Debra Beard, MD
Primary Care Physician
Debra Beard, MD, serves as a clinic Physician at CentraCare in Battle Creek. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan in 1983 and her medical degree at Wayne State School of Medicine in 1988. Upon completion of her residency in Internal Medicine at Loyola Medical Center in Chicago in 1991, Dr. Beard entered private practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan until 1997. Originally from Battle Creek, Dr. Beard returned to her home town in 1997 and worked in private practice until 2012 at which time she joined the CentraCare team as a clinical physician.
In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she also is involved in onsite training of medical students from the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine through CentraCare’s Longitudinal Clinical Experience program. Dr. Beard is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, and has been board certified in Internal Medicine since 1991.
Mehmet Ismailoglu, MD
Medical Director
Mehment B. Ismailoglu, MD, serves as the Medical Director for the CentraCare locations in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. A graduate of Albion College, “Dr. I” earned his medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean school of Medicine in Plymouth, Montserrrat. Upon completion of his residency at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan in 1993, he served in private practice until 2014 when he became the Department of Medicine Section Vice Chief at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. While in private practice Dr. I also served as the Medical Director for the Calhoun County Correctional Facility, Medical Director for the Calhoun County Department of Public Health, Medical Director of the Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center, Chief Medical Examiner for Calhoun County, and as a hospitalist at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Battle Creek.
Dr. I joined the CentraCare team in 2016 as a clinical physician and in 2017 accepted the position of Medical Director for CentraCare. In addition to his current responsibilities he is also very involved in onsite training of medical students from the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine through CentraCare’s Longitudinal Clinical Experience program.
Wendell Diggs, PA
Physician Assistant
Wendell L. Diggs, PA-C, joined the clinical team in 2008 and serves as a Physician Assistant at CentraCare in Battle Creek. Earning his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University in Medicine, Wendell went on to become certified as a Physician Assistant (PA-C) through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Receiving further training in the science of acupuncture, he, in addition to his PA-C responsibilities, is the resident acupuncturist for CentraCare participants both in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.
Wendell is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants as well as the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants. He also has a longstanding relationship with the Western Michigan University Physician Assistant program serving as a Clinical Preceptor since 1997. Additionally, Wendell is involved in onsite training of first and second year medical students from the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine through the Longitudinal Clinical Experience program as well as training the Internal Medicine, Med-Peds, and Family Practice residents doing their geriatric rotations at CentraCare.
Christina M. Worgess, DNP, MSN, RN FNP-BC, NP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Christina M. Worgess, DNP, MSN, RN FNP-BC, NP-C, earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Detroit Mercy and her Masters of Science in Nursing degree from Michigan State University. She is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center as well as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Additionally, she is affiliated with the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners, the American College of Nurse Practitioners, Doctors of Nursing Practice, LLC, Doctors of Nursing Practice Professional Development, Inc, and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
For the past two decades Christina has been involved in direct patient care and is committed to practicing medicine using a holistic approach with an emphasis on continuous patient education. Joining CentraCare’s clinical team in 2016, she is a strong advocate for the frail elderly. Christina is also actively involved in onsite training of medical students from the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine through CentraCare’s Longitudinal Clinical Experience program.
Shanna Van Aken, MSN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Shanna Van Aken, MSN, FNP-BC, joined the Kalamazoo CentraCare clinical team in December of 2017 as a Nurse Practitioner. A licensed Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse, she received her certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) from The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association. Shanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Missouri, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nevada State College, and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University
Donna Ismailoglu, MSN, A-GNP
Nurse Practitioner
Donna Ismailoglu, came to CentraCare in October of 2017 as an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) in the Battle Creek medical clinic. With a background as a hospitalist, it was a natural fit for her to transition into her current role as CentraCare’s
Hospital System Liaison. In this role, Donna manages relationships with physicians and care managers within the hospital system and is responsible for collaborating with hospital care managers and hospitalists to monitor the daily care of CentraCare participants who are hospitalized.
Beginning her career in healthcare as a Registered Nurse, Donna has a vast background in various specialties such as med-surgical, cardiac, pulmonary, emergency department, critical care, acute long-term care and neurology. As an A-GNP, she has focused on internal medicine and gerontology. Donna earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), specializing in Adult-Gerontology, from Spring Arbor University. Additionally, she is a Board Certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
