DeAndra Young

I was born and raised in NC. I earned my ADN from Vance-Granville Community College and earned my BSN and MSN from the University of Mount Olive. I have over seven years of experience in care management, as well as experience in hospice and dialysis. I transferred from the 7800: Pulmonary Stepdown unit at Duke University Hospital (DUH) to DukeWELL, and I am excited to return to care management. I love helping patients navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. In my down time, I enjoy spending time with my children, watching scary movies, and going to the beach.

Michele Walker

I have been a nurse for 27 years; 26 of those were spent as a bedside nurse in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I have also spent some time working in the Operating Room. I am thankful for the opportunity to now serve patients from outside the hospital and assist them with all of their healthcare needs.

Sumana Gaddam

I am an expert clinical RN with over 25 years of experience in multiple international settings in various capacities as a care provider and leader. My journey with Duke Health began in 2006 at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Outpatient Pediatric Specialties where I enjoyed the patients and found it very valuable. Each patient has a special place and purpose, and I look forward to helping patients and their families strive for the best health! 

Elizabeth "Liz" Taylor

After growing up in Maryland, I graduated with my BSN from Liberty University in Virginia. Armed with my new degree, I immediately started looking for new ways to help nurture and help the community. I now have experience in oncology, school nursing, and management, and I have been with Duke Health since 2021. We want to see this community thrive! In my free time, my husband and I enjoy traveling and camping just for fun.

Siera Merritt

Even at a young age, I knew I wanted to do something with my life where I was able to work with children. I began my nursing career in pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant. As my love for children and healthcare continued to grow, so did my desire to be able to use my abilities in more of a community aspect. Duke Health has allowed me to intertwine my passion for children, healthcare, and the community. I love being able to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of children and their families.

Kathryn Keicher

I’m a Durham native with 18 years of clinical social work experience. My background is in maternal fetal health care, pediatrics, and infectious disease. I enjoy partnering with patient families to meet their health goals and building strong relationships with health care teams.

Irina Romanova

I have a little over ten years of experience in healthcare and have worked in various settings within the healthcare system. I first started off as a nursing assistant and have worked my way through many different roles to gain knowledge and familiarity with all sides of healthcare. I have had the opportunity to work in inpatient hospitals, physician offices, and outpatient clinic settings. These experiences have allowed me to grow my skills as a nurse and caregiver but have also helped me understand the numerous challenges many patients face while trying to navigate the healthcare system.

Chelsea Tart

I have been a nurse for five years. I worked for two years with adults and three years in pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant. My favorite part of being a nurse is feeling like my job makes a difference. Nursing is one the few professions in which we make a difference, no matter the role.