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Jessica Champagne is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with several years of experience in a variety of both inpatient and outpatient settings. Jessica takes a holistic approach to patient care, often combining traditional medicine with lifestyle modifications and complementary therapies. She says, “I want to know my patients as unique individuals - understand their motivations, values, goals - that way I can provide the best possible care”. Jessica joined Advance Telemedicine in 2023 and is eager to guide her patients on their path to optimal wellness.

Michele Vallee, APRN has over a decade of experience in hospital, school and community settings caring for patients. After listening to thousands of patients’ concerns, the growing need for additional access to health care became increasingly clear. More patients were spending many hours in the emergency room to receive basic health care. ER visits were not only costly and time consuming but often described as impersonal. Realizing that patients were frustrated with the lack of health care options available Michele Vallee was motivated to make a difference and started Advance Telemedicine. “We understand that health concerns can arise at a moment’s notice. Especially on nights and weekends, making an appointment to see a primary care provider may be difficult and an emergency room visit may not be necessary. That is why we provide flexible hours for patients while providing the same quality of care at an affordable price,” says Michele Vallee, APRN.

About Our Practice

Thomas S. Ziering, MD, is a compassionate family practitioner serving patients in Morristown, New Jersey. Having practiced traditional family medicine for more than 30 years, Dr. Ziering has an exceptional career and the unique privilege and perspective of treating ALL patients and families regardless of gender identity, sexual identity, or medical issue. He has delivered more than 150 newborns in his career and many of the children he has cared for now bring their children and families to him.

Dr. Ziering graduated from Rutgers University Medical School in Newark and completed his residency at RWJ University Somerset Medical Center in 1990 where he was honored as the Top Resident Educator. Notably, he was part of the initial clinical trials as a clinical researcher for HIV illness during the HIV crisis in 1992. He is now one of the only private practices to treat and teach PrEP, PEP, and HIV care, as well as hormone therapy for men, women, and trans patients.

Sharing his wealth of knowledge and dedicated to education, Dr. Ziering lectures nationally and statewide and has been integral in teaching physician assistants, nurse practitioners, medical students, residents, physicians, and faculty at many of New Jersey’s various programs. Dr. Ziering was also the former Medical Director of LGBTQI Services for a private medical corporation from 2015-2017. Most recently he was a speaker at the New Jersey Academy of Family Medicine in the first lecture on LGBTQI Medicine for Physicians in Practice.

Dr. Ziering, whose patients endearingly refer to as Tom, has had the privilege of electives in England (Oncology), Miami, Florida (Dermatology), and Dallas, Texas (Cardiology). He has been honored with over 40 Top Physician Awards including “Top Doctors” and “Most Compassionate Physician” in New Jersey Monthly Magazine, Inside New Jersey Magazine, New York Magazine, Ladies Home Journal, US News and World Report, and most recently listed in “Top Physician in Women’s Health Care.” Seeing the lack of an Independent Family Practice Department at Morristown Medical Center, Dr. Ziering developed and established one in 1994 and chaired the department for six years.

Having been in Medical Education, Medical Administration, Concierge Medicine and Corporate Medicine, Dr. Ziering has found his passion as a healer to be most effective in Private Practice. By not limiting patient visits to 5-10 minutes, he has found the most comfortable and most involved method of practice with a half-hour to one-hour visit, depending on health issues. In this manner, multiple medical issues and mental health issues can be addressed often in one visit. Furthermore, the ‘exam rooms’ are set up more like small living rooms with home furnishings, aromatherapy, sound soothers and artwork conducive to a calm and relaxed discussion. Every aspect of the patient experience is important to Dr. Ziering, and he looks forward to helping improve the health outcomes of all those under his care and seeing them thrive.

Board-certified physician Hitesh Patel, MD, provides expert primary care services for people living and working in Brick, New Jersey, at his practice Premier Healthcare Associates, PC. Dr. Patel is a highly skilled and experienced internal medicine and obesity medicine specialist. 

Dr. Patel is conveniently located near Ocean University Medical Center part of Hackensack Meridian Health in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility. An electronic medical records system is used to maintain your private health records. Most prescriptions are sent out electronically. The practice delivers professional yet compassionate care for people suffering from a wide range of disorders, including thyroid disease, mental health disorders, heart disease, diabetes, and COPD. Dr. Patel also offers additional services, including physical examinations, medical weight loss management, and aesthetic treatments such as skin tightening with TempSure® Envi.

Dr. Patel went to Loyola University of Chicago in Illinois to complete an undergraduate degree with a double major in chemistry and biology. He was awarded the Loyola University Presidential Scholarship (a tuition merit scholarship), was a Pre-Medical Honor Society National Member, and on the Dean's List. Dr. Patel went on to study at Ross University School of Medicine, graduating in 2000. His areas of study included nephrology, urology, gastroenterology, cardiology, psychiatry, neurology, pulmonary disease, ICU (intensive care), surgery, and infectious diseases.

For his postgraduate training in internal medicine, Dr. Patel went to West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois, then St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Center, part of New York Medical College in Queens, New York City. After completing his training, Dr. Patel worked as a staff physician and an attending teaching physician. He was also an occupational physician for Continental Airlines at Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, before launching his private practice in 2006.

Dr. Patel is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, and the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. He is fluent in Gujarati and Hindi as well as English. In his spare time, Dr. Patel enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing his hobbies.     

Todd Halper, MD, is a board-certified primary care doctor and family medicine physician at Halper Family Medicine in Rockville Centre and Bayport, New York. Dr. Halper grew up watching his father treat patients in his community and form lasting relationships throughout their care. Today, he works hard at his private practice to take care of his patients as if they’re members of his own family and helps them avoid getting ill with preventive care.

Dr. Halper earned his degree in medicine from the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medicine St. Augustine in Trinidad. He then moved back to his home state of New York for a residency in family practice at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. In 2009 during this residency, his outstanding communication skills and knowledge were recognized when he earned the Resident Teacher Award.

Halper Family Medicine is known as the best health care facility in the area. Dr. Halper offers a wide variety of services for patients of all ages, including Botox® injections, IV infusions, regenerative medicine using their own PRP or stem cells, and annual physical exams. He dedicates the necessary time to explain his patients’ conditions and treatments in-depth so that they have a complete understanding of their own care.

When he isn’t at Halper Family Medicine caring for patients, Dr. Halper loves to give back to his community through volunteer work. He teaches future doctors at New York’s Stony Brook University and Hofstra University in Hempstead.

Our office provides PRIMARY care for your health. We pledge to continue to provide an environment to meet your needs as a person.

Christopher Xikis, PA-C, is a certified physician’s assistant at Victory Recovery Partners, which has locations in Farmingville, Shirley, and Massapequa, New York. 

Chris started his education at the State University of New York at Farmingdale, where he earned an associate’s degree in biomedical engineering technology and was inducted into the Alpha Eta National Honor Society for Allied Health. He then completed a Physician Assistant Bachelor of Science at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he was the recipient of the Outstanding Professional Service Award and president of the Physician Assistant Student Society.

Prior to joining Victory Recovery Partners, Chris held several physician assistant positions in New York, including a private cardiology practice, vascular surgery, and in a chemical dependency unit at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, New York. While at St. Charles Hospital, he also received training for medication-assisted treatment in opioid and alcohol abuse disorders. 

Chris is a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and a guest lecturer for the Stony Brook Physician Assistant’s Program.

Paolo T. Coppola, MD, FACEP, is an experienced physician who serves as the Medical Director for Victory Recovery Partners, which has locations in Farmingville, Shirley, and Massapequa, New York. Dr. Coppola is board-certified in Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine.  He relies on his years of experience providing medication-assisted treatment to people experiencing substance use disorders.

Dr. Coppola simultaneously earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics at New York University and a Bachelor of Engineering at The Cooper Union in New York in 1990. He completed his medical degree at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. 

He then completed his residency in emergency medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, before beginning his career as an attending physician in the emergency department of Brookhaven Memorial Hospital in East Patchogue, New York.

To better serve the diverse communities in New York City, Dr. Coppola is multilingual and speaks English and Italian fluently. He is board-certified in addiction medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine and board-certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Society of Chest Pain Centers.

Christina began her career as a high school special education teacher in a high-needs school district on Long Island. Seeing the generational effect of addiction and alcoholism within family systems, Christina found a new passion and became a credentialed addiction professional through the New York State Office of Addiction Supports and Services.

Christina played a pivotal role in establishing the foundation for our flagship OASAS-certified outpatient program. Her leadership and commitment were instrumental in shaping our program's success. Christina also previously served as the Executive Director of our Shirely location.

In addition to her career at Victory, Christina has also served previously as the Director of Access at Wellbridge Addiction Treatment and Research, a close referral partner of Victory, where she worked to reduce barriers and increase patient access to life-saving treatment.

Christina is located out of our Massapequa, Hempstead, and Hicksville offices.

Steven J. Salvatore, DO, is board-certified in emergency medicine and is the Chief Medical Officer at Victory Recovery Partners, which has locations in Farmingville, Shirley, and Massapequa, New York. 

A Long Island native, Dr. Salvatore majored in biology at Fordham University in The Bronx, New York, before completing a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at the NY College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, New York. He then completed a medical internship at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York City and a residency in emergency medicine at the Long Island Jewish Hospital in Lake Success, New York, which is currently part of the Northwell Healthcare System.

His early work experience includes several emergency department positions at New York City hospitals and a medical director position with two medical facilities in Farmingville and Ronkonkoma, New York.

An experienced television host and medical correspondent, Dr. Salvatore shared his knowledge on The Dr. Steve Show, a nationally syndicated program. He also appeared on CW 11 Morning News, Discovery Channel, Fox 5 News, Fox News Channel, and CNN as a medical correspondent.

Dr. Salvatore is board-certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He also maintains certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Michael Jurewicz, MD, is a dedicated urologist and the founder of Vantage Medical Associates, P.C., which has locations in the Bergen Beach, Coney Island, Williamsburg, and Sheepshead Bay neighborhoods in Brooklyn, the Far Rockaway neighborhood in Queens, and Brentwood, West Hempstead, and Babylon, New York. Dr. Jurewicz has extensive experience in providing exceptional men’s health care. 

Dr. Jurewicz earned his bachelor’s degree in brain, behavior, and cognitive sciences from Michigan University in 2007. He then went on to pursue his doctorate in medicine at Wayne State University, graduating in 2011. Following medical school, he received post-graduate training in general surgery, urology, and infertility around medical clinics in Miami, Florida, and New Hyde Park, New York. 

He is certified by the American Board of Urology. To provide the highest quality of care at Vantage Medical Associates, P.C., Dr. Jurewicz holds professional memberships in the American Urological Association, Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, Society for the Study of Male Reproduction, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Society. 

In addition to serving patients, Dr. Jurewicz is also actively involved in clinical research for infertility, hypogonadism, bladder tumors, prostate issues, and several other urology topics. He is a co-author of “The Complete Guide to Male Fertility Preservation.”

 

Todd Halper, MD, is a board-certified primary care doctor and family medicine physician at Halper Family Medicine in Rockville Centre and Bayport, New York. Dr. Halper grew up watching his father treat patients in his community and form lasting relationships throughout their care. Today, he works hard at his private practice to take care of his patients as if they’re members of his own family and helps them avoid getting ill with preventive care.

Dr. Halper earned his degree in medicine from the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medicine St. Augustine in Trinidad. He then moved back to his home state of New York for a residency in family practice at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. In 2009 during this residency, his outstanding communication skills and knowledge were recognized when he earned the Resident Teacher Award.

Halper Family Medicine is known as the best health care facility in the area. Dr. Halper offers a wide variety of services for patients of all ages, including Botox® injections, IV infusions, regenerative medicine using their own PRP or stem cells, and annual physical exams. He dedicates the necessary time to explain his patients’ conditions and treatments in-depth so that they have a complete understanding of their own care.

When he isn’t at Halper Family Medicine caring for patients, Dr. Halper loves to give back to his community through volunteer work. He teaches future doctors at New York’s Stony Brook University and Hofstra University in Hempstead.