Lincoln Community Health Center

1140 South Vienna

Ruston, LA 71270

Phone: 318-224-7190
Fax: 318-224-7194

After-Hours Phone: 318-224-7190

Hours of Operation

Tuesday - Friday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Extended Hours

Saturday - Monday

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Lincoln Community Health Center Pharmacy

Phone: (318) 224-7191

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed daily for lunch 12:30 to 1:30)

Meet Your Providers

Angela Odom-Austin, MD - Board Certified Pediatrician

Dr. Angela Odom-Austin was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. She attended Dillard University of New Orleans, Louisiana for undergraduate studies. She then proceeded to Duke University School of Medicine. Upon graduation, her pediatric studies took her to eastern Virginia where she practiced, taught medicine, and raised a family over the next twenty plus years. Her professional work has included 15 years of residential care of children at the Virginia School for the Deal, Blind, and Multi handicapped management of moderate-severe asthma and extremely premature infants: and the study of adult addiction medicine. Other medical interests include neurology, genetics, space-health, and community health.

James Belue, MD

When we fall sick or sustain an injury, we consult a doctor who assesses our symptoms, identifies a diagnosis, and prescribes an appropriate treatment plan. The success of the plan is dependent on both the Doctor and the Patient. The Doctor calls on years of educational knowledge, practical experience, and communication skills to gain information regarding his patient’s illness. The patient is an active participant during office visits because only the patient can personally describe his symptoms, possible causes, or even degree of pain.

As a Family Practice Physician, Dr. James Michael Belue encourages his patients to actively participate in their wellness programs. Dr. Belue is a Family Practice Physician with over 40 years of medical experience. He has worked with patients in hospital healthcare facilities, assisted living and long-term care facilities, mental illness facilities, emergency room hospitals, and private practice. Dr. Belue is a full-time family practice physician employed by Lincoln Parish Community Health Center in Ruston, Louisiana. Dr. Belue has also served as a Coroner for the people of Lincoln Parish for over 16 years.

Michael Walker, DO

Lauren Sharett, MD - Neurology

Dr. Lauren Sharett started her academic journey at Brown University, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She then headed to New Orleans to snag her medical degree from Tulane School of Medicine. Her neurology residency took her from Tulane Medical Center to the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.

As a neurologist, Dr. Sharett covers the full range of neurological conditions. She’s particularly passionate about migraine and headache management and has a keen eye for spotting neurological signs in rheumatological conditions.

When it comes to practicing medicine, Dr. Sharett’s philosophy is simple but profound: listen to patients and conduct thorough neurological exams. She believes that while tests can be helpful, the heart of good medical care lies in attentive listening and ongoing observation.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Sharett loves spending quality time with her family, especially her daughter Violet.

Wynn Dee Rinicker, FNP

Wynne Dee Lewis Rinicker was born in New Orleans and moved to Ruston in seventh grade. She is a proud Ruston High School graduate and graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Nursing in 1992. After leaving Ruston to live in Atlanta, Georgia and Memphis, Tennessee she came back home to Ruston to raise her family. Wynne Dee returned to school at Northwestern State University graduating in 2011 with her Master’s of Science in Nursing and is certified by American Academy of Nurse Practictioners. Wynne Dee worked locally for seven years with MD Kerry Byrnes in surgery before joining her work family at Lincoln Community Health Center. She currently resides in Ruston, Louisiana. Wynne Dee is a widow and mother of one son Andrew “Garrett”. She loves spending time with her two beautiful grandchildren: Blakelyn Grace and Winston Spade. Wynne Dee is committed to serving her community by offering sublime patient care.

Marynell Hardin, FNP

Marynell Hardin was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana. She is a graduate of Neville High School and attended Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM) School of Nursing graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in Psychology in 1996. She worked primarily in a critical care setting and has dynamic experience working as needed in multiple settings for 20 years. During this time, she raised three amazing daughters who are the greatest blessing in her life. Inspired by them and driven to be an example to them and other women, she returned to graduate school and received a Master of Science in Nursing at Northwestern State University and is Board Certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Since, she has obtained experience in primary care, cardiovascular surgery, comprehensive and compassionate medical care with a focus on wellness and prevention for all in our community. Marynell believes medicine is a way to serve others with dignity, respect and integrity. It is necessary to learn continuously and is humbling to practice.

Teresa Brooks, FNP-C

I am married. I have one son who is 14 years old. Originally from Fordyce, Arkansas. Moved to Ruston, Louisiana, in 1994 to attend La Tech University, where I received a B.S (1999) and M.S (2001) in Biology and an Associates Degree in Nursing (2003). My original plans were to go to medical school but decided against it and wanted to try nursing. In 2004 I received my Bachelors in Nursing from ULM in Monroe, LA. Then I went to work at St. Francis for a short while until I decided I wanted to go to graduate school. In 2007 I graduated from Mississippi University for Women with a master's in Nursing. My son was born 1 month before I graduated. After graduating, I went to work at West Carroll Health Systems, where I worked for almost 13 years. In 2012, I graduated from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences with a Doctorate in Nursing. In February 2020, I left West Carroll Health Systems due to the clinic's closing. Stayed home for a while and decided to open a bakery. Started work at Trinity Community Health Systems in August.

Melani Craig, FNP-C

Melani Dawn Craig is a native of Hodge, Louisiana. She graduated from Jonesboro-Hodge High School. Then attended Grambling State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing. Melani worked for seven years at NLMC in Pediatrics and Newborn Nursery with experience in Women’s Health and Adult Medical / Surgical. She worked at Lincoln Community Health for two years in primary care and two years in Rheumatology at Green Clinic. She currently resides in Choudrant, Louisiana with her husband Trey. They have three children, TJ, Caroline, and Addliline. Melani is very excited to return to her passion in primary care at Lincoln Community Health Center.

Monte Moore, CNP

Monte Moore is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner originally from Arkansas and currently living in Ruston. He has almost 30 years experience as a registered nurse and advanced practice nurse. In his spare time he enjoys fishing and hunting and exploring the forests and waterways of Louisiana. Additionally, he is a motorcyclist and an avid amateur cook enjoying recreating you tube cooking video inspired dishes. He is married and has one child, a 22 year old son, who is a computer programmer. He is very excited to be a psychiatric practitioner with Winn Community Health helping provide services to the people of Northwest Louisiana.

Sandra Culp, DDS

Dr. Sandra Culp is our general dentist. She is originally from Hamburg, Arkansas and practiced in southwest Louisiana prior to coming to Lincoln Community Health Center. Dr. Culp attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree and later received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1996 from the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans. She is a member of the American Dental Association and the Louisiana Dental Association.

Mary Rowland, Hygienist

Meet Mary Rowland, a proud native of Columbia, Louisiana. After graduating from Caldwell Parish High School, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM) in 1992. Before joining the team at Lincoln Community Health Center, Mary built her career primarily in southwest Louisiana.

Mary is also a dedicated mom to her son, Jordan, and delights in spending quality time with him and her adorable grandson, "Kase". Balancing her professional life with her role as a loving mother and grandmother, Mary brings warmth and expertise to everyone she meets.

Stephen Vessel, Pharmacist

Stephen Vessel was born in Monroe and raised in West Monroe. He graduated from Cedar Creek School and then Louisiana Tech University. He received his pharmacy degree from Northeast Louisiana University in 1995. He brings 25 years of pharmacy experience to Lincoln Community Health Center. Stephen currently lives in Ruston with his wife Dr. Amy Vessel, a professor of education at Louisiana Tech, and his two sons Brandon and John Davis. He currently serves on the Ruston Community Theatre and FCA Board of Directors. Stephen loves running marathons and acting in the community theatre. His passion is to give back to the community.

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