Affinia Healthcare
Family Medicine
Residency Program

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Program Highlights

COMMUNITY-BASED CURRICULUM
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FOCUS ON WELLNESS
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RESIDENT BENEFITS
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PROGRAM CONTACT
residency@affiniahealthcare.org

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Program Leadership

Dr. Kenneth Hemba

Program Director

Email: khemba@affiniahealthcare.org

Dr. Hemba is a board-certified Family Medicine physician. He earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and completed his residency at Jefferson Family Medicine Residency, both in Philadelphia, PA. Passionate about teaching and mentoring future family physicians, he practices prenatal care, obstetric deliveries, hospitalist medicine, and opioid use disorder treatment. Dr. Hemba lives in St. Louis with his wife, two children, and a 300-gallon reef aquarium.

Dr. Kristia Abernathy

Core Faculty
A North St. Louis County native, Dr. Abernathy earned her biology degree from Xavier University of Louisiana before obtaining her Doctor of Medicine from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, graduating with distinction in Community Service. She completed her residency at the Southern Illinois University Center for Family Medicine. Her passion for family medicine and dedication to community health make her an invaluable part of our team.

Dr. Alexa Arastoo

Core Faculty
Dr. Arastoo brings a unique and diverse background to our team. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Honors English with a focus on Creative Writing from the University of Notre Dame before completing her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, MO. She trained at the Community-Based Family Medicine Residency at the Texas Institute for Graduate Medical Education and Research (TIGMER) in San Antonio, TX. Fluent in conversational Spanish, she is committed to patient-centered, inclusive care.

Dr. Mihiret Belihu

Core Faculty
Dr. Belihu earned her medical degree from the University of Gondar in Ethiopia and completed her Family Medicine residency at Mercy Family Medicine in St. Louis, MO. She also holds a diploma from the Institute for International Medicine and Public Health. Fluent in English and Amharic, Dr. Belihu specializes in comprehensive primary care, with a focus on women’s health.

Dr. Dorothy Charles

Core Faculty

Dr. Charles received her bachelor’s degree in molecular biology with a minor in neuroscience from Princeton University and her medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her residency in family medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, where she was on the OB/Women’s Health track. Dr. Charles practices women’s health and non-surgical obstetrics in addition to primary care for adults and children of all ages. When not at work, you can find her, her husband, and their son visiting the St. Louis Zoo or going on a road trip! 

Laura Bush, M.H.A.

Program Coordinator

Laura Bush is a resident of North St. Louis County with a commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for the community. As an Affinia champion for over a decade, Laura has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the organization’s mission and values. Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in health administration. In her leisure time, she enjoys acrylic painting and engaging in various arts and crafts.