Family Medicine Residency
LEADERSHIP
Founding Program Director
Joyce Robert, MD, FAAFP, is the Founding Program Director of Family Medicine Residency at Beebe Healthcare's R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education. She is responsible for developing, designing, and implementing a new, community-based residency program, accounting for strategic planning, research, curriculum development, planning of scholarly activities, and faculty recruitment and development. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She is an active board member of the Delaware Academy of Family Physicians (DAFP) and the Medical Society of Delaware. Dr. Robert is a graduate of SUNY Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, and Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education (CUNY School of Medicine) in New York City. She completed her post graduate training in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Program – Downtown Residency in Urban Family Medicine. Dr. Robert has over 10 years’ experience teaching at one of the largest residencies and fellowship programs in the nation. She is excited to start the family medicine residency at Beebe Healthcare. Dr. Robert sees patients at Beebe Primary Care Long Neck; the site of the Family Medicine Residency Continuity Clinic.
FACULTY
Ryan Arias, DO
Core 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.
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
General Faculty
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.
Ernest Gelb, DO, FACOFP
Preceptor
Ernest Gelb, DO, FACOFP, is a preceptor within Beebe Healthcare’s family medicine residency and provides clinical oversight at the Family Medicine Residency Practice. He provides instrumental support for medical school graduates as they orient to residency training and continue to grow their clinical capabilities in the patient care environment. Dr. Gelb collaborates with resident physicians to develop a comprehensive plan of care for each patient, with focus on optimizing both clinical outcomes and the patient experience. Dr. Gelb is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and completed an internship at Botsford General Hospital in Michigan. He is a Diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners for Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, and of the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice. Prior to joining Beebe Healthcare, Dr. Gelb was a clinical provider and faculty member within Tideland Health’s family medicine residency, located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Earlier in his career, he served as an assistant professor of family medicine at Sullivan County Medical Center in Pennsylvania, and in various leadership roles within the family practice division at Wyoming Valley Healthcare System. Personal Interests Dr. Gelb and his wife of 40 years, Barbara, are parents to four grown and accomplished children: Clancy, Damon, Matthew, and Benjamin. They also have six grandchildren. He enjoys spending quality time with his family, as well as golfing and target shooting. Dr. Gelb feels blessed and fortunate to call Lewes his home.
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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.
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.
Family Medicine Obstetrics
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.