Our Providers

Dr. Frank G. Morgan, Jr.

Dr. Frank G. Morgan, Jr.

Frank G. Morgan, Jr., MD graduated with his undergraduate degree at the University of Richmond, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, then completed his residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He continues to stay active in education as a member of the clinical faculty at Eastern Virginia Medical School and as a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Morgan has dedicated his career to helping women maintain optimal health as they transition through life. He’s offered care from early adolescence, through pregnancy and delivery, and beyond menopause. Women in the region rely on his sharp medical expertise and trust his concern for their health and wellness.

When he’s not seeing patients, Dr. Morgan, who is the proud father of two sons, enjoys golf, baseball, and listening to audio books.

Dr. Charles A. Wilkes

Dr. Charles A. Wilkes

Charles A. Wilkes, MD graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the College of William and Mary, then earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His training continued at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he completed his residency and continues to serve as a member of the clinical faculty. His extensive training and experience is evident, as Dr. Wilkes is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Wilkes enjoys working with the team of experienced doctors at Tidewater Physicians for Women in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia, where he provides the full range of obstetric and gynecologic care to women of all ages. His patients rely on his compassion and expertise in preventive care, detecting gynecological problems, and providing the medical attention they need to support a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

When he’s not busy in his medical practice, Dr. Wilkes spends time with his wife and daughter and pursues his special interest in computer technology. He’s an avid pickleball player who also enjoys skiing and photography.

Dr. Arlene J. Fontanares

Dr. Arlene J. Fontanares

Arlene J. Fontanares, MD, graduated from the University of Virginia, then went on to earn her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She stayed at Eastern Virginia Medical School for her internship and residency, and is proud to continue to serve as a member of their clinical faculty. Dr. Fontanares is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Fontanares thrives in the field of obstetrics and gynecology where she loves delivering babies and has a special interest in helping adolescents as they make their transition into the world of women’s health care. In addition to teaching adolescents about their reproductive health, Dr. Fontanares focuses on preventive care for all women by encouraging annual well woman exams.

As a native of Hampton Roads, Dr. Fontanares is happy to live in the area with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, reading, photography, and traveling. She’s also fluent in Philippine dialects.

Dr. Siobhan M. Bertolino

Dr. Siobhan M. Bertolino

Siobhan M. Bertolino, MD, with Tidewater Physicians for Women in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia, began her career at the College of William and Mary, then she earned her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She completed her residency at the University of South Florida. During her residency training, she received an award of excellence for her skills in laparoscopic procedures.

Dr. Bertolino is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She also serves as a member of the clinical faculty at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Bertolino’s patients at Tidewater Physicians for Women benefit from her expertise in laparoscopic surgery. They also rely on her compassionate care for all of their reproductive health needs including routine preventive care, comprehensive gynecological and obstetrical care, and support for challenges during the transition into adulthood and on through menopause.

In her free time, Dr. Bertolino enjoys traveling, snowboarding, and spending time with her family, especially at the beach.

Dr. Colleen M. Connor

Dr. Colleen M. Connor

Colleen M. Connor, MD graduated Magna Cum Laude from York College of Pennsylvania. She went on to Eastern Virginia Medical School where she earned her medical degree and completed her residency. She’s also a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Connor blends an integrative approach with traditional medicine and welcomes women in the region who need obstetric and gynecologic care with individual attention that focuses on treating the whole person. She treats a full range of women’s health problems from adolescents to post-menopausal. Dr. Connor encourages her patients to practice regular preventive care so that they’re in optimal health in every stage of life. She also has an interest in supporting women in preconception counseling and following them through the pregnancy and postpartum journey.

Whenever possible, Dr. Connor loves to travel to new places. She enjoys exercising, being outdoors, especially at the beach, and playing with her three dogs. She cherishes her time with family and friends.

Dr. Kelsey L. Arbogast

Dr. Kelsey L. Arbogast

Kelsey L. Arbogast, MD graduated from the University of Oklahoma. She went on to earn her doctorate at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine. After earning her medical degree, she completed her residency at the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine. She is a board certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Arbogast moved to Virginia Beach after residency to pursue private practice at Tidewater Physicians for Women. She provides a full-spectrum of care including routine well woman care, teaching preventive health care, while expertly treating gynecological problems, and supporting their health throughout pregnancy. She encourages women to plan for a healthy pregnancy by visiting her for preconception counseling for screening of risk factors that may impact a future pregnancy and baby. She has a special interest in family planning, infertility, and in-office procedures.

Dr. Arbogast is married with 3 children. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and going to the gym.

Dr. Melanie McDowell

Dr. Melanie McDowell

Melanie McDowell, MD earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia. She went on to earn her medical degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School. She completed her residency at University of Maryland Medical Center.

She has been in private practice for over five years. She is happy to return home and continuing practicing obstetrics and gynecology. She enjoys the full scope of women’s health. She enjoys helping and educating her patients about preventive health. She has a special interest in taking care of women during their pregnancies and the postpartum period.

Outside if medicine, Dr. McDowell enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys. She enjoys gardening, cooking and running.

Dr. Laurie U. De Grand

Dr. Laurie U. De Grand

Laurie U. De Grand, MD, graduated from Virginia Tech, then went on to earn her degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She then completed a residency in Family Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina and a fellowship in Family Medicine and Obstetrics. She then practiced as a family physician at Ghent Family Medicine for five years.

Dr. De Grand then returned to complete a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in order to provide more comprehensive care to her patients She looks forward to establishing lasting relationships with patients and families as she helps take care of them throughout their lives. Her special interests are obstetrics, lactation medicine, and helping a woman embrace her role as a mother.

Dr. De Grand spends as much time as possible with her three children, family, and friends. She enjoys traveling, audiobooks and podcasts, and exploring Hampton Roads.

Dr. Mary E. Kownack

Dr. Mary E. Kownack

Mary E. Kownack, M.D. was born and raised in Virginia Beach. After graduating from Bayside High School & Health Sciences Academy, she earned a B.S. in Nuclear and Radiological Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She was inspired by Tidewater Physicians for Women while employed as a Research Coordinator for Tidewater Clinical Research during the summers of 2009-2013. Dr. Kownack graduated with her M.D. from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed her OB/GYN residency at Detroit Medical Center-Wayne State University, where she served as an Administrative Chief Resident. She was deeply honored to receive awards for excellence in resident teaching, compassionate patient care, and midwifery and nursing support during residency.

Dr. Kownack is excited to return home and join Tidewater Physicians for Women in providing comprehensive women’s health care. She enjoys the full scope of women’s health but is especially passionate about helping women navigate pregnancy. She looks forward to building relationships with her patients and their families.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Kownack loves the beach, music, sports, food, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog.

Dr. Sarah Murphy

Dr. Sarah Murphy

Sarah E. Murphy, DO is a physician at Tidewater Physicians for Women. Dr. Murphy earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech where she focused her studies in dietetics and medicine in society She then earned her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA. She completed her OB/GYN residency at East Carolina University – Vidant Medical Center. In addition to her practice, she has also focused her research efforts on decreasing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy through aerobic and strength training exercise. This research was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dr. Murphy looks forward to providing holistic care to her patients in the Virginia Beach area. She has a true passion for comprehensive and preventative women’s health and focuses her practice on a healthy lifestyle, including nutrition and exercise, in both pregnancy and beyond. She cares for patients during all stages of life and practices the full scope of OB/GYN while managing pregnancies and treating various gynecologic concerns. Outside of medicine, Dr. Murphy loves spending time with her husband, friends, and family while having game nights, trying new recipes, and traveling.

Heather M. Hallberg, RNC, MS, WHNP

Heather M. Hallberg, RNC, MS, WHNP

Heather M. Hallberg, RNC, MS, WHNP serves as a women’s health nurse practitioner. She treats a range of health concerns faced by women and offers preventive health care. Her patients appreciate her attention to their personal needs and her willingness to teach them about reproductive health. Heather is especially interested in working with adolescents and disease detecting procedures such as colposcopies which are used to detect disease in the cervix and vagina.

After completing her undergraduate degree at Loyola University of Chicago, Heather went on the earn her BSN degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk. Her education continued at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned her MS degree as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She is an NCC certified nurse practitioner and is the President of the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners.

Heather is married to an optometrist and is the mother of three active boys. When she can, she finds time to run, read, and spend time at the beach with her family

Gretchen Jones, MSN, WHNP-BC, CNM

Gretchen Jones, WHNP-BC, CNM

Gretchen Jones, WHNP-BC, CNM serves as a women’s health nurse practitioner where she provides comprehensive obstetric and gynecologic care to women of all ages. She has a passion for helping adolescents with their first experience with reproductive health, health concerns, and preventative care for their body. Gretchen also has a passion for helping women who are struggling with postpartum depression.

Gretchen began her training at Louise Obici School of Nursing in Suffolk, Virginia, where she graduated with her RN degree. She continued on to earn her BSN from Virginia Commonwealth University. She earned her MSN from the University of Cincinnati as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife, subsequently receiving NCC certification.

Gretchen is happily married to a retired army guardsman that spent 24 years in the military. She has two teenage kids and two Australian Shepherds. Most of her time outside of work is spent in the stands watching her kids play sports. Gretchen also loves spending time with her family, going to the beach, and reading.

Paige Shabro, MSN, FNP-BC

Paige Shabro, MSN, FNP-BC

Paige Shabro received her diploma as a Registered Nurse in 2009 from Sentara College of Health Professions. She went on to work as a labor and delivery nurse for the course of her nursing career. She earned her BSN in 2012 from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2017, she received her MSN from Frontier Nursing University. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner and is certified through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She has a passion for women’s health and has a particularly strong interest in postpartum depression and mental health.

Paige lives in Chesapeake with her husband and two sons, Gabe and Declan. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling.

Kathleen Brown

Kathleen D. Brown, MSN, WHNP-BC

Kathleen D. Brown, MSN, WHNP-BC

Kathleen is originally from Washington State and moved here while she was in high school. Growing up she was active in dance, competitive gymnastics, and competitive cheerleading. She also played softball and volleyball. After graduating from Kempsville High School she attended Virginia Tech where she majored in Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise. After graduation she worked for several years before deciding to follow her calling into nursing. After completing nursing school, she worked as a labor and delivery nurse for 5 years before obtaining her MSN as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She had the privilege of training and working with Dr. E. Franklin Roberts and Dr. Michael Spriuell at Commonwealth Women’s Healthcare until their retirement. Women’s Heath has always been her passion and she loves working with her patients to help them make informed decisions about their body and reproductive health. When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, training for half marathons, reading a good book and going to the beach.

Mary Romeiser, MSN, FNP-BC.

Mary Romeiser, MSN, FNP-BC.

Mary Romeiser was born and raised in Norfolk. After graduating from Norfolk Collegiate she attended Virginia Tech where she got her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She then went on to get her BSN from Sentara College of Health Sciences. After nursing school, she worked as a trauma nurse at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital before transitioning to an RN in Women’s Health. She was inspired by her work with the providers at Tidewater Physicians for Women to go back to school and she graduated with her FNP from Old Dominion University. She is passionate about building relationships with her patients and their families by providing comprehensive care to all women.

Outside of the office Mary enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children. She also has two dogs and enjoys running, being outside, and going to the beach.

Patricia Peters, LCSW, ACSW, PMH-C

Patricia Peters, LCSW, ACSW, PMH-C

Patty earned her master’s degree in Social Work from Bryn Mawr College in 2004 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in 2007. She is certified in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International, Inc.  She has extensive experience working with women of all ages.  Utilizing an integrated therapeutic approach (including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness/relaxation techniques, and skill building), Patty partners with her clients as they navigate through life’s many challenges.  These challenges include relationship difficulties, parenthood struggles, depression and anxiety, grief and loss, traumatic experiences, and others.

Patty resides in Virginia Beach with her husband and two children.  In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, and traveling with her family.

Tidewater Physicians for Women
a division of Mid-Atlantic Women’s Care
VA Beach

828 Healthy Way Unit 330
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Fax: 757-467-0301

Norfolk

844 Kempsville Road #208
Norfolk, VA 23502

Fax: 757-461-0836

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