Angela Parson, MD, FACOG

Dr. Angela Parson earned her doctorate of medicine from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. in 2005. A Norfolk native, she completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk in 2009. She served as Chief Resident and was eager to enter the Ob/Gyn field as a full service physician and practices both obstetrics and gynecology in her hometown. After graduation, she started and was the lead physician at Hampton Roads Ob/Gyn Center in Norfolk, VA for the 11-year span of the practice, until it closed in 2020. She then transitioned to Woman Care Centers, PLLC, a well-established private practice in the area. She is board certified and a Davinci trained gynecologic surgeon. Her interests include adolescent care, wholistic women’s care and minimally invasive surgery. A robust, high-volume surgeon, she has over 18 years of experience in complex, benign gynecologic cases and all aspects of obstetrics.

Dr. Parson has a passion for teaching. She has been on the clinical faculty of Eastern Virginia Medical School since graduation and teaches both students and residents. She also serves as an adjunct clinical faculty for Liberty University and has 3rd and 4th year medical students rotate for their obstetrics and gynecology clerkship. She is responsible for the entire clinical rotation and evaluation. Her 1st international experience was in Cape Town, South Africa as a 4th year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine. This experience was an eyeopener and has led to a desire to further her experience in the international arena. She looks forward to the challenge and experience she will glean from the Gambia Collaborative Project.

Dr. Parson has a passion for wholistic Gynecology. Her current interests include tackling the obesity epidemic as it disproportionately affects women of color and many areas of health. She particularly is interested in PCOS and decreasing the burden of obesity related conditions. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her children and family. She loves to travel, cook, entertain, design spaces and specializes in unique gift giving.

Dr. Parson is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and the National Medical Association. She has won several awards and enjoys teaching and community service.

Denise Dunn-Cerja, Registered Dietitian

My journey as a Registered Dietitian started in a colorful garden in Edgecombe County, NC with my grandfather. I remember working with my cousins in that garden growing food to feed our family. I was proud to be helping my family grow our food. Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Snap peas, collards, cucumbers, tomatoes, and green beans could all be found in our garden. I was introduced to fresh vegetables as a child, and as I grew, my love for food continued to grow as well. The afternoon snack of my childhood was a fresh sweet potato or roasted peanuts which were always warming atop my grandmother’s oven. My food journey is rooted in fresh, home grown, minimally processed gems of the Earth which helped shape (quite literally) the person I am today. Too many of us do not understand that the TRUE purpose of food is to fuel our bodies. Those “fuels” can propel and sustain us through the many ups and downs of daily life or grind us to a sluggish halt landing us on the couch exhausted and taking a fist full of medications. I am passionate about teaching people the purpose of food, enabling them to change their lives for the better.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I completed my master’s degree in food and nutritional sciences from North Carolina A&T State University and then entered my dietetic internship at Utah State University. I became a Registered/Licensed Dietitian in May of 2003. As a registered dietitian, I have worked in public health, long-term care facilities, food service management, and bariatric surgical offices to ensure patients received the educational support they needed to commit to a healthy lifestyle. I am honored to now be a part of the OIC Health Care System. I am the founder and CEO of Dunn with Dieting LLC, a nutritional consultation company focused on teaching clients the true purpose of food, how to close the revolving door of temporary diets, and how to create lifelong change.

Shonda Hines, Medical Social Worker

Shonda Hines is a dedicated Medical Social Worker, currently serving veterans with unwavering compassion and expertise. Since earning her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Norfolk State University in 2021, Shonda has placed the well-being of others at the heart of her professional journey. Her educational foundation provided her not only with clinical knowledge but also a deep understanding of the complex challenges facing individuals in need.

Shonda’s commitment to service is rooted in her personal history. She comes from a family of women who have faced significant challenges related to women’s health and wellness. These experiences have instilled in her profound empathy and a passionate resolve to advocate for the holistic health of her clients.

Currently, Shonda channels her dedication into serving veterans, a community she approaches with infinite compassion. In her role as a Medical Social Worker, she supports individuals navigating physical, mental, and emotional health challenges, drawing from her academic background and personal understanding of adversity. Her work is characterized by integrity, advocacy, and a focus on empowering others toward better health outcomes.

Shonda’s approach is guided by her belief in the transformative power of empathy and service. She strives to create meaningful change in the lives of those she serves, drawing inspiration from her family’s resilience and her professional commitment to making a difference. Through each interaction, Shonda Hines exemplifies what it means to serve with heart, ensuring her legacy is one of compassion, empowerment, and enduring positive impact.