
Dr. Dennis Mojares
Practicing Urgent Care in Walk In Medical/Family First Urgent Care since 1981
Past Experience:
- General Surgery & Emergency Medicine
- Celebrating 50 Years of Practicing Medicine, 2013
- Prior President, Foundation of Philippine American Medical Society
- Past Medical Director ER, Overlook Hospital
- Prior Member NJ Medical Society
Education
- University of Santo Tomas, School of Medicine
- Residency – Newark Beth Israel Medicine Center, General Surgery, Vasular Surgery, Transplant Surgery

Dr. Richard Mojares, FAAP, FACP
Practicing Urgent Care since 2002
Accomplishments:
- Dual Board Certified, Internal Medicine & Pediatrics
- Assist Clinical Professor: UMDNJ/Rutgers-NJ Medical School
- Staff Privileges: Monmouth Medical & Jersey Shore Medical Center
- Previous Vice President, Medical Staff, Healthsouth Rehab Hosp
- Previous Medical Director, ARC of Monmouth
- Clinical Preceptor: NJ Medical School, Monmouth Univ, Rutgers Univ, Preceptor of the Year, Monmouth Univ School of Nursing 2015
- Voted Jersey Choice Top Doctor by New Jersey Monthly Magazine 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019
- School physician for Monmouth Regional High School, Red Bank Regional High School and Oceanport
Education:
- St. George’s University School of Medicine
- Residency – UMDNJ – NJ Medical School – Combined Internal Medicine & Pediatrics; Chief Resident – Internal Medicine

Dr. Gregg Mojares
Emergency Room Doctor since 2006
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ
- Named New Jersey’s “Top Doctor” in Emergency Medicine by New Jersey Monthly Magazine, November 2013
- Assistant Clinical Instructor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- Received ‘Patients’ Choice Award’ in 2013
- Voted Jersey Choice Too Doctor by New Jersey Monthly Magazine 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017
Education:
- The University of Health Sciences, Kansas City, MO
- The George Washington University, Washington, DC
- Residency – Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Emergency Medicine; Chief Resident

Dr. William Downs, FACOEP
Emergency Room Doctor since 1999.
- Associate Director, Monmouth Medical Center ED; has been there since 1999
Past Experience:
- Ocean Medical Center, Emergency Room Doctor, Brick, NJ
- Capital Health Emergency Room Doctor, Trenton, NJ
Education:
- Graduated NY College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Graduated Seton Hall University, NJ
- Residency – Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Emergency Medicine; Chief Resident
Physician Assistants at Family First Urgent Care

Katy Almeida M.S. PA-C
Graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Language and International Health. Attended Arcadia University with a Master’s of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies. She has 2 years of experience in orthopedics and over 4 years experience in urgent care. Previously to working at Urgent Care, Elizabeth worked at an emergency room for 4 years.

Lindsay L. Gannon M.S. PA-C
Graduate of Rutgers University 2004, with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Received a Master Physician Assistant 2008 from Seton Hall University
Has 6.5 years of ER experience at JFK hospital and more than a year of urgent care experience

Melissa A. Monaghan M.S. PA-C
Graduate of Monmouth University 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Chemistry
Attended Seton Hall University Graduate School for Physician Assistant 2008 and received a Master of Science in Physician Assistant
Has eight years of emergency medicine experience at Monmouth Medical Center Emergency and Bayshore Medical Center
Is currently also on staff at Monmouth Medical Center

Elizabeth Olson M.S. PA-C
Graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Language and International Health. Attended Arcadia University with a Master’s of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Previously to working at Urgent Care, Elizabeth worked at an emergency room for 4 years.

Andrea Wieder, BSN, MSN-FNP
Andrea graduated from Simmons College with her bachelors degree in nursing in 2008. She worked for 7 years in acute care in the Washington, DC area. Andrea was ready to advance her career and opted to go back to school to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and received her degree from the Catholic University of America. She graduated in 2016 and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing. Since then, Andrea has been providing care to patients at both our Oakhurst and Toms River locations.

Carley Palmer M.S. PA-C
Carley is a graduate of Seton Hall University, where she completed both a Bachelors of Science in Biology, as well as a Masters of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies. She has been on staff at Family First Urgent care since May 2018. She is on staff at St. Peter’s University Hospital in the Emergency Department, and is an adjunct instructor at Seton Hall University.
- What is a Physician Assistant?
- A PA is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional with post graduate education. They practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician. (American Academy of Physician Assistants)
- What is a Nurse Practitioner?
- A nurse practitioner is a specialized nurse who has completed a masters or doctorate program and has advanced clinical training. NPs practice medicine with a collaborating physician. (American Association of Nurse Practitioners)
All of our Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners are the best in their fields. They have been hand selected by Dr. Richard Mojares and have graduated from an array of top universities as well as multiple years of experience working in top medical institutions and hospitals in multiple areas of healthcare.
Both PAs and NPs can:
- Take medical history
- Conduct physical exams
- Diagnose and treat illnesses
- Order and interpret tests
- Develop treatment plans
- Counsel on preventative care
- Assist in surgery
- Write prescriptions
- Make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes