Our Staff
Covering Physician
John Dustin Sheppard, MD, FACEP
Dr. Sheppard was born in Mobile, AL and spent most of his childhood in Carrollton, AL about 40 miles from Tuscaloosa. He attended Samford University for 3 years and was accepted to the University of Alabama School of Medicine (UASOM). He spent his senior year of college here attending the University of Alabama. After medical school he completed a Categorical Internal Medicine Internship at Baptist Health Systems in Birmingham, AL. He then completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at LSU in Baton Rouge, LA. He returned to Tuscaloosa in 2007 and has been practicing locally providing care in the emergency department and urgent care setting. Over his time here he has been actively involved in medical education serving as the Chief Medical Officer for the Alabama Fire College overseeing the Paramedic and EMT training programs and in various roles with the University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences, UAB, Samford, and University of South Alabama with involvement in training fellows, residents, medical students, and nurse practitioner students.
He lives locally with his wife and their two sons. He is an active member of Riverwood Presbyterian Church serving as a Deacon since 2014. Hobbies include fishing, hunting, reading, and whatever his sons find entertaining at the moment.
Neil Honea, MD
Dr. Honea grew up in Birmingham and attended UAB from 1991-1995 for his undergraduate studies. He attended the University of South Alabama Medical School from 1995-1999. He completed a family medicine residency through the Selma UAB Family Medicine Residency program from 1999-2002. He had an outpatient family medicine practice for 6 years and then completed a fellowship in Hospitalist Medicine through the University of Alabama in 2008-2009. He worked as a Hospitalist at DCH Regional until 2015. Since 2015, he has been practicing in Reform, AL and joined Tuscaloosa Primary Care in October of 2019.
Megan Dillard, CRNP
Megan is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner who is joining Tuscaloosa Primary Care on a part-time basis. She works full time with Dr. Sheppard in another location. She grew up in Tuscaloosa and completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in August of 2013 at the University of Alabama. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing in December of 2015 at Samford University. She has worked in the primary care and urgent care setting since completing her training.
She lives locally with her husband and daughter and enjoys spending time with family and visiting Nick’s in the Sticks.
Paula Watkins, CRNP
Paula was born here in Tuscaloosa and spent her childhood in Northport. She attended the University of North Alabama for her BSN and later UAB where she completed a Dual-Specialty CRNP program in both Adult Primary Care and Women's Health in 2013. She has honed her skills working as a hospitalist in Wedowee, AL and in Gastroenterology in Birmingham and Anniston, AL.
She was thrilled to be able to return home to Northport in 2020 and joined Tuscaloosa Primary Care in May 2021.
She lives locally with her husband, daughter, and son and her hobbies include travel, reading, spending time on the lake, and keeping up with her children.
Clinic Manager
Melanie Tyler
Melanie was born and raised in Tuscaloosa. She has been married to her husband, Jon, for 5 years and they have three pets Major, Mack, and Moses. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and reading.
She graduated from the University of Alabama in 2010 with a degree in Elementary Education and taught first grade for one year. She decided to change her career path and pursue a degree in the medical field. She attended DCH Regional Medical Center's School of Radiologic Technology and graduated in 2015 with an Associates degree. After graduating, she began working at a local urgent care as a xray tech, medical assistant, and clinical manager.
Melanie says she “is excited to see what God has in store for her at Tuscaloosa Primary Care.”
Office Staff
Chelsey Walters
Chelsey was born and raised in Pickens County, Alabama. She has received 2 Associate in Applied Science degrees- Office Administration in 2006 and Paralegal Studies in 2009. After working in the legal field for 10 years she was led in a different direction and discovered a love of healthcare.
She has worked in a local urgent care clinic since March of 2017 as a receptionist, medical assistant and occupational health assistant.
She enjoys spending time with family and friends and her very sweet cat named Honey. Her hobbies are listening to country music, watching TV sitcoms, and reading. She is a member of First Free Will Baptist Church in Reform, Alabama.
Chelsey is “looking forward to the privilege of meeting and providing friendly, compassionate, care to the patients of Tuscaloosa Primary Care.”
Office Staff
Holly Burroughs
Holly grew up and has lived the majority of her life in Tuscaloosa and Northport. She is the proud mom of 2 children, Emily and Isaac. Piano is one of her many hobbies. She started playing the piano when she was 4 and took lessons up until she started studying music at Pensacola Christian College. Occasionally, she plays for weddings and special events.
Holly has worked in the medical field for approximately 15 years. Most of her experience has been as a receptionist but also has worked many other jobs within a Physicians office including: medical records, insurance billing and coding, office manager, and collections. She has experience working in Internal Medicine, Chiropractic, Pediatric, Primary Care and Urgent Care settings. She was absolutely thrilled to join Tuscaloosa Primary Care in September 2018.
Holly is excited about meeting you and seeing the growth at Tuscaloosa Primary Care.