This husband and wife dynamic duo decided to combine his passion for business management with her passion for patient care and open Desert Star Healthcare in September 2021. They know that together they create magic, because any problem or task when faced alone didn't work, but together things work like magic. When not caring for patients, or chasing their 2 Frenchies, they both love to attend plays and concerts. Between them they have 6 adult children, 5 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter, some who live locally while others are in the Midwest.
Deb's entry into healthcare started with the birth of her first daughter and subsequent work with that midwife. She obtained her BSN at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and was an RN in various hospital and clinic settings for over 20 years. She took her joy of education and obtained a MSN in nursing education from the University of Phoenix and ran a sim-lab for a few years. However, she missed caring for patients directly, so she went to Arizona State University and obtained her Doctorate in Nursing Practice, specializing in the Family NP program. She enjoys combining the holistic approach from her beginnings with traditional medicine and patient education to help patients meet their healthcare goals.
Lance was a telecommunication engineer, manager, and private consultant for many years. He loves the teaching and growth that can be accomplished through management. He obtained his Bachelors of Business Management at Carroll University. Since he was driving Deb crazy with questions on how various tests and equipment worked, he enrolled in Arizona State University and received his Masters of Science Biomedical Diagnostics degree in August 2021. He is currently enrolled in the University of Phoenix's Doctorate of Business Administration program to understand how best to manage the business side of caring for you.
Lance & Deb searched long and hard to find an NP that would fit seamlessly into the clinic. In October 2025, they finally found Rachael, a dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner originally from the United Kingdom. She earned her BSN in 2012 and her MSN in 2016, here in the US. With over 9 years of experience in family medicine and 2 years in cardiology, Rachael brings a broad and compassionate approach to patient care. Before becoming a NP, she worked in acute hospital settings, including telemetry and postpartum care, developing a strong foundation in managing both complex and routine health concerns. Most importantly, Rachael believes that preventative care is the cornerstone of lifelong health. She is passionate about empowering patients through education, early intervention, and personalized care to help them achieve their best possible well-being.
Lance & Deb are overjoyed to have found a great Medical Assistant! Melissa joined us in November 2021 and quickly became Deb's right hand. She has many years experience in ophthalmology and GI offices and was looking for a job that was more family than big business. She is adept at scheduling, referrals, and insurance processing. Even more important, she is a great listener and demonstrates compassion for all of our patients. When she moved to Tennessee in October 2025, we thought we would have to say good bye, but we have found a way to have her continue to support our patients remotely.
Amie joined us in February 2024 as our phlebotomist and medical assistant. She obtained her National Healthcare Association Clinical Medical Assistant Certification in 2023 and worked at a dialysis clinic and lab prior to joining us. She makes it her mission to make the blood draw process as painless and smooth as possible. Her favorite part of working with us is the friendliness of the patients and her co-workers. She has enjoyed seeing how even mundane or frustrating paperwork can help patients reach their healthcare goals. Her favorite personal topics are tattoos, pets, and Ireland.