Kelly C. McCants, MD
President and CEO of KC Medical Care and HT Equity Corp Cardiovascular Medicine and Wellness
As President and CEO of KC Medical Care and HT Equity Corporation, Kelly C. McCants, M.D., is passionate about serving patients facing difficult health challenges and addressing health disparities. Dr. McCants believes being able to serve is the greatest gift.
Dr. McCants earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, and completed his internship, residency and fellowship at the University of Louisville. Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Dr. McCants said he drew inspiration from his mother and older brother.
As an African American and a physician, Dr. McCants is deeply aware of structural racism and inequities, as he has experienced them personally. This helps him understand issues and concerns from a patient and provider perspective. Through work with heart failure patients, Dr. McCants learned the power of addressing socioeconomic dynamics to help patients achieve recovery.
Kimberly Vessels, APRN
Chief Nursing Officer Cardiovascular Medicine and Wellness
With over 15 years of practical experience in the field of cardiology, Kimberly Vessels is a highly skilled and dedicated Nurse Practitioner specializing in the care of cardiology patients in the outpatient and acute care settings. As a well-rounded nurse practitioner, she has experience in leadership, program building, as well as experience in the field of primary care, aesthetics, in addition to cardiology. Kimberly has a passion for educating new medical providers as well as patients. Kimberly is published and has been recorded in many media outlets in her field of study. Kimberly takes pride in growth of her team and herself.
Kimberly obtained her Bachelor of Nursing from University of Louisville, with two Nursing Master Degrees from Ball State University and University of Kentucky.
Walaya Methodius-Rayford, MD
Chiropractic and Sports Medicine
Walaya Methodius-Rayford, MD, RPVI, CWSP received her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. She then obtained her Master of Science in Medical Science from Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, before completing her medical degree at the same institution.
She served as a surgical resident then chief resident at Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta, GA where she also completed her vascular surgery fellowship training. After joining Georgia Vascular Specialists, PC in 2011, Dr. Methodius-Rayford became a certified physician in Vascular Ultrasound. In 2014 she became a certified diplomat to the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. In addition to training in hyperbaric medicine, Dr. Methodius is also a certified wound specialist physician (CWSP), a member of an elite group of healthcare professionals involved in wound management.
Dr. Methodius is the founder of Women in Surgery, a society committed to fostering support and assuagement amongst peers in medicine. Dr. Methodius holds membership in a range of professional organizations, including the Society of Vascular Surgery, the Atlanta Medical Association, the Peripheral Vascular Society, and American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Society, and the American Venous Forum. Dr. Methodius has been featured in numerous magazines including, O Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Entrepreneur, and Women’s Health. For three years she has served on the diversity committee for the Society of Vascular Surgery.
Kevin Trice, MD
Pulmonary Specialist
Marcus B. Edwards, D.C., C.C.E.P
Chiropractic and Sports Medicine
Dr. Marcus B. Edwards is a licensed chiropractor who has been serving the Columbus, GA community since 2002. A graduate of Stillman College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Dr. Edwards went on to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University School of Chiropractic. He is board-certified by the Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners and holds additional certification as a Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner (C.C.E.P.).
An active member of both the American Chiropractic Association and the Georgia Chiropractic Association, Dr. Edwards is also a proud alumnus of Life University and a dedicated member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. From 2002 to 2020, he owned and operated Edwards Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center, and he currently leads Advanced Healthcare & Injury Center, which he established in 2020.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Edwards serves in the Deacons Ministry at Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church. He and his wife, Timini, are proud parents of two children, Marcus II and Garrison.
Danna Michel, APRN
Family Nurse Practitioner, Aesthetics and Women’s Health
Danna Michel is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over two decades of healthcare experience, specializing in women’s health, emergency medicine, and aesthetics. Her journey began in 2002 as a bedside nurse, where she cultivated a deep commitment to patient care. She spent three years in the pediatric intensive care unit, followed by a decade in emergency medicine, during which she honed her skills in managing acute and complex medical conditions.
As an Emergency Department Nurse Manager from 2010 to 2015, Danna led multidisciplinary teams, implemented quality improvement initiatives, and prioritized patient safety in high-pressure environments. After completing her Master of Science in Nursing at Chamberlain University in 2019, she transitioned to advanced practice, working as a Nurse Practitioner in emergency medicine while expanding her expertise to include women’s health and aesthetics.
Danna is certified in Botox and dermal fillers by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics and is pursuing additional certifications in hormone replacement therapy, IV hydration, and functional medicine. Her practice is deeply rooted in addressing the unique needs of women, offering personalized care that spans preventive health, hormonal balance, and aesthetic treatments. She is passionate about empowering women to feel their best, both physically and emotionally, through evidence-based, comprehensive care.
Danna’s extensive clinical experience, coupled with her focus on patient education and advocacy, enables her to build trusting relationships and deliver exceptional outcomes. Whether guiding women through hormonal changes, enhancing confidence with aesthetic treatments, or promoting overall wellness, she is committed to helping her patients thrive.
Outside of her professional achievements, Danna is a devoted mother and a community advocate, balancing her career with her dedication to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves.
Hope Pugh, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Family Nurse Practitioner
With over 20 years of critical care experience and a passion for patient advocacy, Hope is a dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner committed to bridging healthcare gaps within her community. She believes that healthcare is a universal right and works tirelessly to empower patients, particularly those with limited health literacy, to advocate for themselves and better understand their health conditions.
A graduate of Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and Columbus State University with a master’s degree in nursing, has served in various roles, including nurse supervisor, assistant nurse manager, nurse educator, preceptor, and inpatient case manager. Her time at Grady in the trauma and burn intensive care units shaped her ability to provide compassionate, high-quality care in challenging environments.
Inspired by personal experiences, including the loss of her uncle while awaiting a heart transplant, Hope is deeply committed to addressing health disparities and ensuring her patients have the resources and support they need for recovery. She brings a unique perspective to her practice, informed by her extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient care systems.
Above all, Hope strives to build collaborative partnerships with her patients, fostering trust, understanding, and empowerment as they work together toward better health outcomes.
Eric D. Somers
DC, CME, FACMUA
Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Somers was always an avid sports fan and player. Playing competitive soccer for over 20 years, Dr. Somers knows firsthand the dedication it takes to be the best athlete possible. This was never more true than during his junior year of high school when while playing soccer, he tore his ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus in his right knee, requiring surgery. The surgeon gave him a grim diagnosis – he was expected to regain only 80% of his range of motion and was told to never play soccer again.
Being an athlete, competitive in nature and always committed to athletic excellence, Dr. Somers would not accept this diagnosis as the inevitable, and shortly after turned to chiropractic treatment for help. After undergoing regular chiropractic care and therapies, Dr. Somers not only regained 100% of his range of motion, but also was able to continue playing the sport he loved and became an even more dominate player on the soccer field! He was faster, stronger, and had increased flexibility and coordination. All of which he knew was the result of his chiropractic care.
This experience had such a strong impact on Dr. Somers that he decided he too wanted to become a chiropractor so that he could help others who, like himself, had been told they would never again play the sport they loved. He also knew that if chiropractic could help someone like him with a severe injury, then even those without injuries could benefit exponentially from chiropractic treatment. Taking these things into consideration along with his desire for a career that helped others, Dr. Somers made the decision to pursue his dream of becoming a chiropractor. Years later, Dr. Somers is still committed to helping others achieve the same results he did and improve their overall health and well-being.
Dr. Somers holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Medicine from Temple University, as well as a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Sherman College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. During his education at Temple University, he has accumulated over 4,000 hours of experience as an Athletic Trainer for such sports as football, basketball and baseball, in addition to his 20 plus years of experience as a practicing sports chiropractor. Dr. Somers is also a Certified Medical Examiner (CME) and a MUA physician (Manipulation Under Anesthesia).
Dr. Somers is the owner and founder of Alpharetta Chiropractic & Massage and Alpha Sports Recovery which are located in Alpharetta, Georgia.
