Meet Our Medical Providers

Joaquin Carral MD was born in Mexico City. After finishing Medical School he participated for 3 years with Chilean nuns to bring healthcare to an underserved population in the remote regions of Mexico where there are no doctors or primary care physicians. Eleven years ago he decided to come to the United States to continue his studies of Internal Medicine. He was chief resident in his program at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, from Columbia University. With prevention care in mind he studied one year fellowship program Preventive Cardiology in NYU, where he was able to study deeply the interaction of lifestyle and healthcare outcomes. After this he was part of a Federal Qualified Clinic for 5 years in Willimantic, CT, offering services to underserved Americans, farm workers, immigrants and more.

Shannon earned her doctorate in nursing practice at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Prior to starting at CHCFC, Shannon worked in cardiac and critical care for 8 years and with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities for 5 years. Shannon believes healthcare should be compassionate, non-judgemental, and respectful. She provides care for patients of all ages and identities. Shannon is passionate about working with vulnerable and at-risk populations. Believing everyone deserves access to health and wellness, Shannon is enthusiastic about improving health care literacy and empowering patients to feel confident when interacting with the healthcare system. Shannon views healthcare as a collaborative relationship aimed at helping patients achieve optimal health and quality of life. Shannon uses a whole person approach to healthcare, believing that healthcare should be as unique as the patient. By considering the cultural, psychological, social, spiritual, physical, and environmental influences that impact an individual’s health, the healthcare team (including the patient!) can develop goals and plans that better fit each patient’s lifestyle, preferences, and needs. Shannon is particularly interested in developmental and intellectual disabilities, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-affirming care. Shannon provides office-based addiction treatment.

Emily received her undergraduate training at the University of Pittsburgh and her graduate degree at Simmons University. She has worked closely with developmentally delayed children and has a special interest in this population. She believes in a patient-centered care approach and strives to ensure wellness as more than the absence of sickness. In her free time, she enjoys taking care of her farm animals, hiking with her dog, and cooking plant-based meals.

Nancy received her medical education at MGH Institute of Health Professions. She chose Family Health as her specialty as it offers the opportunity to treat the greatest diversity of people, at all stages of their lives. She endeavors to provide care that recognizes the dignity of the person, taking into account their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. Cultural humility, respect, and inclusion of all types of diversity are core values. “I believe in a trauma informed approach. Many people have obstacles, struggles, and experiences that are not always apparent, yet have consequences for their health, and how people interact with healthcare. It is essential to recognize these issues exist, build trust, and know that people ultimately make the final decisions about how to participation in their own care. I place an emphasis on preventative care, and recognizes that physical activity, food choices, rest, and positive social contact are essential to increasing wellness. I particularly enjoy empowering people to prevent, and manage, chronic diseases such as addiction disorders, hypertension, diabetes, nicotine dependence, obesity, and asthma.” (Pronouns She/her/hers)

Alec is a certified physician assistant, recently graduating from Northeastern University in 2023. Alec completed a clinical rotation at CHCFC in Greenfield and is excited to return as a provider. He thoroughly enjoyed the mission driven practice to provide comprehensive and compassionate primary care services to all patients. Alec very much enjoys partnering with patients on their healthcare journey and has special interests in chronic disease management, preventive healthcare, and orthopedics. Outside of work, Alec enjoys rock climbing, chess, reading, and board games.

Sarah is a Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in pediatric and family care. She received her doctoral degree in family practice at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Her doctoral thesis focused on trauma-informed perinatal healthcare. Sarah has served as adjunct faculty at the College of Nursing for both Greenfield Community College and the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She is passionate about providing a framework in which students can grow both professionally and personally. She strives to bring this same framework into clinical practice, supporting patients as active participants in their healthcare. Prior to Sarah's formal nursing education, she worked within the mental health field and is a certified rape crisis counselor in Massachusetts. Her Master's work culminated in a psychosocial support group curriculum, that combined therapeutic horseback riding and yoga, for survivors of trauma. With this background in integrative movement and mental health, Sarah strives to provide holistic care within the primary healthcare setting. She looks forward to identifying your healthcare goals with you.

Katie graduated from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2012 as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Prior to coming to the Community Health Center of Franklin County, she worked for 11 years in a community health center in Springfield. Katie has focused part of her professional career on the education of Nurse Practitioners and was pivotal and creating one of the region's first Nurse Practitioner Residency programs. Katie has a clinical interest in trauma informed care and complex primary care situations. Katie sees the primary care provider role as empowering patients to make decisions about their health care that helps them meet their personal goals for life and health. Katie provides gender-affirming care, office-based addiction treatment and general primary care for the whole family. Katie is able to provide medical care in Spanish

Frank grew up in Westminster, MD and Jacksonville, FL, graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018 with a master's degree in physician assistant studies. He previously worked as a hospitalist in Uniontown, PA and Pittsfield, MA, with particular interest in geriatric medicine. He is also passionate about preventing diabetes complications and collaborating with nephrology to manage chronic kidney disease. He enjoys birdwatching, Legos, and books, action figures or video games based on Star Wars.

Elyssa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst prior to obtaining her medical degrees. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner recently graduated from MCPHS University. Her clinical training over the years took place in Federally Qualified Health Centers, as well as in the school-based health setting, and in home care for medically complex older adults. Prior to moving to Western Massachusetts and starting at CHCFC as an FNP, she worked in Boston and in Worcester for 6 years as a nurse with a particular focus in chronic disease care management and in addiction medicine. She is passionate about promoting collaborative, holistic, and equitable health care for all. She has a special interest in preventative care, chronic disease management, infectious disease, and addiction medicine. She is looking forward to working with the patients in this community to support their individual healthcare needs and goals! Outside of work she enjoys trying new restaurants and recipes, a cup of tea with yoga or a book, and spending time outdoors with her husband and dog.

Dr Dickey studied biology at Williams College, did an internship at University of Michgan, then did the internal medicine residency at Cleveland's Metro Health Medical Center affiliated with Case Western Reserve University; he did post doctoral work at Harvard in occupational and environmental medicine with an interest in air pollution health effects. Dr Dickey is board certified in internal medicine and especially enjoys puzzling clinical cases. In his spare time he likes hiking, kayaking, xc skiing, playing jazz guitar and hanging out with his friends.