The BridgeCare Team
Providing the care needed to help patients stay out of the hospital is BridgeCare's mission.
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Dr. Hershey has a decade of experience working as a hospitalist, outpatient clinician, health administrator, and health coach.
Dr. Harshini "Hershey" Jayasuriya, MD
Medical Director/Owner
Dr. Hershey has lived in Michigan for over 20 years and has made a commitment to serve and improve care in Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State College of Human Medicine in 2011 and was awarded early admission into MSU's Family Medicine Residency Program. For the past 10 years, she has worked as a medical director within many areas of medicine including inpatient, outpatient, rural health, PACE, hospice, and public health. Using her experience, she had her team put together a unique program to significantly reduce 30-day readmission rates. Using video visits, Dr. Hershey has been able to reach patients throughout the state.
Dr. Hershey currently sits on the board of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians and the MHA Physician Leaders Council. She resides near Lansing with her husband Adam and two daughters, Alexia and Arya.
Dr. Chris Chiou, MD
Health Literacy Content Creator
Dr. Chiou grew up in Nebraska. After attending college at Harvard, where he met his wife, he went on to medical school and completed his residency in Lansing, Michigan. He currently works as a medical writer for numerous organizations. His works have been featured in The Lansing State Journal and the American Academy of Family Physicians journal. His works can also be found on “What’s Up Doc?” – a YouTube channel devoted to health literacy.
Dr. Allison Thomas, MD
Physician
Dr. Thomas is a physician residing in Battle Creek with over 20 years of experience in primary care. Providing exceptional patient care to all adults is her passion.
Dr. Bryce Meck, MD
Physician
A Metro Detroit native, Dr. Meck went to medical school at Wayne State University and did her residency in Internal Medicine & Pediatrics at University of Missouri (MU). She is currently Board Certified in both specialties. She is well versed in the challenges of transition of hospital to home as she is both a hospitalist and primary care physician.
Dr. Jeffrey Ackerman, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
Jeffrey graduated from the Ferris State University College of Pharmacy in 2014. He completed a year-long residency in community pharmacy with LTAC and critical access experience, and he currently serves as the Director of Pharmacy for Mclaren (Lansing).
Austin Thomas
Practice Manager
Austin graduated from University of Michigan with a degree in Astrophysics and Biochemistry. Shortly after graduation, he joined a medical practice and now has over five years of experience in clinical management. Austin has a diverse background ranging from construction and home design to proficiency in multiple languages which he hopes to use those skillsets to bring fresh and innovative ideas to Bridgecare and accelerate the growth of the company.
Marisa West, MA
Medical Assistant
Marisa was born and raised in Michigan. She started her medical career right out of high school as a CNA and then continued her education to become a Nationally Certified Medical Assistant in 2018. In 2021, she married her husband, Edward, and had her son, Oscar.
She is a compassionate hard worker who takes the initiative to get things done.
Morgan Messing
Marketing Director
Morgan graduated with dual degrees in Human Biology and Studio Art/Graphic Design from Michigan State University. She considers herself a Professional Generalist and uses those skills to push BridgeCare's marketing forward.
Cora Vogt
Medical Assistant
Cora found her passion in healthcare after working at an assisted living facility soon after high school. Since then, she went to school to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and became trained in Dementia care while exploring a few different avenues before starting at Bridgecare. She recently settled down in a small town in Michigan with her husband and their many pets. Cora looks forward to helping people in need at Bridgecare every day.