Co-founder, Dr. Jim Hedde has joined his wife, Lauren, and his friend, Mark, at Direct Doctors. He grew up locally, just over the RI border, in Mystic, CT, where most of his family still lives. With a great love for the outdoors, he spent 4 months hiking the Appalachian Trail from GA right after completing his BS in Biology at FSU. It was during a year in Seattle, that he realized his calling was to become a physician. Shortly after, he arrived at UNECOM where he completed his medical degree and met his wife. They've now made their forever home on their farm in RI where he's excited to bring his childhood love of farming to his 3 children. He spends his free time spear fishing, hiking, and being with his family. One of his greatest medical interests is combining a holistic lifestyle approach to cure chronic disease. |
Ashley Lakin, DO
(accepting new patients) Board Certified in Family Medicine, IBCLC (re-locating her Direct Doctor's practice to Riverside - Fall '22) 
Dr. Ashley Lakin is over the moon to be starting her own DPC with the help of her friends at Direct Doctors. Ashley grew up in Maryland, attended Dickinson College, and found her way to Philadelphia for medical school at PCOM. Unable to choose between caring for children or pregnant people, she found her home in family medicine with obstetrics. Brown’s Family Medicine residency brought her to RI with her husband and introduced her to her friends and future colleagues Drs. Hedde & Turshen. After graduating from residency, she completed 2 years of fellowship in Maternal-Child Health at Brown, and is proud to be one of the only Breastfeeding Medicine physicians in RI. When not working, she can be found covered in dirt– either from her ever-expanding garden or because her 3 wild boy children are often filthy. She and her crew love living in RI and can be often found playing on the Narragansett Bay.
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Michelle Forcier, MD/MPH
(accepting new patients in sexual & gender medicine for January 2023)
Board Certified in Pediatrics
Dr. Forcier's practice will be located at Dr. Lakin's office in Riverside RI.
More details coming soon...
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Lauren Hedde, DO (not accepting new patients) Board Certified in Family Medicine 
Growing up in Medway, MA, co-founder, Dr. Lauren Hedde was happy to have returned closer to home for residency at Brown. She went to Wellesley College for undergrad & UMass for an MS in Biology. Lauren completed her medical school in ME and her training at Brown, working mostly at Memorial in Pawtucket, RI. Lauren and her husband, Jim, have traveled near and far - hiking parts of the Appalachian Trail, Glacier in Montana, Tetons in Wyoming, Patagonia in Argentina & Chile, studying Spanish & volunteering at Hospitalito Atitlan in Guatemala. They've been more than happy to settle down in RI where they've made their permanent home. Lauren spends her free time with their three kids and puggle as well as family in RI, MA, and CT.
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Mark Turshen, MD (not accepting new patients) Board Certified in Family Medicine 
Co-founder, Dr. Mark Turshen spent the majority of his life in New England, growing up in Stamford, CT, before spending four years at Gettysburg College and then returning for a decade stop in Boston. There, he worked in health care consulting for 5 years. Eventually, he realized that he wanted more one-on-one interaction and ability to make a difference on a smaller scale. He found his way to Tufts University School of Medicine where he quickly realized his passion for Family Medicine. When he's not working hard, he's usually with his wife, three kids and rescue dog, trying different restaurants or enjoying various sporting activities in RI. Mark & his wife Sarah have made RI their home. He has specific interests within Family Medicine including Sports Medicine and Pediatrics.
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"This was my first visit. I did not have to wait at all! I felt very comfortable and at ease with Dr. Hedde. She was very knowledgable, and most important I did not feel rushed! I would highly recommend her!" Current Patient, 1/7/14
"The call back and addressing the issue I was concerned with - is why I am very happy I chose to be a part of this practice! Thank you for unequaled accessibility and promptness!" Current Patient, 11/11/15