute and chronic health concerns. What’s even more important is having the ability to educate patients on how to stay well and out of the hospital. It’s rewarding to see their health and lives improve.”

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  Link: Nina Muñoz, MPAS, PA-C

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  Cheryll Cash

  MD

  For Dr. Cheryll Cash, practicing medicine is a heart-and-soul commitment. "I enjoy being there for people," she says. "And I want to shine a light on seniors' lives by providing them with the most comprehensive healthcare possible. I'm here to address their physical and emotional needs for total healing. I want my patients to know that I truly appreciate them and am grateful to be their doctor."

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  Link: Cheryll Cash

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  Brittany Roussel

  RD, LDN

  Brittany Roussel is a registered dietitian specializing in diabetes, heart health, kidney disease and gout. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and completed her dietetic internship at North Oaks Health System in Hammond, Louisiana. Prior to joining JenCare, Brittany was a chronic care management dietitian with Peoples Health. “I have diet restrictions I must follow so I understand how frustrating it can be when someone recommends a change to your diet potentially reducing how often you can eat your favorite foods,” Brittany said. “I try to provide practical, usable knowledge in a way that makes sense that will help patients to feel better or to improve their lab values.”

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  Link: Brittany Roussel

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  Haresh Kumar

  MD

  Primary care physician Haresh Kumar is board certified in internal medicine. He focuses on prevention, timely diagnosis and treatment. He addresses his patients’ concerns by listening, understanding their needs and developing care plans based on practical management strategies that achieve the best results. “Many seniors have complicated and challenging health concerns,” says Dr. Kumar. “I want to help them understand their issues and manage their health well.” Dr. Kumar is married and has three children. He enjoys watching television, surfing the internet and reading national and international newspapers. He also likes playing cricket and tennis, jogging and cycling.

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  Thomas Gaines

  MD, FACC, CBNC

  Originating from a long line of healthcare professionals, Dr. Thomas Gaines is a cardiologist passionate about not only leading his patients to better health but also helping them understand that process. He strives for comprehensive care that caters to individual needs and goals. “True collaboration and relationship building is everything,” he says. Dr. Gaines takes pride in both serving and learning from the senior population. “I have strong beliefs about equity and equality in healthcare,” he says. When he isn’t with patients or attempting to teach his cat how to fetch, Dr. Gaines loves experiencing live music and hiking with his wife. He aspires to travel to Greece, Japan, and Argentina.

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  Samiya Yasin

  MD

  When Dr. Samiya Yasin was younger, she spent a summer visiting with mentally and physically challenged children; and it awakened her passion for helping others. As a primary care physician, she says, “My patients are part of my family. We work together, and I love seeing the difference in their overall health.” Knowing seniors have worked hard to build a good life, Dr. Yasin considers it an honor to focus on their needs. “I feel it is our responsibility to provide seniors with the love and care that they deserve,” she adds. Away from work, Dr. Yasin devotes time to her husband and two beautiful children. Reading books, solving puzzles, watching movies, and visiting parks are some of her favorite activities.

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  Link: Samiya Yasin

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  Traci Biskupovich

  FNP-C

  Traci Biskupovich is a certified family nurse practitioner who is dedicated to making a difference for her patients’ health and quality of life. “I love to not only care for patients but also empower them to achieve their goals with health education,” Traci says. She has extensive experience caring for people of all ages and graduated from nursing school (and high school) in New Orleans. In her free time, Traci enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cooking, and traveling – especially to west coast beach cities like San Francisco.

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  Valeria Espinosa

  MD

  Dr. Valeria Espinosa comes from a family of physicians. “I think the greatest part of being a physician is the opportunity to serve and comfort those who need it the most,” she says. She likes taking the time to listen to patients and learning about them beyond their health concerns. “Once I know their story, it is easier to find ways to help them to improve,” she explains. She cares deeply about her patients and is appreciative of the opportunity to care for the senior population. “Working with this wonderful population brings me great joy as they are full of wisdom,” she says. In her free time, Dr. Espinosa likes singing, swimming, and traveling. She also enjoys walking in the rain and watching the clouds.

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  Fadi Hawawini

  DO, CMD, MBA, CPE

  Dr. Fadi Hawawini’s favorite part of his profession is “being able to make a difference in people’s lives and contribute positively to my society.” He believes honesty and accountability are key in building strong relationships with patients. He loves caring for the senior population and “delivering the best care possible for our patients and providing their families with the peace of mind about their loved ones.” To keep up with the latest medical advancements, he attends conferences, discusses with healthcare leaders, and stays involved in the medical community. In his free time, Dr. Hawawini loves spending time with his wife and son. He especially enjoys watching his son play sports. He also likes staying up to date on world affairs.

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  Link: Fadi Hawawini

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  Alejandro Herrera

  MD

  Dr. Alejandro Herrera knew as a child that he wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. “My favorite thing about medicine is being a part of a profession that is so focused on helping others, a profession in which the main goal is to improve the quality of life of the people, and when you are able to see the results, the feeling of accomplishment,” he says. He loves building connections with patients by giving them his full attention and learning about them beyond their health concerns. “Because seniors have given their life to this country, I would like to give them back the best care, attention, and treatment,” he says. Dr. Herrera loves spending his free time with his family. He also enjoys cooking, jogging, and watching sports.

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  Link: Alejandro Herrera

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  Shaunte Jackson

  MSN, APRN

  Shaunte Jackson knew at a young age that she wanted to work in healthcare. She loves caring for others and finds it very rewarding to positively impact her patients’ lives. She is passionate about preventative care. “I enjoy educating my patients on ways to improve their health by explaining their treatment process, which in turn, improves their overall well-being and quality of life,” she explains. She takes pride in building strong patient-provider relationships through honesty and “meeting them where they are.” She particularly enjoys caring for the senior population. “They have the best sense of humor, and they are full of wisdom,” she says. When not caring for patients, Shaunte Jackson loves traveling and exploring new places.

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  Taylor Robertson

  DPM

  Dr. Taylor Robertson feels honored to serve as “a source of healing and comfort for his patients. “I am priviledged to take care of the feet, which are the tires of the human body,” he says. He adds, “If your feet don’t feel well, then the rest of your body doesn’t either.” He enjoys building genuine relationships with patients, explaining, “You don’t get to know someone without extended conversations.” He adds, “I am an old school doctor who likes to take his time and talk to people during a visit.” He especially enjoys working with seniors and learning from their wisdom. Dr. Robertson loves kayaking, gardening, and volunteering at his daughter’s school in his free time. He also enjoys attending festivals.

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  Link: Taylor Robertson