Our Providers
Meet the doctors and nurses who care for you at University Women's Specialists.
Physicians
Nikki B. Zite, MD, MPH, FACOG
Residency Program Director
Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology Surgery
Dr. Zite is a Professor in the Department of OB/GYN and serves as the Residency Program Director, a position she has held since 2010. She practices general obstetrics and gynecology with expertise and research interests in contraception and family planning. She is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive work group and is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Society of Family Planning.Dr. Zite was born and raised in the Chicago area. She completed her medical school education at Northwestern University and then headed south for her OB/GYN training in Memphis at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She met her husband while in Memphis and he convinced her to stay in the South, but not before going back to Chicago for her Fellowship in Family Planning and her Master’s in Public Health at the University of Illinois. She joined University Women's Specialists and the faculty at UT Medical Center in 2004. In 2008-2009 she and her family moved to Cleveland, Ohio for her husband’s fellowship and then returned to Knoxville.
When she is not working, Nikki is typically with her 2 boys at one of their numerous activities or cheering for the Chicago Cubs. She and her husband love to travel and hope to do more of it someday!
Education and Training
Certification: American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Schools: Northwestern University Medical School
Internships: University of Tennessee
Residencies: University of Tennessee
Fellowships: Family Planning and Contraception, University of Illinois
Masters: Public Health, University of Illinois
Memberships
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Maternal Medical Director Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care
Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics
Tennessee Medical Association
Knoxville Academy of Medicine
Jaclyn B. van Nes, MD, MBA, FACOG
Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. van Nes enjoys the challenge of being a specialist in general obstetrics and gynecology. Her primary interest is preventative care throughout a woman's life, including pregnancy and menopause. She also enjoys teaching future physicians and is an Assistant Professor with the Department of OB/GYN and is the Director of the OB/GYN Simulation program. She has presented in numerous national conferences about resident education.A native of Kentucky, Dr. van Nes completed her B.S. in Biology and M.D. from the University of Kentucky (go Wildcats!) She then moved to Knoxville and completed her OB/GYN residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center Knoxville, graduating with CREOG exam awards as well as the Chairman's award. After residency, she joined University Women's Specialists in 2008 where she has been in practice since. In 2016, she obtained her M.B.A. degree from the University of Tennessee and is the Medical Director of University Women's Specialists.
In her spare time, Dr. van Nes enjoys spending time with her husband and three children as well as running half marathons and reading fiction.
Education and Training
Certification: American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Schools: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Internships: University of Tennessee Medical Center
Residencies: University of Tennessee Medical Center
Memberships
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics
Tennessee Medical Association
Knoxville Academy of Medicine
Society of Simulation in Healthcare
Natalie P. Blaché, MD, FACOG
Assistant Professor, Clinical Instructor, Obstetrics & Gynecology Surgery
Dr. Blache received her medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Science Center New Orleans and completed her residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center Knoxville. She decided to stay in Knoxville and join University Women’s Specialists after her home town was hit by Hurricane Katrina. She is the current Adjunct Women’s Health Director for South College Physician Assistant Program and is an Assistant Professor within the Department of OB/GYN at UTMC. She currently leads the LGBT curriculum for the department. Dr. Blache’s interests include in office surgeries, infertility, and abnormal uterine bleeding. She is a proud mom to two beautiful daughters and enjoys interior design and creating custom cakes and cookies.
Certification: American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Education and Training
Schools: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Internships: University of Tennessee Medical Center
Residencies: University of Tennessee Medical Center
Memberships
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Tennessee Medical Association
Knoxville Academy of Medicine
Erinn R. Morgan, MD, FACOG
Education and Training
Schools: University of Tennessee College of Medicine
Internships: Greenville Memorial Hospital
Residencies: University of Tennessee Medical Center
Walter W. Schoutko, MD, FACOG
Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. Schoutko was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University, then attended medical school at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Moving back to Cleveland, he completed his residency in OB /GYN at Case Western Reserve MetroHealth Medical Center. During residency he received the Morton Rosen award for top CREOG scores twice and was named chief executive resident. After residency, Dr. Schoutko served in the United States Air Force at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina and Langley AFB, Virginia. He was named chief of OB/Gyn at both locations.After military duty he started a private practice in Mansfield, Ohio. He served that community for 10 years before a transitioning to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in 2009. At the University of Tennessee, he has enjoyed a mixture of private practice and academics where he has received multiple teaching awards. Currently, he is an assistant professor and serves as medical director of the OB/GYN Clinic. While in Knoxville, he has been a medical director of two different birthing centers and sits on the Medical Board of Hope Resource Center. Professionally, he enjoys all aspects of Ob-Gyn with a specific interest in vaginal and laparoscopic surgery.Dr. Schoutko’s passion is his faith and his family. His wife and five children have been on dozens of different mission trips both individually and together. With his youngest son soon to be in college, he and his wife are looking forward to being empty nesters.
Education and Training
Certification: American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Schools: Ohio State College of Medicine
Internships: The Metro Health Center
Residencies: The Metro Health Center
Memberships
American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Christian Medical and Dental Association
Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics
K. Paige Johnson, MD, FACOG
Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Medical Student Clerkship Director
Education and Training
Certification: American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Schools: West Virginia University School of Medicine
Residencies: University of Tennessee Medical Center
Shenika D. Welch-Charles, MD, FACOG
Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Welch-Charles, originally from Nashville,TN, has been at UT Medical Center since 2015. She graduated from Tennessee State University in 2011 magna cum laude prior to matriculation into medical school. She attended Meharry Medical College and graduated in 2011 with academic honors and was also the recipient of the Leonard B. Tow Humanism award. She remained at Meharry Medical College to complete her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and served as chief resident during her last year.
Following residency, she moved to northern Virginia where she worked private practice. Her ultimate love and dedication to her roots, brought her back to Tennessee to be near her family. Dr. Welch-Charles is married and has one daughter. She enjoys crafting, dancing, and fitness. She is board certified and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Education and Training
Certification: American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Schools: Meharry Medical College
Residencies: Meharry Medical College
Stephanie B. Cross, MD, FACOG
Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Director, Division of Benign Medical & Surgical Gynecology
A Tennessee native, Dr. Cross completed her B.S. in Chemistry at Tennessee Technological University. She attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences in Memphis, Tennessee. She completed her OB/GYN residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Dr. Cross has been engaged as a part of the teaching faculty at UT and private practice throughout her career. She is an Assistant Professor with the Department of OB/GYN and is the Director of the Division of Benign Gynecology. She has a special focus in robotic/minimally invasive surgery.
Outside the hospital, Dr. Cross enjoys spending time with her husband and her three children. She is an avid golfer and enjoys reading, UT sports, and traveling.
Education and Training
Certification: American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Schools: University of Tennessee College of Medicine
Internships: University of Tennessee Medical Center
Residencies: University of Tennessee Medical Center
Memberships
American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists
Society of Robotic Surgeons
Society of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Lisa Buckingham, MD
Education and Training
Certification: American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Schools: University of Tennessee College of Medicine
Residencies: University of Tennessee Medical Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Languages: English
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists
Personal Interests
Yoga, guitar, piano, training for half-marathons
Allison Eaton, MD, FACOG
Clinical Assistant Professor
Education and Training
Certification: American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Schools: University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Internships: Mountain Area Health Education Center
Residencies: Mountain Area Health Education Center
Caregivers
Pryor V. Baird, WHNP-BC
Women's Health Nurse Practiononer
Pryor Baird is a board-certified Women's Health nurse practitioner with experience in mental health. She has a Bachelor's degree from Clemson University and a Master's degree from Vanderbilt University. Her nursing experience includes three years as a nurse on a liver and kidney transplant unit in San Francisco and two years as an obstetrical nurse at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She is a Knoxville native and has been at University Women's Specialists since 2014. She lives with her husband (Gregg), two kids (Graham and Abby), and border collie (Max). In her spare time, Pryor enjoys running, reading, and traveling.
Education and Training
Certification: National Certifying Corporation
Schools: Clemson University, Vanderbilt University
Memberships
Tennessee Nurses Association
Caroline F. Vaughn, WHNP - RN
Women's Health Nurse Practiononer
Caroline Vaughn is a Women's Health nurse practitioner with experience labor and delivery. She has a Bachelor's degree from The University of Tennessee and a Master's degree from Vanderbilt University. Her nursing experience includes six years as a registered nurse with the medical center's labor and delivery unit and six years as a Women's Health nurse practitioner. She lives with her husband (Travis) and their two kids Emily and Hank.
Education and Training
National Certification Corporation, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
State of Tennessee, Licensed Registered Nurse
American Heart Association, Basic Life Support
Schools: The University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University
