The Team
Currently not accepting New Patients
Dr. Elizabeth Bierer
Family Medicine
A graduate of Blue Ridge High School, Dr. Bierer attended the University of Arizona, where she received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology. She spent a year at AmeriCorp Vista in South Carolina before returning to the U of A where she earned her medical degree in 2008. With over 10 years of experience under her belt, Dr. Bierer is board certified and enjoys the full spectrum of Family Medicine.
Dr. Leon Driss
Internal Medicine
With board certifications in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Geriatrics, Dr. Driss not only manages patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, but is also the lead medical director of the local branch of Hospice Compassus, one of the largest hospice organizations in the nation. An expert in adult medicine, Dr. Driss has served the White Mountains for more than 20 years.
Currently not accepting New Patients
Dr. Sean Smithson
Family Medicine
Board certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Smithson received his medical degree from the University of Arizona and has over 12 years of experience in medicine. A native to Holbrook, Dr. Smithson feels that family physicians play a vital role in patients' lives and enjoys treating patients and families at all stages of life.
Lyndsay Funk, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
Lyndsay grew up in the White Mountain and began her medical journey in college, while studying for her
nursing degree. After time in physical therapy, she transitioned into the hospital environment working in
Dallas, Tx and Tucson Az. In 2009 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand
Canyon University. 13 years of nursing was spent in critical care until she graduated in 2021 with a
Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner. She has a passion for integrative medicine and
a goal of overall wellness to meet the needs of her patients. In her free time, she enjoys hiking,
kayaking, traveling, lake time, and being with her loved ones – including her dog Mack.
Kimberly Hansen, FNP-C
Family Medicine
Family Nurse Practitioner
Kimberly Hansen FNP-C is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and has been with Premier
Mountain Healthcare since 2021. Prior to working with PMH, Kim has worked as a
nurse for over 16 years in various areas of health care to include critical care, emergency medicine,
pediatrics, and women’s healthcare. Kim has had the experience of caring for individuals of all ages
both in a pre-hospital setting and within the hospital in both critical care and non-critical care settings
over the course of her career.
Kim obtained her Master of Science in Nursing to become a Family Nurse Practitioner at Grand Canyon
University. She has also obtained specialized training in Naturopathy and Herbology through Trinity
School of Natural Health in Indiana. Kim is proficient at combining her background in various
naturopathic modalities with current evidence-based practices, when appropriate, in order to provide
the type of care each patient desires.
Kim is dedicated to providing individualized care to her patients to enable them to live full and enriching
lives.
Michele McCormick, NP
Palliative Care
“People often assume that you need a terminal illness to receive palliative care, but anyone suffering from unmanaged or distressing symptoms can benefit. I find it rewarding to work with patients and families in developing an integrative plan of care that can help improve their quality of life.”
Michele McCormick is a board certified Nurse Practioner specializing in hospice and palliative medicine, as well as wound and ostomy care. A graduate of NAU, she went on to train and work in the Mayo Care Network and remains active in ongoing collaboratives. In 2014, she was recognized as national Hospice Nurse of the Year. Michele has helped to establish both inpatient hospital based, and outpatient ambulatory palliative care programs. She is a member of the Center to Advance Palliative Care and has earned advanced training designation in the areas of pain and symptom management.
For more information on what palliative care offers, and if it might be right for you or your loved one, click the below link.
Kimberly Novak, FNP-C
Family Medicine
Kimberly Novak, is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner with specialized training in emergency, pediatric, and women’s health during her time spent working alongside local physicians. As an Arizona native, born in Kingman, raised in Payson, and currently residing in Saint Johns; she understands the needs of patients in our rural area and the struggles that come with it. As a mother of 4 children (3 living), a daughter, and a wife, she understands that the need for family centered care and need for a provider you can rely on and trust.
Her goal is to provide timely and competent medical care. When she’s not at work you can find her spending time with her family, gardening, hunting, or hiking.
Michael J. Sassmann, PA-C
Internal Medicine
Already having 18 years of experience as a paramedic under his belt, Michael furthered his healthcare education and obtained his Master of Physician Assistant Sciences from Saint Francis University in 2010. He joined Dr. Leon Driss's practice in Lakeside in 2013, where he has mentored several Physician Assistant students. Outside of the office, he enjoys family time, the outdoors, and playing guitar.
MaryJane "Mimi" Sorenson, RN, BSN, MSN, FNP-BC
Family Medicine
Family Nurse Practitioner
Mimi Sorenson is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2018 from Grand Canyon University. She has been with Premier Mountain Healthcare since 2022. She has been a nurse for 20 years and has specialized in trauma, transplants, critical care and currently family practice. She is a native to this community; born and raised. She works hard to stay abreast with changes in medicine and continuing education to further provide the best she can living and serving an underserved community. Her family is very important to her as she is a wife and mother of 5 children. She loves to camp, hunt and travel to new places. Her goal is to continue to provide the best care possible within her scope of practice to her community.
