Physicians:

Mark A. Cline, M.D.
Eric Cline, M.D.
Rachel Cline, M.D.

Nacogdoches, TX Office:

Supervising Physician: Mark A. Cline, M.D.
Courtney Avra, PA-C
Caroline Chance, FNP-C
Sarah Davis, FNP-C
Kate McConnell, FNP-C
Erin Somerlatte, PA-C

Center Office:

Supervising Physician: Mark A. Cline, M.D.
April Gaddy, FNP-C
Candace Mahan, FNP-C
Laura Rodgers, ACNP-BC

Rusk Office:

Supervising Physician: Mark A. Cline, M.D.
David McIntyre, DNP-C
Jessica Oker, FNP-C

Mark A. Cline, M.D.

Bio


Dr. Cline is a board certified Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and has been in private practice as a family physician in Nacogdoches, TX since finishing his residency training in 1997.

Dr. Cline graduated near the top of his class from the University of Texas Medical School of Texas in 1994. He was elected president of the Alpha Omega Alpha national honor medical society while a student there. He then spent three years at the Baylor affiliated Waco Family Practice Residency in Waco, Tx. where he was trained in pediatrics and adult medicine, both inpatient and outpatient. He served as Chief Resident during his third year.

In addition to his private practice, Dr. Cline has also been a longtime teaching proctor of Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and medical students in his office and has been recognized as an outstanding teacher for his efforts. He is a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Nacogdoches-San Augustine Medical Society, American Academy of Family Physicians, and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Eric Cline, M.D.

Bio

Dr. Eric Cline grew up in Nacogdoches, TX and attended Nacogdoches High School. He earned his undergraduate degree in biology at Baylor University and went on to medical school in El Paso. In 2015, he married Dr. Rachel Cline, and they graduated together from the Paul L Foster School of Medicine in 2018. He completed his family medicine residency in Waco and graduated as a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine in 2021.

Rachel Cline, M.D.

Bio

Dr. Rachel Luna Cline, a Nacogdoches, TX native, earned her undergraduate degree in biology at Southern Methodist University, graduating summa cum laude. She began her medical education at University Texas Medical Branch, then transferred to Texas Tech, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine after marrying Dr. Eric Cline, and graduated in 2018.

She completed her family medicine residency at Waco Family Medicine Residency Program, with emphasis on adult, pediatric, and geriatric care in the inpatient and outpatient settings. She received additional training in international and obstetrics/gynecology. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine.

Courtney Avra, PA-C

Bio

Courtney Avra, PA-C attended high school in Houston, Texas and graduated in 2013. She grew up going to her family property in Nacogdoches on the weekends and for holidays, where she gained a love for small-town life. After high school, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Texas A&M University in 2017, graduating cum laude. After college, she worked as an emergency medical technician for a year, which allowed her to gain experience in many different medical settings. Courtney then began her journey as a physician assistant at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee, Georgia. In clinical year, she was fortunate to gain experience in many various communities throughout the country and gained a greater love for people of all different backgrounds. She graduated with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2021. She is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). After graduating, Courtney returned to Texas, where she would make Nacogdoches her home. She accepted a position at Cline Family Medicine soon after and has since gained a greater love for family medicine.

Candace Mahan, FNP-C

Bio

Candace Carter is a Family Nurse Practitioner, certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She attended the University of Texas at Tyler where she received her Master of Science in Nursing Administration and in 2016 received a Post Masters FNP Certification from the University of South Alabama.

Candace has worked as an RN in ICUs across the United States. She also completed travel assignments to John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and MD Anderson in Houston, Texas.

Candace returned to East Texas in 2013, where she taught critical care nursing at Stephen F. Austin State University. Candace is a graduate of Shelbyville High School and has returned to serve the community as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Cline Family Medicine in Center.

Candace volunteers in the community by serving in various local organizations, including the 50 Women Impact Group,Shelby County Young Professionals Network, and Xi Alpha Delta Rho.

Candace is passionate about caring for the needs of others and is proud to work with a talented team of care givers at Cline Family Medicine. Her passion recently led her on a medical mission trip to serve the people of Honduras. In her spare time, she loves to travel while spending time with family and friends.

Kate McConnell MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Bio

Kate McConnell MSN, APRN, FNP-C is an east Texas girl through and through! She was born and raised in Nacogdoches, TX and graduated in 2004 from Nacogdoches High School.

Becoming a nurse was a childhood dream of hers which came true when she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Stephen F. Austin in 2009. Kate began her career by working as a critical care nurse at Lufkin Memorial Hospital and THR Dallas Presbyterian Hospital before opting for a more family friendly work schedule as a Pre-Op/PACU nurse at Baylor Scott and White Surgicare in Rockwall, TX. She believes that each of the incredible nurses she worked with over the years helped mold who she is today.

In 2019, Kate earned her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner degree from The University of Texas at Arlington.

After living in the DFW area for 9 years Kate and her husband felt the Lord calling them back to east texas. God's perfect plan for Kate and her family became evident when she learned from a friend back home that Dr. Cline was building a new clinic and was looking to expand his practice.

Kate joined Cline Family Medicine in July 2020 and although she never dreamed she would begin her career as an FNP during a pandemic she is enjoying being back home and helping the people of east texas.

She resides in Nacogdoches, TX with her husband Luin and their two sons. In her free time she enjoys attending church with her family and friends, cheering on her boys as they play baseball and basketball, and scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration for their new home.

Jessica Ocker FNP-C

Bio

Jessica Ocker attended high school in Greenwood, Arkansas graduating magna cum laude in 2004. She moved back to her hometown of Whitehouse, Texas and began her college career at Tyler Junior College. She graduated in 2006 with an Associates in Arts and Science. She continued her education at The University of Texas at Tyler and received her BSN in 2010 graduating magna cum laude. After becoming an RN, Jessica worked as an ICU nurse at ETMC Tyler for 5 years. In 2013 she was accepted into the masters program at UT Tyler to begin her journey of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. During this time she transferred units to work in Pre and Post Heart Cath and Interventional Radiology at ETMC where she worked until she completed her degree. Jessica also had the opportunity to work for Pulmonary Specialist of Tyler in the Intensive Care Unit while completing her degree. Jessica credits the six years of experience in the hospital setting for preparing her to practice as an Advance Practice Registered Nurse

Jessica graduated with her MSN in June 2016 and accepted a job at Cline Family Medicine the very same day. She is AANP board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Jessica and her husband Jake started their family shortly after she completed her degree and now have two small children, Jasper and JoJo. She has enjoyed her time working in family medicine and looks forward to practicing with Cline Family Medicine for years to come.

Caroline Chance FNP-C

Bio

Caroline Chance is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners with a strong educational background in Sports Medicine and Nursing. Caroline was born and raised in Lufkin, Texas and graduated from Lufkin High School. She attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine. Following completion of her undergraduate education, Caroline attended Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, Tennessee. There, she received credentialing as a Registered Nurse and a Master of Science in Nursing specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She graduated summa cum laude. She is also an active member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, reflecting her continued commitment to excellence in nursing practice.

Caroline is continuing to advance her education at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing as she pursues a Doctorate in Nursing Practice which will better prepare her to be a leader in advanced nursing practice, to bring evidence-based knowledge into the practice setting, to improve healthcare outcomes, and strengthen her leadership role in guiding complex care delivery and nursing education. Caroline is a candidate to complete her Doctorate in Nursing Practice in the spring of 2025.

Caroline is most passionate about her faith in Christ and treasures her time spent with close family and friends. At Cline Family Medicine, she applies her expertise in diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illnesses. She is committed to patient education, promoting health and wellness, and providing compassionate care to the residents of East Texas.

Laura Rodgers, ACNP-BC

Bio

Laura C. Rodgers, ACNP-BC has been a provider at Cline Family Medicine since December 2014. Laura was born and raised in Shreveport-Bossier. She currently resides in Joaquin with her husband Nat (Rodgers) and two children, Abi and Wilson. In 2007, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Laura's nursing background includes being an inpatient dialysis nurse followed by 5 years of Surgical ICU nursing at a level one trauma center in Shreveport.

In 2013, she graduated with her Master's of Science in Nursing.

She is ANCC board certified as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. As an ACNP, Laura worked in internal medicine for one year prior to joining Cline Family Medicine. In her down time, Laura enjoys spending time with her family and close friends. She is involved in her church and feels her faith, family and friends are the most important parts of her life. She has a passion for delivering high quality personalized health care and has expressed that she enjoys caring for the residents of Shelby County and surrounding areas.

Erin Sommerlatte P.A.-C

Bio

Erin Sommerlatte, PA-C attended high school in Tomball, Texas graduating magna cum laude. Having always wanted to serve in the medical community, she spent many hours volunteering at the local hospital. In 2002, Erin earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Business Management from Houston Baptist University. While attending college, she worked as a medical scribe in several emergency rooms in the Houston area. This allowed her to confirm her desire to continue in the medical field. Erin was accepted to Baylor College of Medicine Physician Assistant program. She enjoyed the challenges and opportunities afforded to her by attending school in the Houston Medical Center. She graduated with a Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2006. She is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physical Assistants.

After graduation, Erin began her career in Orthopedic Surgery in Cypress, Texas. She worked in both the clinic and hospital setting practicing for eight years. In 2015, Erin and her husband, Jeff, decided it was time to leave the Houston area. They chose Nacogdoches, TX as home and she joined Cline Family Medicine. She has loved her time working in family medicine. She has been able to draw on her training and working experience to provide exceptional care to her patients.