Meet Duke Primary Care Peak Weight Loss Clinic’s providers.

Physicians

Samuel D. Blackwell, MD

Samuel D. Blackwell, MD, Duke Primary Care Peak Family Medicine founded Duke Primary Care Weight Loss Clinic to offer medically-supervised programs to help patients lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Blackwell is a graduate of University of Florida College of Medicine and completed his residency training at Duke University Medical Center. He has been in private practice since 1990. He is a board certified bariatric physician, with specialization in the medical treatment of overweight, obesity and related conditions. 

Advanced Practice Providers

Jon Elkin, NP

Jon graduated in 1991 from West Point Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also attended Pace University with the Lienhard School of Nursing for his BSN in 1996 and his MSN in 1997 as a family nurse practitioner.

Jon has received specific training in medical weight loss by attending an educational conference sponsored by the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, extensive personal study, and working with Dr. Blackwell at Duke Primary Care Peak Weight Loss Clinic.

Staff

Celena Evans, Program Director and Health Care Administrator

Celena graduated with a double major in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of Akron in Ohio and attended West Virginia University for a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology. She found her passion for dietetics while working with the clients at Duke Primary Care Peak Weight Loss Clinic and plans to pursue a Master’s in dietetics. Not only is she the program director, providing information and support to clients and staff, but she is also a continuing success story due to losing 47 pounds while on the program. She conducts the free information sessions and assists with questions and concerns to those inquiring about the program and those that are currently enrolled.

Danielle Brazton, MPH, RD, LDN

Danielle earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a Concentration in Nutrition from North Carolina State University in December 2004 and her Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in August 2008. She completed her Dietetic Internship at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC. She currently works full-time at The UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention as a Project Manager. Danielle values a holistic approach to health care and has a passion for working with clients to help them meet their nutritional and weight loss goals.

Ashley Acornley, MS, RD, LDN

Ashley is originally from Philadelphia, PA and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Kinesiology from Penn State University in August 2008. She completed her Dietetic Internship at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC in May 2010. She received her Master’s in Nutrition from Meredith College in May of 2012. Ashley is also an AFAA certified personal trainer and has been training clients for the past four years. She enjoys staying active by participating in 5Ks and triathlons, and is very interested in wellness and sports dietetics. She will be serving as the 5K Apprentice this year on the Raleigh District Dietetic Association Board. Ashley enjoys working in an outpatient wellness setting and encourages her clients to stay motivated and physically active!

Theresa Schroeder, MHP, RD, LDN

Theresa attended NCSU for undergraduate studies and holds a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry. After working as a civilian for the Army, she returned to school to receive her Master degree in Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill, where she also became eligible to sit for the Registered Dietitian exam. After working for two years in the Nutrition Division at Durham County Health Department as a community nutritionist.

Lynne Privette, RD, LDN

Lynne earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) Nutrition degree from UNC Chapel Hill along with a Spanish major in 2001. She completed a Dietetic Internship at UNC Greensboro in 2002 and then moved back to the Triangle. She has worked in both clinical and community settings for a myriad of clients but finds private counseling to be her niche. Her hardest yet most rewarding job to date is as a stay-at-home mom to her two children. Lynne values getting to know her patients in an outpatient setting and strives to impact long-lasting changes in their eating mentality and overall health.

Melissa Teague, Medical Assistant

Melissa Teague graduated from Central Community College in 2007 with a diploma in Medical Assisting, continuing her education she received an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in 2008. Melissa started working at Duke Primary Care Peak Family Medicine in 2008, meanwhile filling in when needed at Duke Primary Care Peak Weight Loss Clinic. Melissa joined the Peak Weight Loss Clinic team full time in 2010, and enjoys the work that she does. Melissa feels that working at Peak Weight Loss Clinic is very rewarding to do as a career and it makes her feel great to know she is helping change someone’s life for the better in so many ways. Melissa is also a success story she participated in one of the weight loss programs at Peak Weight Loss Clinic in 2009 and lost 38lbs! Besides working for Peak Weight Loss Clinic, Melissa stays very busy outside work being a full time mom, to her beautiful 5 yr old daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. During the summer months she enjoys swimming, going to the lake, riding jet skies, tubing, and having fun in the sun!

Michelle, Meidcal Assistant

Michelle is a Cary native that now lives in Apex. She has 4 children, twin 21 year-olds, a 17 year-old, and a 14 year old. She is a CMA with an Associate’s Degree in Medical Science. She loves meeting new people and helping them to achieve their goals. When Michelle is not working, she loves going to the beach and camping with her family. She also enjoys a good movie and dinner with her husband. Michelle assists both the Holly Springs and Apex locations.

Jessica, Medical Assistant

Appointments at Duke Primary Care Peak Weight Loss Clinic

To schedule an appointment at a location convenient to you, call our Apex clinic at 919-589-0990 or our Holly Springs clinic at 919-586-0031.