Resources
Christopher Fortson, M.D.
Program Director
Dr. Fortson is a native of Arkansas. He attended medical school at St. George's University and completed his residency at UAMS-West in Fort Smith. He has a special interest in HIV care as well as preventative health for all ages. He is married with two children and enjoys movies, reading, and gardening in his spare time.
Patricio Montiel, M.D.
Associate Program Director
Dr. Montiel attended medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and completed his residency at UAMS-West in Fort Smith. When not working he can be found somewhere outdoors spending his time with his six children.
Dheeraj Anand, M.D.
Core Faculty
Dr. Anand completed his residency at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Geriatrics fellowship at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is the medical director of the Hospitalist group at Mercy. He is a nature lover and enjoys traveling.
Christopher Aponte, M.D.
Core Faculty
Dr. Aponte graduated from Ross University School of Medicine, residency at UAMS-NWA in Fayetteville. He is married with one beautiful daughter. Hobbies are surfing, hiking, golf, biking, anything outdoors. He was prior military and was a nuclear engineer before entering medicine.
Sean Baker, D.O.
Core Faculty
Dr. Baker attended medical school and completed his residency at Oklahoma State University. He joined Mercy in 2007 and has served as Chair of Primary Care since 2012. As a lieutenant colonel in the Oklahoma National Guard, he has been deployed twice to Iraq Kosovo. He serves as a flight surgeon and a senior physician in the 120th MED Co in Broken Arrow, OK. Dr. Baker is the current President of the Arkansas Osteopathic Medical Association.
Stephen Lefler, M.D.
Core Faculty
Dr. Lefler has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 1995. He was in Practice in Searcy, Arkansas for 19 years before joining Mercy Women’s Clinic in 2011. He joined Mercy Family Medicine Residency Staff this year as Director of Women’s Health Training for the Family Medicine Residents. He has four perfect grandchildren. He enjoys visiting the grandkids and traveling with his adored wife of 36 years, Hope.
Amy Schochler, D.O.
Core Faculty
Dr. Schochler attended medical school at University of north Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worthand completed residency at University of Wyoming in Cheyenne. She is married with 2 daughters. Hobbies include reading, horseback riding and walks with her dogs. She also enjoys leading the medical team on yearly mission trips to Guatemala with John Brown University.
