Our Staff

Dr. Juan J. Alva, MD, FACP Dr. Alva is the present clinic director. He has been married for over 42 years and has seven children. He graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine at age 23. He then completed his internship and first year of internal medicine residency at the University Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He subsequently moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he completed his residency as well as a fellowship in Gastroenterology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. His former cheifs include Professor Thomas R. Hendrix, former president of the American Gastroenterological Association, as well as Marvin M. Schuster, for whom the motility labs at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center are named.
             Dr. Alva is a United States Army veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and he served as the Chief of Gatroenterology at Womack Army Hospital during the Gulf war in 1990 to 1991. Dr. Alva is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Gatroenterology. He is a fellow of American College of Physicians, and member of the Amercian Gatroenterologican Association, for which he is currently being nominated for fellowship. Most recently, Dr. Alva was inducted into the Eugene S. Mayer Community Service Honor Society at UNC Chapel Hill in February 2005.
             In addition to his duties as director of the clinic and as a member of several professional societies, Dr. Alva continues to actively pursue education and learning. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at UNC Chapel Hill and has a medical student in the clinic montly. He also attends weekly cardiology rounds at Duke Medical Center.

Mrs. Alva Mrs. Alva is a Partner to Dr. Alva both at home and at the clinic. She not only manages the business affairs of the clinic, but knows many of the patients, and always gives them a warm welcome.

Deborah A. Hilliard Debbie has over 30 years of experience as a nurse. She worked in Hematology, Cardiology, Orthopedics, and Internal Medicine before joining the Vickers Clinic in 1998. She takes vitals, performs and maintains the lab work at the clinic, and assists with Endoscopy procedures and Cardiac Stress Testing. Debbie has established long-term relationships with many of our patients and is an invaluable asset to the clinic.

Lisa Durham, Receptionist Lisa recently joined us in 2005. She brings a welcoming smile and over 7 years experience to the clinic. She provides new insight and ideas as the clinic continues to grow, and helps keep things running smoothly.