HamesNet Steering Committee

Dr. Gabriella “Gabi” Maris earned a BA in Psychology from Emory University, an MD from the Medical University of South Carolina, and completed Family Medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania. She serves as Core Faculty and Clerkship Director at Wellstar Douglas Family Medicine and Medical Director of Wellstar LGBT+ Primary Care. A mother, fitness enthusiast, passionate teacher, and lifelong vegetarian, she is dedicated to education, wellness, and inclusive patient care.  

Lanette Tippins, LCSW, serves as Practice Administrator for Southern Family Medicine in Claxton, Georgia, overseeing operations, clinical compliance, staff development, and student clinical rotations. She also serves as Dr. Miller’s medical scribe, assisting with direct patient care by providing in-room medical scribing and supporting clinical procedures, as well as providing documentation and billing training for medical students during clinical rotations. She also serves as Research Coordinator for The HamesNet blood pressure research project partnered with Southern Family Medicine and KidsABC Champion and liaison.  

Dr. Nicole Hardeman is a family medicine physician at Hamilton Family Medicine Clinic, located inside Hamilton Physician Group-Murray Campus in Chatsworth, Georgia. She attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee, Georgia, and completed her residency training in family medicine at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She is married to Dr. Will Hardeman, a general surgeon at Hamilton Physician Group-General Surgery.  Dr. Hardeman chose to work in family medicine because she “loves getting to know people, hearing their stories, and sharing ways they can optimize their health. I believe a great physician is a great listener.” 

Dr. James “Patrick” Walton is a family medicine physician currently serving in South Augusta at Southern Family Medical Center. He is a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia and completed his residency in family medicine at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL. After completing residency, he served as a physician for the Navy and USMC in Cherry Point, NC, and then returned to work as faculty in Jacksonville at his prior residency. Upon completing time with the Navy, he moved back to Augusta, GA, to start working at Southern Family Medical Center. He has been working at this practice since 2015, with the exception of two years when he worked in vocational medical mission work in Northern Ontario on a First Nation Reserve. Teaching has always been a key factor in every location he has served. No matter which setting of work, Dr. Walton enjoys training students and residents and encouraging both clinical and research opportunities. 

Dr. Thomas J. Miller Jr., a Claxton, Georgia native, fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a family physician and serving his hometown. He is M.D graduate from Medical College of Georgia, and returned to Claxton in 2013 to practice family medicine. He is the owner of the Claxton location and a partner in the Statesboro location of Southern Family Medicine, where he also serves as Chief Operating Officer for the entire practice. He is partnered with HamesNet Research, allowing patients at the Claxton office to participate in clinical research focused on blood pressure and rural health. Passionate about education, he serves as a preceptor for medical students and serves as Medical Director of Bethany Hospice.   

Dr. Dean Seehusen earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa and a Master of Public Health from the University of Washington.  He holds a Board Certification from the American Board of Family Medicine and a Certificate of Added Qualification in Healthcare Administration, Leadership, and Management.  He is a graduate of the Tripler Army Medical Center Family Medicine Residency and the Madigan Army Medical Center Faculty Development Fellowship in Family Medicine.  Dr. Seehusen is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia.