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Meet the Shoals Kidney & Hypertension Center Team
Since 1977
Dr. N Rao Boorgu started this practice in Sheffield, AL in Colbert County in 1977.
Here you can read a little bit about the compassionate physicians of Shoals Kidney & Hypertension Center of Florence. Learn more about their education and experience below! If you would like to schedule an appointment at our health clinic, please give us a call or stop in and we can connect you with one of our physicians as soon as possible.
Meet the Physicians
Dr. Narasimha Rao Boorgu, FACP
Nephrology
Dr. Boorgu graduated from the Osmania Medical College in 1966. After immigrating to the United States in 1972, he did his training at Rutgers Hospital in New Jersey. Subsequently he was recruited to the Shoals area in 1977 at which point he formed the first nephrology practice in the area. For many years called N Rao Boorgu, MD, PC it was renamed as Shoals Kidney and Hypertension Center in year 2000. Dr. Boorgu has been in continuous clinical practice since that time and has provided almost 50 years of medical care to patients in the Shoals area. He was the founder of the inpatient dialysis unit at Helen Keller Hospital, Shoals Hospital and what is currently known as North Alabama Medical Center. He remains medical director of several outpatient hemodialysis units and is active in his clinical practice at Shoals Kidney and Hypertension Center. Dr. Boorgu is known for his compassionate approach to treating patients, and is loved by his many patients and colleagues.
Dr. Subir Paul
Nephrology
After completion of training from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and New York Medical College, Subir Paul MD, FASN, joined Shoals Kidney & Hypertension Center in 1996. Dr. Paul has privileges at Eliza Coffee, Helen Keller and Shoals Hospitals where he has served on several committees. He is a fellow with the American Society of Nephrology. Dr. Paul was a scholar in a Hypertension related research fellowship from the National Institute of Health. His research work has been published in prestigious national journals and he continues to present and publish his research work in both National and International Nephrology annual scientific conferences.
Dr. Paul emphasizes early detection of CKD and its complications and provides up-to-date, personalized, compassionate care with excellence to prevent or slow down the progression of CKD and its associated complications to improve patients’ quality of life and overall health outcome. He has a special interest in hypertension, anemia of kidney disease, mineral and bone disorders of CKD and cardio-renal syndrome.
Dr. Paul loves to teach and has mentored a significant number of nurse practitioners in the Shoals area over many years. He also continues to precept medical students from two medical schools with a vision to transform medical students of today to excellent physicians for tomorrow.
Dr. Rajesh Boorgu, FASN
Nephrology
Dr. Rajesh Boorgu joined Shoals Kidney & HTN Center in 2000 after completing his Nephrology Fellowship training at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology and recognized as a Specialist in Clinical Hypertension by the American Society of Hypertension. Dr. Boorgu has active privileges at Helen Keller Hospital, North Alabama Medical Center, and Shoals Hospitals, as well as DaVita Dialysis. He currently serves as the Laboratory Medical Director at Shoals Kidney & HTN Center.
Dr. Boorgu takes a special interest in functional medicine and lifestyle modification in the treatment of chronic medical issues. He takes a “less is more” approach to medical management. Many patients, especially in the geriatric population, receive too many medications, and many times the proper treatment is the removal of medications versus addition. When he is not working, Dr. Boorgu enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing tennis, strength training, and road cycling.
Dr. Dwight Matthew, FASN
Transplant Nephrology
Dr. Dwight Matthew joined Shoals Kidney and Hypertension Center as a Transplant Nephrologist in August 2013 upon completion of his Transplant Fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Before starting his transplant fellowship at UAB, Dr. Matthew had completed his Nephrology Fellowship program at Hahnemann University Hospital – Drexel University in Pennsylvania, PA. He is from St. George’s Grenada where he completed his Doctorate of Medicine in June 2003 before coming to the United States to complete his Nephrology training. Dr. Matthew is board certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine and recognized as a Specialist in Clinical Hypertension by the American Society of Hypertension. He also completed a mini-fellowship program in Renal Ultrasonography at Emory University. Dr. Matthew has active privileges at Helen Keller, North Alabama Medical Center & Shoals Hospitals as well as DaVita Dialysis. He is a member of the American Society of Hypertension, American Society of Transplantation, American Society of Nephrology, National Kidney Foundation, and others. He has been active in research and has been published in several medical journals.
The People Behind Your Care
From the moment you call our office to your lab work, visits and billing questions, our staff is here to make your care at Shoals Kidney & Hypertension Center smooth, personal and compassionate.
Leadership & Administration
With us since 1990Office Manager
Margaret Hipps
Margaret has supported our physicians, staff and patients since July 23, 1990. She enjoys addressing concerns and finding positive solutions that benefit our patients and their families.
How I can help
- Oversees daily practice operations, including human resources, physician scheduling, contracts and credentialing.
- Keeps practice policies, programs and projects organized and on track.
- Assists patients and staff with billing concerns and other issues that come up during a visit.
- Promotes an organized, efficient and welcoming experience for every patient.
With us since 1979Business Manager
Subhashini Boorgu
Mrs. Boorgu oversees the business and administrative operations that keep the practice running smoothly, managing important financial, employee and operational functions behind the scenes.
How I can help
- Oversees day-to-day business operations and financial planning.
- Manages accounts payable and other financial responsibilities.
- Supports human resources, payroll and employee benefits.
- Helps oversee the organization’s retirement plan.
- Supports administrative needs so our team can focus on patient care.
Nurse Practitioners & Nursing
Nurse Practitioner
Katherine “Katie” YoungbloodMSN, CRNP, ACNPC-AG
Katie specializes in nephrology, caring for patients with kidney disease and related conditions. She enjoys helping patients feel reassured and supported, especially when they are newly referred to our practice.
How I can help
- Sees new patients and provides ongoing follow-up care.
- Helps manage chronic kidney disease and other nephrology conditions.
- Reviews and interprets laboratory results and diagnostic imaging.
- Manages medications and concerns such as high or low blood pressure and diabetes control.
- Provides education and support for patients receiving or preparing for dialysis.
5 years with usAcute Care Nurse Practitioner
Holly Blackburn
Holly primarily cares for hospitalized patients with acute and chronic kidney disease. With a nursing background in cardiovascular intensive care and hospitalist experience, she enjoys helping patients and their loved ones navigate a difficult time in their lives.
How I can help
- Cares for hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.
- Explains kidney diagnoses, treatment and possible recovery from acute kidney injury.
- Discusses the management and progression of chronic kidney disease during a hospital stay.
- Follows hospitalized patients who are on dialysis or have chronic kidney disease.
Adult Family Nurse Practitioner
Justin Coan
Justin primarily rounds at our dialysis clinics, caring for patients with end-stage kidney disease and acute kidney injury, and supports our physicians in the hospitals when needed.
How I can help
- Rounds at dialysis clinics caring for patients with end-stage kidney disease.
- Cares for patients with acute kidney injury (AKI).
- Supports our physicians in local hospitals when needed.
3.5 years with usRegistered Nurse
Jacob FeltmanRN, BSN
Jacob supports patients through assessments, treatments, education and care coordination. He brings experience in intensive care and post-anesthesia care, and focuses on helping patients and families understand their care.
How I can help
- Performs patient assessments, including medical history and vital signs.
- Helps with anemia management, scheduling, medication updates and lab questions.
- Educates patients about medications, chronic conditions, lifestyle changes and preventive care.
- Coordinates care with patients and other healthcare providers.
- Assists with emergent health concerns and appropriate next steps.
Clinical Support & Laboratory
Physician Medical Scribe & Medical Assistant
Peggy Hipps
Peggy works alongside our physicians to support patients throughout their care. She enjoys helping patients understand their health and how to manage it through medication, diet and lifestyle changes.
How I can help
- Completes and supports patient chart documentation alongside the physician.
- Helps with medication questions and sends prescriptions to the pharmacy as directed.
- Provides diabetes education and helps with continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
- Assists with applications and paperwork for specialty medications.
Medical Assistant
Jenna Hale
Jenna supports our physicians and patients as a medical assistant, helping each visit run smoothly.
18 years with usLaboratory Manager
Heather McNeillMLT
Heather maintains our laboratory equipment to support precise, accurate results and runs patient samples. She enjoys getting to know patients personally and treating them as people, not just names or numbers.
How I can help
- Answers laboratory-related questions.
- Contact Heather when laboratory results or orders need to be faxed.
- Associate Degree in Applied Science, Wallace State Community College.
Phlebotomist
Angel Puente
Angel is part of our on-site laboratory team at our Florence office.
Front Office, Billing & Insurance
20 years in healthcareFront Office / Medical Receptionist
Haley Krska
Haley welcomes every patient with a smile. She enjoys listening to patients, answering questions and helping each person feel valued, respected and well cared for.
How I can help
- Checks patients in, answers calls and helps with appointments and scheduling.
- Helps with insurance eligibility, referrals, payments and insurance questions.
- Coordinates tests and appointments with other healthcare offices.
- Assists with medical records requests from disability services, law offices and other providers.
8+ years in patient careMedical Receptionist / MA
Lindsey Davis
Lindsey is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable, heard and cared for from their very first contact with our office, and less nervous about the unknown.
How I can help
- Assists with new patient referrals and coordinates referrals to and from our office.
- Processes medical record requests from insurance companies and for hospital claims.
- Schedules and reschedules appointments and helps with bill payments.
- Routes back-office questions and assists with patient triage when needed.
8+ years in medical officesMedical Secretary / Front Office
Kelsie ReidB.S.
Kelsie helps make every patient’s experience smooth and welcoming, so patients and families feel heard, supported and confident their concerns are handled with compassion.
How I can help
- Schedules follow-up appointments and answers questions about appointment dates and times.
- Provides information about our clinic location and in-office lab hours.
- Handles office paperwork, including claims.
- Connects you with the right person or takes a message when needed.
10+ years experienceBilling & Insurance
Tammy Coker
Tammy helps patients understand their account balances, insurance claims and available options, so they feel more confident navigating their healthcare expenses.
How I can help
- Answers insurance questions and explains how claims were processed.
- Explains account balances and helps address claim denials.
- Manages patient accounts, accounts receivable and insurance reports.
- Contact Tammy when you receive a bill or need to update your insurance.
20+ years in medical billingBilling Department
Christine Esparza
Christine has more than 20 years of medical billing experience and has been part of our practice for 4 years. She works behind the scenes with insurance companies to correct accounts, resolve billing issues and keep account balances accurate.
How I can help
- Works with insurance companies to address billing and account issues.
- Manages accounts receivable and collections.
- Helps answer questions about billing statements.
- Assists with correcting account discrepancies and balancing accounts.
- Helps patients know where to turn when they have questions about their bills.
Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Preferred: Contact through the main office
Have a question for our team?
Call our Florence office and ask for the team member you need.