Our leadership team is comprised of dedicated professionals

Erik Ott, CFO
Chief Financial Officer

Erik Ott

Mr. Ott is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He has worked for Carolina Health Specialists for more than 25 years and currently serves on the Board of Directors since 2018.

Mr. Ott is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He has worked for Carolina Health Specialists for more than 25 years and currently serves on the Board of Directors since 2018. He also has volunteered his time over the years as Treasurer for the Myrtle Beach Track and Field club, recreational soccer coach, and Board member for local HOA board.
Joyce Hankins - Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer

Joyce Hankins

Ms. Hankins is a graduate of High Point University with a Bachelor in Business Administration with a focus in Economics. She has worked for Carolina Health Specialists for more than 25 years and currently serves on the Board of Directors.

Ms. Hankins is a graduate of High Point University with a Bachelor in Business Administration with a focus in Economics. She has worked for Carolina Health Specialists for more than 25 years and currently serves on the Board of Directors. Ms. Hankins is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the business, to include Human Resources, and HIPAA Compliance. Ms. Hankins is a member of the SC Medical Group Management Association, Society of Human Resource Management and serves on the advisory Boards of Miller Motte Technical College and Horry Georgetown Community College. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, boating and traveling.
Kari Vereen, Business Services Director
Business Services Director

Kari Vereen

Ms. Vereen is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Consumer Studies. She has worked for Carolina Health Specialists for more than 25 years.

Ms. Vereen is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Consumer Studies. She has worked for Carolina Health Specialists for more than 25 years. Ms. Vereen oversees the practice’s centralized call center, coding, claims and insurance follow up and patient billing. Ms. Vereen is an active member of the National Medical Group Management Association, a certified member of the American College of Medical Practice Executives and past President of the Coastal Chapter of the SC Medical Group Management Association. For fun, she enjoys time with her family and grandchildren and being outdoors cycling, walking along the beach and kayaking.
Tara Brown, HR Manager
Human Resources Manager

Tara Brown

Tara Brown is a graduate of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. She has worked in the field of Human Resources for 19 years, with 14 of those years being with Carolina Health Specialists.

Tara Brown is a graduate of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. She has worked in the field of Human Resources for 19 years, with 14 of those years being with Carolina Health Specialists. As the Human Resources Manager, Ms. Brown helps to direct the routine functions of Human Resources including hiring, benefits, leave administration, company policies and procedures, compliance, and oversees physician credentialing. She is also a certified Worker’s Compensation Counselor. Ms. Brown is a member of the Society for Human Resources, the Coastal Organization of Human Resources and serves on advisory boards for SCMA Member’s Insurance Trust and Miller Motte Technical College.
Carlos J. Perez-Leon
Director of Laboratory Services

Carlos J. Perez-Leon

Carlos J. Perez-Leon comes with many years of laboratory leadership. He has an extensive record of blending clinical experience with technological understanding to drive success.

Carlos J. Perez-Leon comes with many years of laboratory leadership. He has an extensive record of blending clinical experience with technological understanding to drive success.

Having served four years as Laboratory Manager at Rockville Internal Medicine Group, in Rockville, Maryland, he was responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of the clinical laboratory, including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, PCR, rapid tests, and reference laboratory specialties.

Previously, he was the Manager of Ancillary Services at Molina Healthcare in Reston, Virginia where he managed the operations of three laboratories. He successfully implemented a Lab Information System in order to transition the laboratories to paperless processes.

He then joined Inova Health System as the Manager of Laboratory Services in Reston, Virginia. Here, among other accomplishments, he added a retinal camera used to screen for diabetic retinopathy and developed a step-by-step process.

Carlos J. Perez-Leon, MS, MLT(ASCP)CM attended George Mason University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology and then earned his master’s degree in Technology Management.

Carlos J. Perez-Leon is an active member of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and is fluent in Spanish.