familypractice

Dr. Catherine Cooper, D.O.

Dr. "Cathy" Cooper is Board Certified in Family Practice and Osteopathic Manipulation. She received her medical education from NOVA Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She completed her residency at Sun Coast Hospital in Largo, Florida. Dr. Cooper is on the Board of Governors for Manatee Memorial Hospital. Dr. Cooper was instrumental in establishing a residency program at Manatee Memorial Hospital. Before opening her practice here in Bradenton, Dr. Cooper served as a physician in the United States Navy.

Dr. Christopher Cooper, D.O.

Dr. Chris Cooper is Board Certified in Family Practice and Osteopathic Manipulation. He received his medical education from NOVA Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He completed his residency at Sun Coast Hospital in Largo, Florida. Dr. Cooper was previously the Chief of Staff at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. He also served in the United States Navy as a medical officer until 2004. Shortly thereafter, he opened Cooper Family Medical in Bradenton, Florida.

Dr. Andrew Clark, D.O.

Dr. Andy Clark is a Board Certified Family Practice and Sports Medicine physician. He received his medical education from NOVA Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He completed his residency at Sun Coast Hospital in Largo, Florida. Dr. Clark has been a team physician for many Florida professional, collegiate, and high school athletic programs. Dr. Clark is past President for the Manatee County Medical Society. He also serves as the Medical Doctor for the U17 USA National Soccer Team. He joined Cooper Family Medical in 2007 and became a managing partner in 2009.

Dr. Natalie Borg, D.O.

Dr. Natalie "Tasha" Borg is Board Certified in Family Practice and Osteopathic Medicine. She received her medical education from NOVA Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She completed her residency at Sun Coast Hospital in Largo, Florida, and joined Cooper Family Medical in 2009. Dr. Borg currently serves on the board for the Manatee County Medical Society.

Dr. James M. Pineno, M.D.

Dr. Pineno graduated from the University of Maryland with degrees in neurophysiology, Spanish and environmental science. He then attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine where he graduated in the top third of his class. Following medical school, he relocated to Florida and completed his residency in Family Medicine at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. Dr. Pineno joined Cooper Family Medical in 2012. Dr. James Pineno has accepted a position out of our immediate area and will be leaving Cooper Family Medical effective May 2nd, 2024. We wish him the best with his new opportunity. We will do everything we can to aid all of Dr. Pineno’s patients into a smooth transition to a new provider within our practice. Thank you all. Cooper Family Medical.

Dr. Bijal Patel, D.O.

Dr. Bijal Patel is Board Certified in Family Practice and Osteopathic Manipulation. She received her medical education from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, Missouri. She completed her internship at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital in Birmingham, AL, completing her residency at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, FL. Dr. Patel speaks fluent Hindi and Gujrati. Dr. Patel is a published author.

Dr. Cassandra Hafner, D.O.

Dr. Cassandra Hafner is Board Certified in Family Practice and Osteopathic Manipulation. She received her B.S. in Human Biology and Chemistry from Minnesota State University. Shortly thereafter she relocated to Bradenton to attend The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Wishing to make Bradenton her permanent home, she completed her Family Medicine residency at Manatee Memorial Hospital. Dr. Hafner is a member of the Manatee County Medical Society and was previously on the Board of Directors for WeCare Manatee.

Dr. Joseph Haider, D.O.

Dr. Joseph Haider is Board Certified in Family Medicine. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of California Irvine, and his medical degree at LECOM, in Bradenton, FL. Dr. Haider completed his Residency Program at Manatee Memorial Hospital in 2020 where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Haider is a native of Bradenton, FL. He is fluent in Farsi. When not working, Dr. Haider enjoys spending time with his two children, playing tennis, and cooking.

Ashley Metzgar, PA-C

Ashley Metzgar is a Nationally Certified Physician Assistant. She completed her Bachelor Degree at USF Tampa with a major in Biology, and minor in Psychology. She completed her Masters in Medical Science in 2010 from Nova Southeastern PA School in Ft. Myers, Florida, where she graduated as part of the Pi Alpha National Honors Society. Ashley has been practicing as a Primary Care Physician Assistant since 2011. She is a native to Sarasota, Florida, and enjoys spending quality time outdoors with her husband Brent, and her 2 sons.

Alexis Scott, PA-C

Alexis Scott is a Nationally Certified Physician Assistant. She completed her Bachelor Degree at University of Central Florida, Orlando, with a major in Health Sciences Alexis completed her Masters in Medical Science in 2019 from Nova Southeastern University PA School in Jacksonville, Florida. Alexis is a native of Bradenton Florida and enjoys spending time with her family and her German Shepard, 'Atlas'!'

Megan Hughes, APRN-C

Megan Hughes is a nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at University of Central Florida in 2000, and went on to complete her Associates Degree in Nursing at Florida South Western College in 2004. After working as an RN for 9 years with Lee Health System, she decided to further her education with a master’s degree in nursing from University of South Florida and has been practicing as a Nurse Practitioner since 2015. After spending 20 years in the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area, Megan, her husband and her 2 kids relocated to Bradenton in 2019. They enjoy spending time with their extended family and friends, boating, snorkeling, and fishing.

Carlina White-Youssouf, APRN-C

Carlina White-Youssouf is a nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She obtained an Associated Degree in Nursing in 2001 at Hillsborough Community College in 2001. After working as a RN for 13 years in the Maternal Child Units (Pediatrics, PICU and Neonatal ICU) at Tampa General Hospital; she decided to pursue further studies to obtain her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of South Florida in 2011. A Florida native and enjoys spending time with her family (husband and 2 daughters) and extended, reading, and watching movies.

Angie Patterson, ARNP, FNP

Angie Patterson is a nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She became a registered nurse in 2012 where she worked as a Charge Nurse on the Cardiac Unit at Manatee Memorial Hospital. Angie was honored in 2016 with the National DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Angie went on to complete her master’s degree in nursing at Chamberlain University. Angie was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, but has called Florida home since 2003. Angie, her husband Brad, and their 3 children enjoy spending time together outdoors and on the water.

Jon Russell, ARNP, FNP

Jon Russell is a nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of South Florida. While working as an ICU nurse at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Jon obtained his master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in Family Medicine. Jon was born and raised in Kentucky but has called Bradenton home since 2017 with his wife, Jenna, who is a Manatee County native; and their two sons. Jon enjoys spending time with his family, watching Kentucky basketball, and being outdoors.

Lauren Ricchiuti-Jackson, DO

Dr. Lauren Ricchiuti-Jackson "RJ" is Board Certified in Family Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Florida, and her medical degree from PCOM-Suwannee Georgia campus. She completed her Family Medicine residency at Manatee Memorial Hospital and decided to make Bradenton her permanent home with her husband and family. She joined Cooper Family Medical following graduation of residency in 2023. 

Samuel Dickmann, MD

Dr. Samuel Dickmann is board certified in Family Medicine. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 2014 and then completed his Family Medicine Residency at The University of Florida in 2017. He was employed by The University of Florida as a clinical faculty member in the Community Health and Family Medicine Department for 6 years before joining Cooper Family Medical in 2023. Dr. Dickmann grew up in Bradenton and Sarasota, and he enjoys outdoor activities, sports, and spending time with his wife and son. He is passionate about preventative health care and evidence-based treatments for patients.

Sean Smith, RMSKS, RVT

Sean Smith RMSKS, RVT, came to Cooper Family Medical with over 20 years of experience, having trained under renown cardiologists and vascular specialists. Sean holds the distinction of being among the first sonographers to secure board certification in musculoskeletal ultrasound. Prior to joining Cooper Family Medical, Sean owned a successful mobile ultrasound company for 11 years. Sean, his wife Michelle, and their 3 children are natives of this area. They enjoy boating, travel, and soccer in their time away from work.