Local medical group, Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group (TPMG), a network of over 220 physicians and advanced practice clinicians in over 75 offices across the Tidewater area, is adding a variety of physicians to Williamsburg and Newport News.
The Orthopedics division is expanding with the addition of Nicholas A. Smerlis, MD, FAAOS, CAQSH, practicing in both Williamsburg and Newport News. Certified hand therapist, Kerry Bate, OT, CHT, joins both Physical Therapy locations in Williamsburg and Newport News. Joining well-established gastroenterologist, Richard J. Hartle, MD at Digestive Disease Center of Virginia is board certified gastroenterologist, Frances J. Jones, MD, FACG. Also joining in Williamsburg, osteopathic family medicine physician, Matthew D. Fenlason, DO, who will practice at Williamsburg Family Medicine.
“TPMG is providing the Williamsburg and Newport News community with an accomplished variety of physicians who offer specialized, compassionate medical care. We are honored to have such a talented group of providers joining us,” said TPMG Chief Medical Officer Steven Leblang, MD.
Dr. Nicholas A. Smerlis is a fellowship trained, board certified orthopedic hand surgeon specializing in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the hand, wrist, and elbow. Dr. Smerlis earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He then completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York and received further specialized training at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where he completed a hand fellowship prior to moving to the Hampton Roads area in 2007. Dr. Smerlis received a Certificate of Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand (CAQSH) in 2010.
Kerry Bate is a board certified Occupational Therapist specializing in hand and upper extremity therapy. Kerry has over 20 years of clinical experience in the field of occupational therapy and is a certified hand therapist. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and her Master of Occupational Therapy from New York University in New York. She has maintained certifications in Occupational Therapy through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and Hand Therapy through the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC).
After 20 years of dedicated service to the United States Air Force, Dr. Frances J. Jones joins TPMG Digestive Disease Center of Virginia. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. She completed her residency training through Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Fort Gordon, Georgia and received further training from the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, completing a fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology. With her prior military background, Dr. Jones has acquired extensive experience in the field of gastroenterology.
Dr. Matthew D. Fenlason earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Following graduation from medical school, Dr. Fenlason completed family medicine residency training in Hampton Roads, serving as Chief Resident and receiving the resident teaching award.
“The TPMG difference is providing our community with easy access to physicians to meet all of their needs. We are proud to expand in such a diverse way, encompassing a multitude of specialties,” said TPMG President Scott J. Banning, MD.
