ADVANCE UROLOGY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, ASC Operations
Job Titles:
- Certified Physician Assistant
- Physician Assistant Certified
Austin Durden is a Certified Physician Assistant who graduated from Mercer University in 2021. Austin is from Macon, Georgia and attended Georgia College and State University for his undergraduate studies. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Exercise Science degree in 2016. He originally was planning to go into physical therapy but after shadowing a physician assistant he knew this is the career he wanted to pursue. Austin then moved to Atlanta in 2017 where he worked for Summit Spine and Joint Centers as a medical assistant where he gained experience in both clinic and their ambulatory spine center assisting with multiple outpatient procedures. He has a background in orthopedics but ultimately decided that urology provides him with the opportunity to improve patient's quality of life while being able to spend time in the operating room and assisting with many different types of procedures. He is very eager to begin this new chapter with all the challenges knowing that he can impact his patients in a positive way.
Outside of work, Austin enjoys spending time with his wife Rachel, friends and family. He enjoys golf, fitness, being outdoors and is an avid sports fan including the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs. He is very excited to work with Dr. Farber and the Advanced Urology team.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Clinic Operations
Cristina was born and raised in Carrollton, GA. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of South Carolina. Following her undergraduate studies, she spent several years working as a medical assistant in reproductive endocrinology, surgical gynecology, and dermatology practices in the Atlanta, GA area. She then attended Augusta University, where she completed her Master's in Physician Assistant Studies. She is published in a medical journal for her research on endometriosis during her studies.
Cristina is thrilled to be joining Dr. Shah and the entire team at Advanced Urology in Decatur! She is passionate about patient education and can't wait to build close relationships with her patients. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, American Urological Association, and Urological Association of Physician Assistants. In her spare time, Cristina enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, spending time outdoors, and traveling.
Jessica was raised in Georgia. Early in college she knew she wanted to find a career in medicine. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in Spanish at the University of Georgia. After graduation, she worked as a surgical assistant at an oral and maxillofacial surgeon's office, which is where she found her love for ambulatory procedures. While she loved being a Dawg and her time in Athens, she chose to pursue her Master's Degree at the University of Florida's Physician Assistant Program. Upon completion of her training, she moved to Tampa to practice internal medicine where she built a strong panel of loyal and satisfied patients. While she very much enjoyed her time working in such a broad field, she was looking to specialize and found an interest in urology. She could not be more excited to be part of the Advanced Urology team! In her spare time, she enjoys running, experimenting with new cookbooks and spending time with her family and friends.
Laura Roberts - Chief Compliance Officer
Job Titles:
- Physician Assistant Certified
Mary Kate Peabody was raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia. She attended Kennesaw State University where she led a research team focused on creating improved screening protocols for gestational diabetes and earned a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science.
She worked as a Certified Nursing assistant for several years and saw firsthand how urologic conditions can impact the independence and wellbeing of older adults. She decided she wanted to pursue a career as a physician assistant to be better able to assist this population.
She attended Barry University where she was elected the Student Government Community Outreach Officer and voted "most likely to brighten you day" by faculty and classmates. She earned her Master of Medical Science in December 2020.
It is Mary Kate's mission to provide medicine that not only keeps a person healthy but empowers them to live their best lives. In her free time she enjoys roller skating and playing with her dogs
Biography
Morgann Harney was born in Nashville, TN and grew up in Murfreesboro, TN. She received an academic
scholarship to attend Middle Tennessee State University where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Athletic Training. After graduating, Morgann used her background in sports medicine to work as a certified athletic trainer in both the high school and outpatient physical therapy settings.
Morgann returned to Nashville and attended Trevecca Nazarene University, where she earned a Master's of Medical Science in Physician Assistant studies.
Morgann is passionate about helping patients obtain a higher quality of life. She believes in patient education and patient-centered treatment plans. She is a member of the American Urological Association and treats patients with all manner of urologic conditions including BPH, OAB, and urologic cancers. She appreciates the sensitive nature of urology and she goes above and beyond to make all her patients feel at ease.
When Morgann is not working, she enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Chief Technology Officer / Director of Robotic Surgery
Sydney Moore was born and raised in Houston, TX. She attended the University of Oklahoma where she received a bachelor's degree in Health Sciences. After graduation she worked at a fertility clinic in Texas, where her excitement for medicine continued to grow. She went on to receive her Master's degree from Barry University's Physician Assistant program in Miami, FL.
In her spare time, Sydney enjoys trying new restaurants in Atlanta, spending time with her family and friends, and traveling to new places. She is very excited to join the team at Advanced Urology and looks forward to cultivating new relationships with her patients and having a positive impact on their lives.
Job Titles:
- Director of Surgery and Advanced Therapeutics