OUR TEAM
DR. LEON DRISS
INTERNAL MEDICINE
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A graduate of USC, Dr Driss went on to attend medical school in Wisconsin, and in addition earned a masters degree in medical business administration from Tulane University. He remains active in ongoing education and is an adjunct professor, and preceptor of medical students from the University of Arizona. With board certifications in internal medicine and geriatrics, as well as hospice and palliative care, Dr Driss not only manages patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, but is also an award-winning hospice medical Director serving both Savior Hospice and Pinetop Palliative Care. An expert in adult medicine, Dr Driss has served the white mountains for more than 20 years.
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 practitioner specializing in hospice and palliative medicine, as well as wound and ostomy care. A graduate of NAU, she went on to train and work within the Mayo Clinic network and remains active in ongoing collaborations. In 2014, she was recognized as the 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.
MICHAEL J. SASSMANN, PAC
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 and has recently completed advanced training in the field of functional medicine. Outside of the office, Mike spending time with his family, exploring the outdoors, and playing guitar.