WHO WE ARE
Joshua Young, Nurse Practitioner
Josh lives in Kathleen with his wife and four kids. He is passionate about his family, and enjoys every moment spent with them. He loves trips to the beach, hunting in the fall, and landscaping at his home.
Josh has been in healthcare for over 20 years and has been an advance practitioner for over 12. Josh has an abundance of experience in orthopedics, but he is also well-versed in primary care, trauma, neurosurgery, pediatrics, and psychiatrics. He is well-known for his kind bedside manner and thoughtful care. He takes the time to sit down, get to know his patients, carefully listen to their concerns, then provides a specific treatment plan that will fix the root cause. He believes every patient that walks in the door is a priority.
Sarah Maples, Medical Assistant
Sarah earned her Associate Degree in Occupational Science from MMTC in 2013 and has since built a diverse career as a Certified Medical Assistant. Over the years, she has gained extensive hands-on experience across multiple specialties, including oncology/hematology, ENT, orthopedics, sports medicine, and wound care. This wide-ranging clinical background has allowed her to develop strong technical skills, adaptability, and a patient-centered approach to care.
She is known for her ability to work collaboratively with physicians and healthcare teams, ensuring patients receive compassionate, efficient, and high-quality care. Her experience in both fast-paced clinical environments and specialized practices has strengthened her organizational skills and attention to detail, making her a trusted resource for both colleagues and patients alike.
Outside of her professional work, Sarah enjoys an active and balanced lifestyle. She spends much of her free time outdoors hiking and gardening, and she also loves reading. At home, she treasures time with her dog, Pippa, and her cat, Chloe.
Brandi Elk, Medical Assistant
Brandi is a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) with a strong background in both orthopedics and primary care, bringing 8 years of hands-on experience supporting physicians, enhancing patient care, and ensuring smooth clinical operations. In orthopedic settings, Brandi has assisted with joint injections, post-operative care, and general patient care—demonstrating a solid understanding of musculoskeletal conditions and treatment plans. In primary care, she provides compassionate support across all age groups, managing routine health screenings, chronic condition monitoring, and preventative care services. Brandi is highly skilled in patient intake, EHR documentation, phlebotomy, vital signs, and clinical procedures; she combines technical expertise with a patient-first approach.
Brandi is a proud mom of two daughters, with a big heart and a passion for helping others—both in her personal life and her professional world. Whether she's supporting patients in the clinic or friends in her community, Brandi is known for her kindness, compassion, and willingness to go the extra mile. Outside of work, she loves spending time outdoors and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. Cooking for her family and making memories with her daughters are some of her greatest joys. Grounded, caring, and always ready to lend a hand, Brandi brings warmth and dedication to everything she does.
Meet Kharsten! Kharsten is currently pursuing her Nursing degree at Middle Georgia State University and has plans to work on the pediatric unit when she graduates. She then plans to continue her education to eventually become a Nurse Practitioner where she can have her own office to help children. She has always had a drive to help others and loves working with children and always felt that was the path for her.
When Kharsten is not in school, working, or studying, she is spending her free time with her fiancé Ryan and her two amazing dogs, Winston and Elvie. Kharsten and her fiancé are home bodies and love spending quality time together watching movies and playing board games. They are high school sweethearts, and have been together since 2018, and are getting married April 2026. She is in full wedding planning mode and turns to hobbies for stress relief. Some of her hobbies include singing and watching movies/musicals which she grew a love for at a young age. She spent a lot of time in theater and choir growing up and has always loved being on the stage making people smile. Before working with us, she worked at a boutique where she got to connect with so many people and help them feel beautiful and confident in any outfit they wore. She is very bubbly and loves to connect with people and make them smile.
Kharsten Gates, Medical Receptionist
Blair Young, Practice Manager
Blair is happily married to Josh and together, they share 4 kids. She enjoys soaking up every moment with her kids. and taking as many beach trips as possible.
Blair has enjoyed a variety of careers to include teaching, graphic design, and now a medical practice administrator. She and Josh are enjoying working together.