practitioners
AYMAN AROUSE MD, FAAP Dr. Arouse has been in practice for over 20 years. He received his medical degree from Tishreen University College of Medicine, Lattakia, Syria and completed his residency in pediatrics at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he also served an extra year as a chief resident. Dr. Arouse is board certified through the American Board of Pediatrics and is also a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. His professional interests include dermatology and mental health. He and his wife share three beautiful children and enjoy sports, traveling, and reading. 
MANDY GJONE MSN, FNP - BC A resident of Granbury since 2012, Mandy spent all of her upbringing in Georgia, where she attended Georgia Southern University in the city of Statesboro. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing, and has been serving in pediatric-centered healthcare since 1999. Before turning her focus to primary care, Mandy worked in pediatric endocrinology and intensive care, where she extended her reach to the most vulnerable. Along with treating all varieties of children’s needs at First Step Pediatrics, Mandy also specializes in lactation support for new mothers. She is licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing and holds her certification as a family nurse practitioner from the ANCC. 
GLENDA MARSH RN, MEd, CPNP Glenda came to First Step Pediatrics in 2011 as a seasoned pediatric nurse practitioner with more than forty years of experience. Originally from Angleton, she received her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Texas, Galveston, and her master's degree from the University of Houston. Along with her 29-year position in one of Lake Jackson's pediatric clinics, Glenda has also been a college instructor, an ER nurse, and a camp nurse, a role in which she still serves after 13 years. She is licensed by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners as well as the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), and the self-described embroidery loving, 'gray-haired grammy' says she "still love[s] this job and doing what God has called [her] to do!” 
TIM SCIFRES MPAS, PA - C Being a native to the Fort Worth area, Tim got his start in healthcare on the pharmacy side of medicine before turning to patient-centered care. He attended the University of North Texas, where he majored in science and minored in both chemistry and Spanish. Prior to earning a master’s degree in physician’s assistant studies from UNT’s Health Sciences Center, Tim served as a Peace Corp volunteer in Peru and speaks Spanish fluently. He also gained experience in orthopedic oncology and pain management before turning his focus to pediatric primary care. Tim has been practicing as a physician’s assistant since 2014, and is licensed by the Texas Medical Board, as well as the NCCPA. 
DARCI LAMONTAGNE MSN, RN, CPNP Before settling in Texas, Darci moved between several states as a result of being raised in a military family. She received her nursing degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and then moved to north Texas in 2007 to pursue higher education from the University of Texas at Arlington. She worked in pediatric dermatology at Children’s Health in Dallas, and after spending ten years there considers dermatology her specialty. At First Step Pediatrics she can treat skin infections (bacterial, fungal, and viral) alongside the usual needs that may bring your child through our doors. She is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) and has been practicing since 2007. 
MANDY LUNA MSN, FNP - BC Throughout her career of more than twenty years, Mandy has gained experience in many areas of healthcare: the ER, ICU, the cardiac catheterization lab, as well as hyperbaric medicine. She grew up in the small town of Tahoka (south of Lubbock), and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Angelo State University. She would go on to gain a master’s in nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler, and maintains her certification from the ANCC as a family nurse practitioner. Mandy says she believes in being an advocate for children and in providing the best quality of care possible. She has lived in Cleburne together with her large family since 2007, and is licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing. 
ASHLEY WALDROP MPAS, PA - C, IBCLC Born in Stillwater, Oklahoma but raised in Texas, Ashley's start in healthcare began in her home state with a bachelor's degree in nutrition / pre-med from Oklahoma State University. In 2015 she earned her master's degree in PA studies from University of North Texas and became licensed by the Texas Medical Board as a physician assistant. She specializes in newborn care and lactation support, but with two young children of her own, she easily empathizes with parental concerns. "My oldest was born at 32 weeks and spent one month in the NICU," she states, "and my youngest was admitted with RSV at six-months-old. I have a deep passion for taking care of children, and would feel privileged to provide medical care to yours!" 
MICHELLE NARANJO MSN, RN, FNP - C Michelle’s career as a nurse began in her hometown of Corpus Christi, where she attended Del Mar College and received her associate’s degree in nursing. She would go on to earn her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington, which started her career in primary care. Prior to joining First Step Pediatrics, Michelle worked in neuro intensive care, as well as oncology. She is fluent in Spanish, and is licensed by both the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners along with the Texas Board of Nursing. As a mother herself, Michelle personally identifies with the worry parents go through regarding their children’s health, which has developed her deep heart for treating our youngest population. 
JOANNE WEBSTER MSN, RN, FNP - C After serving more than twenty years in the NICU as a registered nurse, JoAnne made the leap to nurse practitioner and became certified through the AANP. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Harding University and the University of Texas at Arlington respectively, and she is a native to north Texas. In fact, the majority of her career has been in the DFW area with only a couple of years spent in the state of Virginia. Outside our clinic JoAnne enjoys reading and working in her vegetable garden. She is a mother to three sons, so she wants her patients to know that she "will treat each patient like I want my own children treated." Office staff
SIMONE AROUSE Director of Operations Simone graduated from Carlow University of Pittsburgh with her bachelor's degree of nursing in 1998. Subsequently, she joined Magee-Womens Hospital of University of Pittsburgh as an OBGYN nurse, then transitioned to outpatient pediatrics until moving to Cleburne in 2010. Alongside her husband, the two established First Step Pediatrics that year, in which she first served in the role of Office Manager. In 2015 she transitioned to the role of Director of Operations. 
FAITH TORRES Office Manager Faith has been serving First Step Pediatrics as the Office Manager since 2015. Alongside the many responsibilities she fulfills regarding our employees, Faith also leads our office in customer service and patient satisfaction. That is to say, if our front desk staff is not able to address your questions or needs, Faith is glad to assist. She became a Certified Medical Assistant in 2007, but simultaneously co-owned two successful businesses in the convenience store industry. She speaks Arabic fluently, and along with her husband and eight children, enjoys traveling the world, camping, fishing, and hiking. She loves watching basketball, and watching her children train in jiu jitsu and boxing.
Dr. Arouse is credentialed with Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital of Cleburne.
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