MEET OUR MEDICAL ASSOCIATES OF VICKSBURG TEAM

We make it easy to find the right provider for you. Learn about our team members and their education, training, and special interests. Get to know us!

Paul W. Pierce III, MD

Paul W. Pierce, Ill, MD specialized in Internal Medicine. He graduated from University of MS Medical Center in 1972 and he did his internship & residency from 1972-1975 at the University of MS Medical Center Department of Internal Medicine. He was a member of the American Medical Association and the MS State Medical Association.

He was born in Oxford, MS and moved to Vicksburg at a young age. He is married to Patricia Hand Pierce. They have two sons that are also physicians.

Dr. Pierce started his practice in Vicksburg in 1975 with the Vicksburg Clinic and then with Medical Associates of Vicksburg in 2008.

Dr. Pierce Ill had active duty with the US Army Corp of Engineers from 1963-1965. He received an honorable discharge with final rank of Captain. 1963-1971 he worked as an engineer with the US Army Corp of Engineers.

Dr. Paul Pierce Ill was the founder of Medical Associates of Vicksburg in 2008.

Samuel Pierce, MD

Samuel L. Pierce, MD specializes in Internal Medicine. He graduated from the University of MS Medical Center in 2009 and went on to do his residency at the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of MS Medical Center, finishing in 2012. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and also the American Association of Medical Review Officers since 2020.

He was born in Vicksburg, MS and is married to Kellie Wright Pierce, and they have three sons. He has been in practice in Vicksburg since 2012 at Medical Associates of Vicksburg. He is affiliated with Merit Health River Region and Promise Specialty Hospital.

Baleigh Ford, PA-C

Baleigh Ford is a board-certified Physician Assistant, credentialed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure. A native of Enterprise, Mississippi, Baleigh has been

dedicated to both academic and athletic excellence from an early age.

She began her collegiate journey at Pearl River Community College, where she excelled as a standout softball player. During her two-year career, she earned All-State and All-Region 23 honors and contributed to a State Championship victory. In

recognition of her athletic achievements, Baleigh was named PRCC Female Athlete of the Year in 2010 and was later inducted into the PRCC Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

Baleigh continued her education at the University of Southern Mississippi, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. Upon graduation in 2013, she was honored as one of the top ten students in her field. She went on to

earn her Master of Science in Medicine from Mississippi College in 2015.

Since completing her education, Baleigh has been proudly serving patients at Medical Associates of Vicksburg. Her dedication and compassionate care have earned her widespread recognition, including being named The Vicksburg Post’s "Best of the Best

Physician Assistant" from 2015 to 2021.

Baleigh is married to Britt Ford, and together they have three children: Beckham, Brynleigh, and Blaize. The Ford family are active members of First Baptist Church Vicksburg.

Baleigh is currently accepting new patients, offering both primary care and acute care services.

Morgan Caulfield, PA-C

Morgan Caulfield is a Physician Assistant for Dr. Samuel Pierce. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2010 with a Bachelors of Arts in History. Morgan earned his Masters of Science in Medicine from Mississippi College Physician Assistant Program in 2018. He is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. In his spare time he enjoys being able to travel home to Florida to visit with family, is an avid college sports and football fan, and enjoys historical readings of Colonial America in his spare time.

Joseph W. Blackston, MD, JD, FACP

Dr. Blackston is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and boasts over 30 years of experience in Internal and Emergency Medicine. "Dr. B" has two (2) bachelor of science degrees, a Medical Degree, and Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Mississippi. Dr. B completed his residency at Tulane in New Orleans before moving to Jackson to establish his practice in Internal Medicine in addition to serving on the teaching staff at UMMC. We are proud to welcome him to the Medical Associates family.

Dr. Blackston currently lives in Jackson with his wife, Lyndsey, who works as a healthcare and small business attorney, and their greyhounds, rescue cats, and horses. If he isn't spending his free time outside working in the yard, he enjoys traveling and Ole Miss Football.

Megann Price Dees, PA-C

Megann Price Dees is a Physician Assistant, a member of the 2022 Mississippi College graduating class. She is originally from Mobile, AL where she graduated with a Bachelors in Biomedical Sciences from the University of South Alabama. In preparation for PA school, she volunteered at a Family Medicine clinic for uninsured adults and also worked in wound care in the Jackson area.

When she isn’t at the clinic, she’s at the farm with her husband, dog, cat, and horses. She travels any chance she gets, especially out west where she has found a new love for fly fishing.

She and her husband reside in Clinton and hope to stay here long term.

Heather Anderson, PA-C

Heather is a Physician Assistant for Dr. Daniel Edney. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, with a Bachelor of Science in biology in 2010. Heather earned a Masters of Medical Science from Mississippi College and then completed her Master of Science in Medicine from the Mississippi College Physician Assistant program in 2015. She is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Heather is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and she is on the board of directors for the Mississippi Academy of Physician Assistants. She has worked as part of the medical ministry through FBC Vicksburg, caring for those who are less fortunate, and has done medical missions in Honduras as well. Heather and her family reside in Vicksburg. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and attending sporting events.

Olatunji Oluwatade, MD

Olatunji Oluwatade, MD is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease. He received his Doctor of Medicine from Obafemi Awolowo University In Nigeria in 1987. In 2003 he received his Master’s in Public Health-Epidemiology at George Washington University, Washington, D.C. From 2003-2006 he completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. In 2009 he completed his Infectious Disease fellowship at the University of MS Medical Center.

He was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States in 1995. He is married to Modupeola Oluwatade. They have one son and one daughter. He has been practicing in Vicksburg since 2009 with River Region Medical Center and then with Medical Associates of Vicksburg since 2015. He is affiliated with Merit Health Central, Select Specialty, Merit Health River Region and Promise Specialty.

Amanda Gill, CFNP

Amanda is a Family Nurse Practitioner, board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and licensed by the Mississippi Board of Nursing working with Dr. Olatunji Oluwatde. She specializes in Infectious Disease. She worked as a Registered Nurse for 12 years and obtained her Master’s degree in Nursing Science from Walden University. She was nominated one of the top Nurse Practitioners by the International Nurses Association. She is now accepting new patients for both family practice and infectious disease. Amanda is married to James Gill of Redwood, MS. They have four children.

Marika Simmons, PA-C

Marika Simmons is a Physician Assistant for Dr. Joseph Blackston. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mississippi College in 2015 with a Bachelors of Science in Biology Medical Sciences. Marika earned her Masters of Science in Medicine from Mississippi College Physician Assistant Program in 2019. She is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Marika, her husband, and their daughter currently live in Clinton and plan to stay here long term. In her spare time, Marika enjoys traveling with her family.

Caitlin Copes, FNP

Caitlin is a Family Nurse Practitioner, board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and licensed by the Mississippi Borad of Nursing and Louisiana Board of Nursing. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Nursing Science from Northwestern State University in 2017. She became certified to administer cosmetic injections in 2018. She is now accepting new patients for family practice. Caitlin, her husband, and their daughter live in Louisiana.