Pierre Manzo
Dr Manzo is a founding physician at University Family Medicine and has been with the practice since 1996. He completed his undergraduate studies with a BA in Biology at SUNY purchase and graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans Louisiana in 1993. This was followed by a completion of residency in Family Medicine at Brown University’s program at Memorial Hospital of RI in Pawtucket. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine for the Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, where he is a 9 time recipient of the Deans excellence in teaching award.
Dr M is originally from Westchester county in New York. However, much of his youth was spent in northern NJ where he developed of love for the outdoors. He previously was a competitive slalom water skier and also can be found in the local ice rinks playing Ice Hockey several times per week. Enjoys playing the piano and drums. He was the drummer for the “Rockin Docs’, a band of physicians who were formed to help raise awareness and access for musicians’ health care.
However, his main love, first and foremost, is his family. He Is a devoted husband father and grandfather.
Gena Taitano
I am originally from San Diego, California and attended UC San Diego for undergraduate school and Wake Forest University for graduate school. As a native Californian, living in the “Ocean State” was a childhood dream. In 2003, I relocated to Rhode Island to call this beautiful state my home. I joined the brilliant team of providers at UFM in 2004 and again in 2012. It has been an honor and privilege establishing a partnership with our patients to provide them the best possible care. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, volunteering and spending time outdoors either hiking, biking or boating with my wonderful husband and two amazing sons.
Kelli Hicks
I am a board certified family nurse practitioner with a doctorate degree in nursing practice (DNP). I am licensed as an advanced practiced registered nurse (APRN) in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. I have over 20 years of health care experience in a variety of diverse settings including intensive care (ICU) at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, peri-anesthesia and recovery (PACU) in rural Montana, as well as assisted living, nursing home, and pediatric home care environments.
In Rhode Island, I have found my true passion, primary care, where it is my honor and privilege to care for patients and families across the lifespan. I value a partnership approach to care with a focus on prevention, wellness, and the mind-body connection. My professional affiliations include membership with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Maternal Health Data to Action Team in Rhode Island.
I love spending time outdoors with my young daughter and husband. I enjoy reading, swimming, boating, yoga, and all of the New England seasons.
Ellen Hight
I am from California originally. I went to UC Berkeley as an undergraduate and then moved to the east coast to attend Boston University School of Medicine. I also received a Master's in Public Health from Harvard University. I did my residency at Brown and have stayed in RI ever since. It has been a privilege to serve the population of patients we have at UFM. I also enjoy golf and bicycling and caring for my beautiful grandchildren.
Jessica Russell
I grew up in southern Rhode Island before attending Ithaca College in 1996, majoring in Exercise Science. After graduating, I worked as an Exercise Physiologist at South County Hospital in the Cardiac Rehab program, while completing my Master’s in Physical Education and Exercise Science from the University of RI.
In 2010, I enrolled at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts for my Master’s of Science and became a Physician Assistant and have been honored to have worked with the University Family Medicine team since 2012.
I am passionate about promoting health and wellness through exercise and healthy eating.
I live in North Kingstown with my husband, Jeremy, and our two daughters, Cora and Margot. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, gardening, and home renovations.
April Borges
April is our newest addition to UFM. She is an adult nurse practitioner with a variety of nursing experiences. She is a welcomed addition.
Lauren Goddard
I was raised in Florida by my native Rhode Islander mom, so I was the only kid in North Florida routinely eating clam chowder and drinking coffee milk. After high school, I went to Barnard College at Columbia University where I studied political science and gender studies. I then worked in the public health sector for two years on a project to reduce maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa before going to medical school at Brown University. I stayed at Brown for my residency in family medicine. I practiced primary care in Jamestown for five years before joining University Family Medicine in 2020. I am thrilled to be part of the UFM family and taking care of patients of all ages and walks of life. When not in clinic I am hanging out with my husband and three young children.
Lauren Chappell
I've had the privilege of being part of UFM since 2014. I absolutely love building relationships with individuals & families across the lifespan. I attended Boston College for my undergraduate and graduate schooling. I've lived in most of the NE states, but now call RI home with my husband and our young daughter. I love spending time with family and friends, skiing, music, traveling, spending time outdoors. I'm passionate about holistic medicine and the mind- body connection. As a new mom myself, I love helping other parents navigate the huge transition of parenthood.
