Our Team
Our physicians chose concierge medicine to practice the way they always envisioned, with the time and attention your health deserves.
Founder & Lead Physician
DABFM — Diplomate, American Board of Family Medicine
Board Certified Family Medicine
Dr. Douglas Shapiro founded AnswersMD with a vision to deliver healthcare the way it should be: personal, unhurried, and built on real relationships. With over 6 years of experience in family medicine, he brings deep clinical expertise along with a genuine commitment to knowing each patient as an individual. Dr. Shapiro believes medicine works best when your doctor knows your story, not just your chart. That belief drives everything about how AnswersMD operates.
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Pediatric & Internal Medicine
FAAP, DABIM — Fellow, AAP; Diplomate, ABIM
Board Certified Pediatrics & Internal Medicine
Dr. Drew Meriwether, a USF Health Clinician of the Year, brings exceptional versatility with dual board certifications in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, a rare combination that allows him to provide seamless care for entire families, from newborns to grandparents. His training across both specialties means fewer referrals, better coordination, and a physician who understands how a child's health history connects to their care as an adult. Dr. Meriwether joined AnswersMD because he shares the same commitment to relationship-driven medicine. Here, he has the time to truly know each patient and family he serves.
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Sports & Family Medicine
ABFM — Diplomate, American Board of Family Medicine
Board Certified Family Medicine · Sports Medicine
Dr. Divino D'Alessio Jr. brings a rare combination to AnswersMD: board-certified Family Medicine paired with advanced Sports Medicine training. He has served as team physician for NCAA Division I athletes at Coastal Carolina University and provided sideline coverage for regional high school programs and combat, surfing, and beach volleyball events. His clinical focus includes diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound, ultrasound-guided procedures (PRP, corticosteroid, viscosupplementation), concussion management, and return-to-play protocols. At AnswersMD Boca Raton, he delivers that same athletic-medicine precision to active adults, athletes, and families who want evidence-based care centered on performance, prevention, and long-term health.
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Family & Preventive Medicine
ABFM — Diplomate, American Board of Family Medicine · MPH
Board Certified Family Medicine
Dr. Ellen Howard believes good medicine starts with knowing the person in front of you. A board-certified family physician with a Master's in Public Health, she brings a preventive, community-minded approach to concierge family medicine. She completed her Family Medicine residency here in St. Petersburg and is proud to return to the community she considers home. Her clinical interests center on hormone therapy, weight management and GLP-1 therapy, and preventive lifestyle medicine. A long-time yoga instructor who has worked with Division I athletes, Dr. Howard meets each patient where they are and builds trusted, individualized plans rooted in science, compassion, and sustainable change.
View Full ProfileOur Team
Our dedicated staff ensures your experience with AnswersMD is seamless from start to finish.
Chief of Staff
Lauren brings structure and heart to everything behind the scenes. She coordinates physician schedules, manages clinical workflows, and ensures every operational detail aligns with the personalized care model our members expect. Her attention to detail keeps the practice running at the highest level.
Director of Operations
Jamie oversees the operational infrastructure that allows AnswersMD to deliver exceptional care at scale. With a background in healthcare administration, she focuses on strategic growth initiatives, process optimization, and expanding our capacity to serve more families, without compromising the concierge experience that defines us.
Patient Coordinator
Emma is the first point of contact for our members and often sets the tone for their entire experience. She manages scheduling, coordinates referrals, and handles the day-to-day communication that keeps our members informed and cared for. Her warmth and responsiveness reflect the standard we hold ourselves to.
Nurse Manager
Laura leads the clinical side of every patient visit, from rooming and vitals to in-office procedures and follow-up coordination. She partners closely with our physicians to ensure care is delivered with the precision, warmth, and attention to detail our members count on. Her clinical experience and calm presence make her a steady anchor of the AnswersMD care team.
Medical Assistant
Sarah supports our physicians and nursing team across every part of the visit, from rooming and intake to point-of-care testing and procedure prep. She's often one of the first faces our members see, and she brings a friendly, attentive presence that helps every patient feel comfortable and heard from the moment they walk in.
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