We have a knowledgeable and friendly team of front desk staff and clinical medical assistants, plus:

• April Wallace, BSHCA, CMA, Office Manager. April is our very capable office manager who guides and motivates our team. She is committed to improving the overall patient experience at our practice and constantly endeavors to upgrade and modernize our practice.
• Melissa Williams and Missy Argenio, Patient Accounts/Billing. are in charge of patient accounts and billing. They are usually the point persons who assist patients with insurance and billing issues.
• Brandi Kerr, NRCMA, CRC, Clinical Operations Supervisor. Brandi supervises many of the day-to-day clinical operations of the office. She focuses on ensuring patient satisfaction and diligently works to maintain high quality standards of the practice.

Heidi Daugherty, MSN, CNP, CDE

Heidi earned a bachelor’s degree in biology as well as a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. In 2008, she completed her master of science in nursing and received certification as an adult nurse practitioner (CNP) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Heidi joined Diabetes and Endocrinology Associates of Stark County, Inc. immediately after finishing her master’s degree in 2008. With an interest in helping our diabetic patients, Heidi pursued advanced training in diabetes, becoming a certified diabetes educator (CDE) in 2011. She is also an advanced diabetes practice nurse.

Heidi is also a certified trainer for several insulin pumps. She has attended several state and national meetings organized by the American Diabetes Association, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

Heidi works in close collaboration with and under the supervision of Dr. Krishna. She is admired by our patients for her concern for their well-being and the thoroughness of her examinations.

Heidi is a fitness enthusiast. She regularly participates in various marathons across the country and is a proud recipient of numerous medals in these running events.

Laura H. Fries, MSN, FNP-C

Sincere caring forms the foundation of Laura’s advanced-practice nursing philosophy.

Laura obtained her associate degree in nursing from Stark State College in North Canton, and her bachelor of science in nursing from Ohio University in Athens. She then earned a master of science in nursing / FNP, also from Ohio University. She is certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as a family nurse practitioner.

Laura not only has advanced knowledge and skills built upon her experience as an RN, but she is also described by patients and colleagues alike as a trusted and caring health care provider. Laura has years of experience as an RN in the pediatric ICU at Akron Children’s Hospital, and at Aultman Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and adult cardiac surgical intensive care unit (CSICU). In the CSICU, she was involved in post-operative management of patients with diabetes. During her career at Aultman, Laura has also been a committee member and chair of hospital organizational committees.

At Diabetes and Endocrinology Associates of Stark County, Inc., Laura has received training on various insulin pumps and several outpatient endocrine diagnostic procedures. She is also one of the trained coaches for our revolutionary weight-loss program.

Laura practices in close collaboration with and under the supervision of Dr. Krishna.  She is passionate about forming trusting and enduring relationships with patients and their families.

Sanjana Bhattarai Pandey, MSN, FNP-C

Sanjana graduated from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a master of science in the family nurse practitioner program. She holds a current RN license, along with an FNP certification through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Beyond her enthusiasm and dedication, Sanjana has an impressive background in nursing. Prior to obtaining her nurse practitioner certification, she has worked as a charge nurse in the Critical Care Step-down unit at Aultman hospital, Canton, Ohio.

Sanjana eagerly serves the patients of Diabetes and Endocrinology Associates of Stark County, Inc. Along with her education and experience, she has excellent patient assessment skills and likes to incorporate holistic care to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Sanjana has received training on various insulin pumps and several outpatient endocrine diagnostic procedures at our practice. She practices in close collaboration with and under the supervision of Dr. Krishna.

Julia Sturm, MSN, FNP-C

Julia graduated from the Walsh University Byers School of Nursing, North Canton, Ohio, with a master of science in the family nurse practitioner program. She holds a current RN license, along with an FNP certification through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Julia is committed to providing compassionate and ethical medical care. She has had extensive experience in nursing. Prior to obtaining her nurse practitioner certification, she has worked as a registered nurse in the Medical Surgical Unit at Akron General Cleveland Clinic, Akron, Ohio. She has also served as a registered nurse preceptor at Akron General Cleveland Clinic.

Julia is affiliated with Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Julia is dedicated to serving the patients of Diabetes and Endocrinology Associates of Stark County, Inc. She also has a passion to promote wellness within the health care community.

Julia has received training on various insulin pumps and several outpatient endocrine diagnostic procedures at our practice. She practices in close collaboration with and under the supervision of Dr. Krishna.

Beth A. Lawrence, RD, LD, CDE

Beth is a licensed, registered dietician and also a certified diabetes educator (CDE).

Beth has a long experience in the field of nutrition and diabetes teaching.  She has been a Clinical Dietician and Weight Management Program Instructor, in hospital systems in North Carolina. Thereafter for over 12 years she served as the Dietician and Wellness Educator at the Alliance Community hospital in Ohio. Beth has strong interpersonal skills that allow close collaboration with the patients and other clinical providers in our practice. She has the ability to use technology to engage patients in personal health management. Beth is also one of the trained coaches for our revolutionary weight-loss program.

Beth is a certified trainer for Medtronic, OMNIPOD, Tandem (T-slim) insulin pumps and has successfully initiated insulin pumps on very many patients in our office over the years. She keeps UpToDate on the latest advances in insulin pumps and Continuous Glucose Sensor including the Closed-loop systems.

Beth is liked by our patients for her expertise and personalized approach to helping patients with their nutrition and wellness goals.  She works in close collaboration with and under the supervision of Dr. Krishna.

Heidi Daugherty, MSN, CNP, CDE

Heidi earned a bachelor’s degree in biology as well as a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. In 2008, she completed her master of science in nursing and received certification as an adult nurse practitioner (CNP) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Heidi joined Diabetes and Endocrinology Associates of Stark County, Inc. immediately after finishing her master’s degree in 2008. With an interest in helping our diabetic patients, Heidi pursued advanced training in diabetes, becoming a certified diabetes educator (CDE) in 2011. She is also an advanced diabetes practice nurse.

Heidi is also a certified trainer for several insulin pumps. She has attended several state and national meetings organized by the American Diabetes Association, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

Heidi works in close collaboration with and under the supervision of Dr. Krishna. She is admired by our patients for her concern for their well-being and the thoroughness of her examinations.

Heidi is a fitness enthusiast. She regularly participates in various marathons across the country and is a proud recipient of numerous medals in these running events

Beth A. Lawrence, RD, LD, CDE

Beth is a licensed, registered dietician and also a certified diabetes educator (CDE).

Beth has a long experience in the field of nutrition and diabetes teaching.  She has been a Clinical Dietician and Weight Management Program Instructor in hospital systems in North Carolina. Thereafter for over 12 years she served as the Dietician and Wellness Educator at the Alliance Community hospital in Ohio. Beth has strong interpersonal skills that allow close collaboration with the patients and other clinical providers in our practice. She has the ability to use technology to engage patients in personal health management. Beth is also one of the trained coaches for our revolutionary weight-loss program.

Beth is liked by our patients for her expertise and personalized approach to helping patients with their nutrition and wellness goals.  She works in close collaboration with and under the supervision of Dr. Krishna.

Our instructors are trained for i-Pro, Freestyle Libre and Dexcom continuous glucose sensor placements, download, and instructions. They work in close collaboration with and under the supervision of Dr. Krishna. Several of our clinical staff, nursing, medical assistant team members are competent with these continuous glucose sensors and hybrid closed loop systems -sensors communicating with insulin pumps.

Brandi Kerr, NRCMA, Erica Ness, BS, Kara Pope, ChPT, Kirstan Miller, BS, Goknel (Nell) Dumanli, BS are our experienced research coordinators and the usual point of contact for patients participating in research studies at our office.

They have helped our research site be recognized as one of the top performing sites in the nation for several major clinical trials. They have received accolades from several major trial sponsors for their diligence and attention to detail. They are always ready to guide and help patients who are enrolled in the clinical trials. They ensure our patients' interest are the top priority.

All members of our research team have Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification, Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) certification of the US Department of Health and Human Services as well as several additional trainings in conducting scientific research at our office.

Research coordinators work under the guidance and supervision of Dr. Krishna.

• Principal investigator Dr. Krishna
• Subprincipal investigators
• Clinical research coordinators
• Unblinded coordinator
• GCP-certified dietician
• Regulatory coordinator