Leadership and Faculty

Ryan Arias, DO, is a core faculty member in the Family Medicine Residency at Beebe Healthcare’s R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education. He provides supervision in the Continuity Clinic and inpatient academic service. Dr. Arias graduated Magna Cum Laude from Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine in Buies Creek, North Carolina. He has served as a Teaching Assistant of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and an Adjunct Professor of Family Medicine at his alma mater. He completed his residency at Harnett Health in Coats, North Carolina, where he rose to Chief Resident of the Family Medicine Residency. Dr. Arias speaks both English and Spanish. “I chose academic medicine because I have always loved to teach. It has been a passion of mine since my undergraduate years, and during the course of my residency I knew teaching medicine was something that I needed to be a part of my career moving forward” Dr. Arias precepts patients with the resident physicians, including OMT at Beebe Primary Care Long Neck. He also works with the resident physicians on the inpatient academic service at the main Lewes Campus. He currently leads the development and teaching of the simulation curriculum at our state of the art simulation center in the Margaret Rollins School of Nursing.

Luis J. Castro, MD is our FMOB. Our resident physicians work with him on labor and delivery and in urgent care. He is board certified in Family Medicine and cares for patients at Beebe’s Walk-In Care Clinics. He is also a family medicine obstetrician and a member of the teaching faculty for Beebe’s Family Medicine Residency. A family medicine physician uniquely trained in managing pregnancies and delivering babies, in addition to providing primary care for all ages, Dr. Castro has 20 years of experience as a family medicine obstetrician in Syracuse, New York. He has a passion for prenatal care and obstetrics. Dr. Castro earned his medical degree at SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse. He completed his family medicine residency at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. He has presented on numerous occasions on multicultural health, obstetrics, and health literacy. Prior to joining Beebe Healthcare, Dr. Castro served as the Medical Director for Saint Joseph’s Primary Care Center West for more than 20 years, doubling the facility footprint and tripling the number of families served, as well as expanding services to include mental health, dental, vision, nutrition counseling, prenatal counseling, and imaging. He also taught Family Medicine as a clinical associate professor at Upstate Medical University. In his free time, Dr. Castro enjoys the outdoors thanks to Sussex County’s mild weather compared to northern New York. In addition to local state parks and beaches, he enjoys snow- and waterskiing, and is an avid CrossFitter.

Jeffrey Hawtof, MD, FAAFP
Core Faculty

Jeffrey Hawtof, MD, FAAFP, serves as the Director of Medical Education at Beebe Healthcare. In this role, he is responsible for leading, shaping and directing medical education at Beebe Healthcare. He is board certified in family medicine and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Hawtof earned his medical degree at the Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He then completed the Family Medicine Residency at Riverside Regional Medical Center in NewportNews, Virginia. He was the Chief Medical Officer for Beebe Healthcare for 10 years before becoming the Director of Medical Education. Dr. Hawtof sees his patients at Beebe Primary Care Rehoboth. “I am personally vested in the development and launch of Beebe’s medical education programs, including the Family Medicine Residency because I know from my own experience just how valuable residency training is, in the pursuit of a career in medicine. We are building a curriculum that will give our residents exposure to all facets of family medicine and will prepare them to work as family care providers who can make a positive difference in the lives of others. It is a great honor and privilege to lead these programs and to work with a team of colleagues who are committed to excellence in medical education and training.”

Cynthia Lamour, DO
Core Faculty/Medical Director, Residency Continuity Practice

Cynthia Lamour, DO, is general faculty in the Family Medicine Residencat Beebe Healthcare’s R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education and provides supervision in the Residency Continuity Clinic. She received her medical degree from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency in family medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau. She is a Diplomate of The American Board of Obesity Medicine, signifying specialized knowledge in diagnoses, management, and treatment of patients with obesity. She previously worked as a primary care provider at Mount Sinai South Nassau Primary Medical Care in New York. She sees patients and precepts with the resident physicians at Beebe Primary Care Long Neck. In addition, Dr. Lamour is also the physician chair for the wellness committee for the Family Medicine Residency.

Jeff Leggit, MD
Faculty, POCUS Instructor

Jeff Leggit, MD, is a primary care sports medicine specialist who practices at Beebe Healthcare, and is part of the healthcare system’s rapidly-growing Family Medicine Residency program. As a faculty member, Dr. Leggit collaborates closely with family medicine residents and program leaders to optimize care delivery models for patients at Beebe Primary Care Longneck. He also supports continued development of clinic procedures as well curriculum for residents who are completing their post-doctoral training at Beebe. Dr. Leggit is a graduate of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, located in Bethesda, Maryland. Following graduation from medical school, he pursued an internship and residency training – both with focus on family medicine, at the DeWitt Army Community Hospital, located in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Dr. Leggit’s training continued with a fellowship at his alma matter, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and concluded with completion of a Command and General Staff Officer’s course, facilitated by the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Dr. Leggit is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians (Uniformed Services Branch), the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the American Medical Athletic Association, and the American Academy of Pain Management. He is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, with a certificate of added qualification in primary care sports medicine. Prior to joining Beebe, Dr. Leggit was a family medicine faculty member at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Throughout his career, he has served the United States military in numerous leadership-based clinical roles, spanning across the country. In tandem, he was an active participate in countless research activities, focused on primary care sports medicine and the use of acupuncture and other therapeutic treatments to optimize the healing process. Dr. Leggit’s expertise and unwavering commitment to the field of medicine have earned him honors as the recipient of numerous prestigious military awards, in addition to many teaching-based awards. When he is not working, Dr. Leggit enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Mary, their daughter Erica and her husband, Cole, and their son Nick. He loves spending time on the local beaches.

Carolyn O'Conor, MD
Preceptor

Carolyn O’Conor, MD, is a preceptor at Beebe Primary Care Long Neck, providing clinical oversight, education, support, and mentorship for family medicine residents as they see patients in the clinic setting. As a long-time clinical educator and passionate family medicine physician, she is committed to cultivating the next generation of family physicians who will serve Sussex County. Dr. O’Conor earned her medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and completed her internship and residency within the UCLA Division of Family Medicine. She is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and is a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society Board of Directors. Prior to joining Beebe, Dr. O’Conor served as a family medicine physician at several practices in Maryland, including Montgomery Medical Group, Georgetown University Physician Practice at Rockville, and Spectrum Family Medicine. She also served as a newborn hospitalist for Pediatrix Medical Group, and as a primary care provider at Comprehensive Primary Care and Associates. Earlier in her career, Dr. O’Conor held key leadership positions at Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville, Maryland, including service as both President and Vice President of the Medical Staff, and Chair and Vice Chair of the Medical Center’s Department of Family Medicine. Additionally, she worked as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Health Care Science at The George Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. O’Conor is proud to be a part of Beebe Healthcare and advocates for its mission to serve the people of Sussex County. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, listening to live music, traveling, and enjoying the company of her family and friends. Dr. O’Conor and her husband, Joe, have three adult children and are excited to take on a new role in September 2024, with their first grandchild expected.

Kaitlyn Ruffing, MD
Core Faculty

Kaitlyn Ruffing, MD, is an internal medicine and pediatrics care provider who is part of Beebe Healthcare’s medical staff. She treats patients of all ages who have been diagnosed with various medical issues, and has specialized training to care for those diagnosed with complex neurodevelopmental disorders. As a Family Medicine Residency faculty member, Dr. Ruffing works closely with resident physicians who are in training at the R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education. Additionally, on a rotational basis, she works as a hospitalist at Beebe, providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages who have been admitted to the hospital for management of acute and chronic medical issues. Dr. Ruffing is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where she earned her medical degree. She went on to complete a combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency program at Stony Brook University Hospital, located in New York. Dr. Ruffing is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Ruffing completed an imbedded fellowship in Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) and taught “Introduction to Clinical Medicine” as a Clinical Instructor for first and second-year medical students. She also worked as a Clinical Investigator while pursuing residency training, with focus on transitional medicine in pediatric rheumatology. Dr. Ruffing is a fitness enthusiast; she enjoys swimming and strength training. Additionally, she earned an undergraduate degree in music performance and continues to play the flute in group settings. Dr. Ruffing and her husband are happy to call Sussex County home, and they enjoy visiting area beaches and fishing in the local waterways.

Wendi Schirvar, PhD
Behavioral Health Faculty

Wendi Schirvar, PhD, LP, NCSP, is a member of the core faculty in the Family Medicine Residency at Beebe Healthcare’s R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education. Dr. Schirvar is a licensed Clinical Psychologist hired by Beebe Healthcare, she concentrates on supporting and advancing the healthcare system’s behavioral health service line. Dr. Schirvar develops, implements, and coordinates behavioral health programs through fostering collaborative networks between primary care and behavioral health specialists. She is passionate about educating providers and patients about the connection between physical and mental health. Additionally, Dr. Schirvar sees patients of all ages at Beebe Primary Care Long Neck in Millsboro, where she treats and evaluates a number of clinical and behavioral conditions including autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, developmental delays, dementia, and complicated behavioral presentations. In her role as core faculty for Beebe’s Family Medicine Residency, her focus is on the enhancement of educational and well-being opportunities for resident physicians and faculty.
Dr. Schirvar earned her PhD in Educational Psychology and School Psychology at the University of Minnesota. She completed a post-doctoral clinical fellowship within the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University of Minnesota Medical School. She is licensed in the state of Delaware as a Clinical Psychologist and a School Psychologist, and is also nationally certified as a school psychologist.
Prior to joining Beebe Healthcare, Dr. Schirvar served as a pediatric Clinical Psychologist and chief operating officer at the Child and Family Behavioral Health Clinic in Lewes. Earlier in her career, she worked as a mental health practitioner and school psychologist for various school systems in Delaware, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Throughout her career, Dr. Schirvar’s research has been presented and published in numerous respectable industry publications.
Dr. Schirvar engages in an array of outdoor fitness adventures while also enjoying museums, concerts, and “ducking” on the beach. She is the proud mom of three exquisite adult children – Gabriel, Samuel, and Charlie – whom she is thrilled to live near and visits often.