Finding the right primary care provider is one of the most important decisions you can make for your health. While many people think of primary care as simply a place to go when they are sick, the reality is much broader. A trusted primary care provider becomes your partner in maintaining your health, preventing illness, managing chronic conditions, and helping you navigate the healthcare system throughout every stage of life.
At Cullman Internal Medicine, patients receive more than routine medical care. Established patients have access to a wide range of specialty services that make it easier to receive comprehensive, coordinated care in one familiar location. Rather than juggling multiple providers across different offices, many healthcare needs can be managed through the practice you already know and trust. Think of Cullman Internal Medicine as your healthcare home base: a place where your medical history is known, your care is coordinated, and your overall well-being remains the priority.
The Value of Having a Primary Care Provider
Your primary care provider is often the first person you turn to when health concerns arise. Whether you need an annual wellness visit, treatment for an illness, help managing diabetes or high blood pressure, or guidance on preventing future health problems, your provider develops a long-term understanding of your health.
This relationship offers significant advantages. Your provider becomes familiar with your medical history, medications, family history, lifestyle, and personal health goals. Over time, this knowledge allows them to recognize subtle changes in your health, identify potential problems earlier, and recommend treatments that are tailored specifically to you.
Instead of treating isolated symptoms, primary care focuses on the whole person. The goal is to keep you healthy, not simply respond when something goes wrong.
Your Healthcare Home Base
Today’s healthcare system can feel overwhelming. Patients often see specialists, undergo imaging studies, have laboratory testing, receive medications from different providers, and visit hospitals or urgent care centers throughout their lives.
Without someone overseeing the big picture, important details can easily be overlooked.
That’s where Cullman Internal Medicine plays a vital role. As your healthcare home base, our practice helps coordinate every aspect of your care. Your primary care provider monitors your ongoing health, reviews specialist recommendations, manages medications, tracks preventive screenings, and ensures that every piece of your healthcare works together.
Instead of wondering who to call first when a new concern develops, you’ll already have a trusted medical team that knows you and can help determine the next best step.
Comprehensive Care Under One Roof
One of the biggest advantages of choosing Cullman Internal Medicine is the variety of services available to established patients. Rather than traveling to multiple locations for different healthcare needs, many services can be accessed through the same practice where you receive your routine medical care. If we cannot accommodate your needs, we have a referral network to ensure you receive the best possible care.
This integrated approach saves time, reduces stress, and allows providers to communicate more effectively because your healthcare information remains connected.
Annual Wellness Visits and Preventive Care
Preventive medicine remains one of the most effective ways to stay healthy. Annual wellness visits allow your provider to monitor your overall health, review medications, discuss lifestyle habits, update recommended screenings, and identify potential concerns before they become more serious.
These appointments also provide an opportunity to discuss nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, vaccinations, and age-appropriate preventive testing. When problems are detected early, treatment is often simpler and more effective.
Chronic Disease Management
Millions of Americans live with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, asthma, and heart disease.
Managing these conditions requires more than writing prescriptions. Regular monitoring, medication adjustments, lifestyle counseling, laboratory testing, and ongoing education all work together to improve long-term outcomes.
Cullman Internal Medicine partners with patients to create personalized treatment plans that help reduce complications and improve quality of life.
Convenient In-House Laboratory Services
Laboratory testing is an essential part of modern healthcare. Blood work helps monitor chronic diseases, detect infections, evaluate medications, and screen for numerous health conditions.
Because Cullman Internal Medicine offers in-house laboratory services for established patients, many tests can be completed during the same visit. This convenience eliminates the need to travel to another location and often speeds up diagnosis and treatment decisions.
Having laboratory results readily available also allows providers to monitor trends over time, making it easier to personalize your care.
Diagnostic Imaging Services
When your provider needs additional information, diagnostic imaging can provide valuable answers. Having access to imaging services through your medical home streamlines the process and helps avoid unnecessary delays.
Because your provider orders and reviews the imaging within your established healthcare team, results can be discussed more efficiently, allowing treatment plans to move forward sooner.
Bone Density Testing
Bone health becomes increasingly important as we age, particularly for postmenopausal women, older men, and individuals with certain medical conditions or risk factors.
Cullman Internal Medicine offers bone density testing for established patients to help identify osteopenia and osteoporosis before fractures occur.
Early detection allows patients to begin lifestyle changes, nutritional improvements, exercise programs, or medications that may help preserve bone strength and reduce fracture risk.
Cardiac Testing
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States. Early evaluation can make a significant difference in preventing serious complications.
For established patients, Cullman Internal Medicine offers several cardiac diagnostic services to evaluate heart health. Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your provider may recommend testing to investigate chest pain, irregular heart rhythms, dizziness, shortness of breath, or other cardiovascular concerns.
Having these services coordinated through your primary care provider helps ensure that results are interpreted within the context of your complete medical history.
Pulmonary Function Testing
Breathing problems can affect daily activities and quality of life. Pulmonary function testing helps evaluate how well your lungs are working and can assist in diagnosing and monitoring conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
When testing is available through your primary care practice, patients often receive faster evaluations and more timely treatment recommendations.
Sleep Studies
Poor sleep affects nearly every aspect of overall health. Untreated sleep disorders may contribute to fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and difficulty concentrating.
Cullman Internal Medicine offers sleep study services for established patients who may be experiencing symptoms such as loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, interrupted sleep, or suspected sleep apnea.
Identifying and treating sleep disorders can improve energy levels, cardiovascular health, and overall quality of life.
Care That Stays Connected
One of the greatest benefits of receiving specialty services through your primary care practice is continuity.
Every laboratory result, imaging study, specialist consultation, medication adjustment, and follow-up appointment becomes part of one complete medical record. This allows your healthcare team to identify patterns, monitor long-term progress, and make informed decisions without relying on fragmented information from multiple offices.
Better communication among providers often leads to fewer duplicated tests, fewer medication conflicts, and more personalized care.
A Long-Term Partner in Your Health
Healthcare needs change throughout life. Young adults focus on prevention and wellness. Families manage acute illnesses and preventive screenings. Older adults often require chronic disease management and more specialized testing.
Having an established relationship with a primary care provider means you always have someone who understands your health journey and can help guide your care through every stage.
Rather than starting over with a new provider each time a health concern arises, you’ll have a trusted medical team that already knows your history and can help you make informed decisions.
Make Cullman Internal Medicine Your Medical Home
Choosing a primary care provider is about much more than finding someone to treat occasional illnesses. It is about building a long-term partnership focused on helping you stay as healthy as possible over your life span.
At Cullman Internal Medicine, our patients benefit from comprehensive primary care supported by convenient specialty services for established patients, including in-house laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, bone density testing, cardiac testing, pulmonary function testing, sleep studies, chronic disease management, and preventive care. Bringing these services together under one roof creates a more connected healthcare experience that is both convenient and personalized.
When your primary care provider serves as the center of your healthcare, you gain more than medical appointments; you gain a trusted team that coordinates your care, understands your health history, and helps you navigate every step of your wellness journey. That’s the value of having a true healthcare home base, and it’s one of the many reasons patients choose Cullman Internal Medicine for their ongoing care.
If you are interested in partnering with a primary care office that offers so much more than standard wellness and sick visits, please reach out to us at Cullman Internal Medicine. Our team of dedicated physicians, CRNPs, and specialists offers established patients so much more. We would love to speak with you about your needs and see you on your way to wellness.
Bethany is a board-certified family medicine Nurse Practitioner. She grew up in Cullman, watching her father, a physician, and her mother, a nurse, care for patients with both their hearts and hands. She learned from them that not only working hard, but loving and treating patients like family would develop the career that best suited her desire to help others. She has been caring for patients at Cullman Internal Medicine for 25 years. Building long-lasting relationships with her patients is important to her, and she genuinely enjoys being a part of their lives. She strives to provide compassionate, competent medical care which fosters an environment of mutual trust and respect.
Bobi Jo Creel is a board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ANCC-ACNP) with over 20 years of nursing experience. Born and raised in Cullman County, Alabama, she is deeply committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to adults and seniors in her local community.
Alicia is from Thomasville, Ga, but practiced in Burlington, Iowa from 2017 until joining Cullman Internal Medicine in 2025. Most of Alicia’s experience is in rural primary healthcare, which is where she learned of her passion for caring for patients with diabetes. From 2023 – 2025, her sole focus was assisting individuals in manage their condition more effectively, with a strong emphasis on long-term health and prevention of complications.
Pam is a lifelong resident of Marshall County and a graduate of Albertville High School, Class of 1976. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1981. Pam began her career in emergency and critical care nursing, serving in both the ER and ICU. When Marshall Medical Center North (MMCN) opened in 1990, she became the Nurse Manager of the ICU.
Stacey Varden is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner who works alongside Dr. Jeremy Stidham in Internal Medicine. She earned her Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and collectively has over 18 years of nursing experience. Before becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she served as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Children’s of Alabama, where she developed a strong foundation in acute and compassionate patient care.
Lorie Jones is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner born & raised in Cullman, Alabama. Her nursing career began in 1997 after earning her Licensed Practical Nursing diploma from Wallace State Community College, followed by an Associate Degree in Nursing in 2000. She gained extensive clinical experience working at both Woodland Medical Center and Cullman Regional Medical Center before advancing her education to become a nurse practitioner.
Mollie Dockery, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a passion for providing compassionate, evidence-based care to patients of all ages. With over 14 years of nursing experience and two years in advanced practice, Mollie brings a deep understanding of patient needs, especially in managing chronic conditions and promoting preventive health. Her approach is rooted in empathy, education, and a strong commitment to individualized care.
Kristy is known for providing personalized, expert care in Sleep and Lung Health, where she empowers patients thru education, awareness, supportive listening and compassionate guidance. A Cullman native, Kristy is deeply rooted in our community and shares a sincere
With over 15 years of nursing experience, Nancy Cornell is a dedicated and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) committed to providing high-quality care to her patients. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Western Governors University in 2017, she went on to complete her Master’s degree in Nursing in 2022. For two years, Nancy has been a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, applying her expertise in community urgent care to treat a diverse range of health needs.
Clark Still is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Cullman Internal Medicine. Clark is also the founder of New Beginnings Counseling of Cullman. He specializes in Christian-Based Professional Counseling.
Charlie Thornton has spent more than 24 years caring for others in a variety of healthcare roles—including paramedic, registered nurse, and for the past 10 years, nurse practitioner. He began his training at Wallace State Community College, completed his nursing degree at Jacksonville State University, and went on to earn graduate degrees from the University of South Alabama, where he became board certified as both a Family Nurse Practitioner and an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Jeremy Stidham, M.D., is a board-certified internal medicine physician who has been caring for patients in Cullman for more than 15 years. He currently serves as President of Cullman Internal Medicine and the Cullman Physician Alliance, where he works alongside a team of dedicated colleagues to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.
Nathan is a highly experienced Nurse Practitioner with a rich background spanning over two decades in healthcare. For the past ten years, Nathan has been a vital part of the CIM team as a Nurse Practitioner, also serving as a hospitalist nurse practitioner when needed. His extensive foundation was built over 19 years as a critical care registered nurse. Nathan is an alumnus of Wallace State Community College (RN), Jacksonville State College (BSN), and UAB (MSN), holding his nurse practitioner certification from the ANCC.
Dr. Benjamin Rogers obtained a degree in Classical Studies from Hillsdale College before attending medical school at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He then completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University. He joined Cullman Internal Medicine in 2012.
Morgan McHugh, CRNP, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a special focus on diabetes management. A native of Hartselle, Alabama, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Dr. Erin Britt is a compassionate physician proudly serving her local community as a hometown provider. Raised in Cullman, Alabama, Dr. Britt graduated from Cullman High School. Her desire to care for others lead to enrollment at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM), where she earned her medical degree.
The goal of my practice is to help patients achieve optimal health. Eating a balanced diet, exercising, taking care of our mental health, and achieving quality sleep are all crucial for feeling good and living a healthy, enjoyable life. However, sometimes weight gain and hormone imbalances can get in the way.
Naykala is a Triple Board-Certified physician with over 25yrs of experience, dedicated to delivering comprehensive patient-centered care. Her practice emphasizes a whole-body approach, combining traditional Internal Medicine with advanced training in Obesity Medicine and Medical Acupuncture. She evaluates complex medical conditions with a focus on identifying root causes–especially those contributing to weight gain—and provides thoughtful, integrative treatment plans. Naykala’s 10 years of service in the U.S. Air Force deepened her commitment to non-pharmacologic pain management, and acupuncture has become a meaningful part of how she cares for patients.
Dr Parker grew up in Cullman County and attended West Point High School. His path to medicine was not direct. After high school, He attended Wallace State Community college and received an associates degree in business. Shortly after graduating Brian was married to his wife Karen. Unsure of what to do next he left his job as a butcher for the local Walmart distribution center where he would work for the next 7 years. After reflecting on his goals and desire to help others he decided to pursue medicine.
Dr. Vintson is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician originally from Cullman. She graduated medical school from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Auburn, AL, and completed residency training at UAB Family Medicine in Huntsville. Dr. Vintson practices medicine seeing the patient as a whole person, understanding there are many components of one’s life that affects overall health and wellness. She loves seeing a variety of patient ages throughout her day and feels this is what makes family medicine and primary care so special. In addition to routine primary care she especially enjoys women’s health and preventative medicine, including Pap smears and menopause care, as well as diabetes management, nutrition, and mental health care. Dr. Vintson loves the Lord and enjoys time on the lake with her family, fishing, hunting, gardening, and podcasts. She has two young children and a loving husband of 12 years.
Dr. Adam Harrison is proud to serve his hometown of Cullman as a dedicated physician. A local from East Elementary through Cullman High, he earned his Biomedical Sciences degree from Auburn University, completed medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and his residency at UAB Huntsville Family Medicine. Drawn by the opportunity to give back to his community, Dr. Harrison chose to build his career at Cullman Internal Medicine.