James L. Shiovitz, M.D.
Growing up as the brother to three doctors and the son of a family doctor, Jim developed a love of medicine early in life. He left his native Michigan after doing his undergraduate work at the University of Michigan and medical school at Wayne State University to do his family practice residency at Scenic General Hospital 1976-1979 in Modesto. He then joined fellow residency graduate Tom Gray to found Family Health Care in 1982. He was married earlier that year to Peggy; they live in Oakdale, their home since 1994. When possible, they enjoy FaceTime chats with daughter, Lexi, a partner in the Mori Hamada & Matsumoto Law Firm in Tokyo, where she lives with husband Kimi, a financial advisor. Jim and Peggy make the trip to Scotts Valley, California whenever possible to see their son, Andrew, a staff psychiatrist at the University of California Santa Cruz, wife Rebeka, a teacher at the local high school, and their sons, Charlie and George. Jim and Peggy cannot get enough grandkid time, but when not connecting with family, they have the Shiovitz almond orchard to keep things busy at home. Jim's interests out of the office include his garden, books, movies, theatre, and his passion for sports teams, especially the Michigan Wolverines and Detroit's Tigers, Lions, Pistons, and Red Wings. He remains Board Certified in Family Medicine.
Jack Collins, M.D.
Dr Collins was born and raised in Kansas City. He attended University of Kansas undergrad and Medical School. He met his future bride, a nursing student, during medical school.
They moved to Modesto for the Family Practice Residency Program at Scenic Hospital. After Residency, he went into practice and then joined Dr Shiovitz and Dr Gray in 1983 at Family Health Care.
Dr. Collins is board Certified in Family Practice and brings his years of experience to the practice.
Nandeesh Veerappa, M.D.
Dr. Veerappa is a graduate of Stanislaus Family practice Residency program Modesto. He finished his Medical School in India, also completed residency in Surgery and did training in Surgical Oncology. He is a Clinical faculty member of UC Davis teaching Program. He has a passion for Palliative and Hospice care and serves as Associate Medical Director at Community Hospice.
Besides work he enjoys time with Family and friends and involved in various sports.
Tracy Brockman, M.D.
Dr. Brockman was raised primarily in southern California while his father was in the military, but also lived in Virginia, as well as Hawaii, where he graduated from high school. After his own military service, Dr. Brockman did his undergraduate work and attended medical school at the University of Washington. He joined Family Health Care in August of 2005 after completing his residency through the Stanislaus Residency Program in Modesto. which he completed in 2005. He enjoys home repair projects, sports, trivia, karaoke, and traveling with his wife, Elena.
Sasha Bluvshteyn, Ph.D, M.D., J.D.
Dr. Sasha Bluvshteyn, or "Dr. Blu," as she is known to all of her patients, moved to the United States from the former Soviet Union when she was four years old. The daughter of a Russian literature teacher and an artist father, her family expected her to be anything but a scientist or a doctor, but that is exactly what she became, first studying at the University of California, San Diego in the graduate program and then going on to study medicine at Poznan University of Medical Sciences (the oldest university in Poland). Before going on to study medicine, Sasha was teaching embryology and molecular biology at the University of San Diego and microbiology at San Diego City College. While she loved teaching, the call to medicine was too strong to resist, and she finished her residency here in Modesto at VCME Family Medicine and working at Doctor's Medical Center, and she decided to make Modesto her home. She is married to Dr. Charlie Walker (also a physician at Family Health Care), and they have a daughter named Teddy and a son named Harry. Sasha's main interests are snuggling her children, reading, saving her tomatoes from slugs, movies (of all kinds), reading, knitting, baking, and exploring all that is near and far.
Charlie Walker, M.D.
Dr. Walker's interest in how things work began early in his life when he started building American motorcycles and then fabricating parts for them. His undergraduate studies began at the University of Southern California thematic option Honors Program where he studied marine biology. He finished his medical studies at Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland while he also continued to supplement his income by repairing motorcycles when there was spare time. His residency was done at Valley Family Medicine Residency affiliated with UC Davis. After working at Kaiser Permanente for 2 years as an environmental and occupational medicine specialist his dearest wife and friend Dr. Blu convinced him to join forces at Family Health. He has not looked back now except on fond memories he cherishes and hopes to continue making with his most adored family.
Nicole McLawrence, M.D.
Dr. McLawrence grew up in the foothills of California, where her interest in medicine started in high school when she worked at the local hospital. She stayed in Northern California for undergraduate studies, attending Sonoma State University, studying molecular and cellular biology. Before starting medical school, she backpacked throughout Europe, then returned to California and began working in politics. Although she enjoyed the excitement and challenges in politics, she missed working in the medical field. She then decided to follow her dream and applied to medical school and attended Ross University in Dominica. It was there she met her husband, Jim. She was thrilled with the opportunity to return back home for family medicine residency at Valley Consortium in Modesto. After graduating from residency she joined Family Health Care, where she strives to provide compassionate and gender-affirming care. She and her husband have made Modesto home, where they are raising their three children.
Dr. McLawrence's interests include spending time with her family and friends, sailing, traveling, wakeboarding, snow skiing, and reading.
Jake Brierley, M.D.
Dr. Jake Brierley joined Family Health Care in August 2024. He is a family medicine physician with a strong commitment to comprehensive, patient-centered care across all ages. Dr. Brierley completed his medical education at California Northstate University College of Medicine and went on to finish his Family Medicine residency at the Valley Consortium for Medical Education in Modesto, where he trained in full-spectrum outpatient and inpatient care.
He enjoys building long-term relationships with patients and families and values preventive care, chronic disease management, and shared decision-making. Dr. Brierley has a special interest in evidence-based primary care and community health and is dedicated to creating a welcoming, respectful environment for all patients.
Outside of the office, Dr. Brierley enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active, and exploring new places and interests. He is proud to practice in the Modesto community and looks forward to caring for multiple generations of families for years to come.
testimonials
Absolutely love Dr. Shiovetz. Been with him since I was a Kid and he seeing myself, husband and lil monsters too. We all love seeing him for pur annual check ups. Dont know what we'd do without him.R. Qualls
My husband and I love our Dr Blu and the staff very caring and compassionate in our health care. Thank you.B. Peral-Elizarraras
I have been a patient here for 30+ years. One of the first for them. I can't imagine going amywhere else. They take time with me, never rush, ever. I have had heart bypass major health issues with serious surgeries. Will pass before I change. Love, love, love all of them.W. Pritchett
Dr. Blu is one of my favorite physicians of all time. She is a compassionate and caring doctor who listens and take her time with her patients. I especially appreciate this as my kids medical backgrounds are involved and complicated. Because of her listening to me I was able to get the tests I needed for my daughter and find the out what was causing her pain and get the surgery she needed. Thank you for all you do Dr. BluC. Mejia