Meet the AFC Denver Team

Education:

• BSEE at University of Regensburg, Germany
• MBA at University of Kempten, Germany.

Darius is a result-driven leader, focuses on pursuing a clear vision. His passion is to work with motivated and talented people and to help them reach their goals.

He was a founder and Co-founder of several companies across different industries. At 2012, Darius decided to switch to the healthcare industry by purchasing franchise licenses from American Family Care. Since then Darius and his wife, Shay, are growing their business to one of the biggest AFC franchisees in the nation.

In his spare time, he enjoys downhill skiing, biking and he recently started playing tennis. His motto is to work hard and play hard and follows the ancient proverb of “a sound mind in a sound body”.

His wife, Shay, loves to cook and he is a big fan of her meals. They spend most of their evening enjoying a homemade dinner and Darius, of course, in charge of the dishes.

Shay Kerman serves as president and chief operating officer of Urgent Care Solutions, dba AFC Urgent Care, a healthcare company with over 100 employees in Denver, overseeing the strategic and operational activities. She is experienced in operating outpatient clinics with a demonstrated history of working in a wide range of different industries.

Currently at Urgent Care Solutions, she is providing quality healthcare in communities and helping people be better healthcare users. Before starting her healthcare company, she worked in other industries such as engineering and education. She has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from PolyTechnic University and an MBA from Kempten University. She enjoys working on strategic, tactical, and operational growth of companies and has helped many companies and nonprofits that need consultation.

Shay is interested in the variations and commonalities of how some of today’s most complex healthcare challenges are experienced across the continuum of care. She believes healthcare is a human right. She works with various organizations in building and implementing clinical outreaches to some of the most remote villages in Africa. She has worked with project C.U.R.E and Maranatha’s medical team in building satellite clinics and offering outpatient services in Ghana and Zambia.

Shay has a strong background in leadership, operations, strategic planning, and performance improvement in a wide range of company environments and high paced growth-oriented organizations.

Medical Education: University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio

Degree/Specialty: MD/ Family Medicine

Residency History: Houston Methodist Hospital Family Medicine Residency

Fun facts like hobbies, family, etc: Born in Taiwan, grew up in New Jersey. Keep 50+ turtles, frogs, toads, and grow carnivorous plants. Love snowboarding, scuba-diving, and exploring good eats.

Educational background:

BA at Miami University, Oxford OH MD at University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo OH

Residency in Emergency Medicine at New York-Presbyterian Queens, Flushing NY

Board certified in Emergency Medicine

I’ve worked in various emergency departments in addition to working with Medecins San Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders).

Interests/hobbies:

I enjoy cooking, listening to music (specifically new wave, punk rock, rockabilly and alt-country), watching sci-fi/action movies from the 80s, gardening, and dancing at weddings. I love all things Art Deco and the American West. I love coffee and craft beer. I’ve been called the “Indian Uncle Jesse”. I have a strange fascination with UFOs. Bruce Springsteen is my hero.

Emma Gladson: DNP, FNP-BC

Education background

• BSN – Regis University Denver, Co (2012)
• MSN – Regis University Denver, Co (2017)
• DNP – Regis University Denver, Co (2019)

Emma has been in healthcare since 2012. She is a Colorado Native and loves everything about Colorado.In her spare time, Emma enjoys spending time with her husband hiking, skiing, traveling and hanging out with her cat, Otis. Emma has completed 27 of the Colorado 14ers and has hopes to complete all of them one day.

Medical Education: Bachelor's of Science of Nursing 2008, Master's of Science of Nursing 2012

Degree/Specialty: Family Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified

Residency History: University of Colorado, Frontier Nursing University

Fun facts like hobbies, family, etc: I worked numerous hours at Chili's Restaurant to pay my own way through school! I love my career and helping people. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and two adorable frenchies. My husband and I have traveled to 18 countries!

Medical Education: Vanderbilt University School of nursing

Degree/Specialty: Master of Nursing, Family specialty

Residency History: Worked in Chicago for a year before moving to Denver, CO. Worked 4yrs in primary care prior to this job.

Fun facts like hobbies, family, etc: I like to rock climb

Medical Education: University of Arizona College of Nursing

Degree / Specialty: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner (2014), Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (2013)

Residency History: University of Arizona DNP Family Nurse Practitioner Residency/Preceptorship Program

Fun facts like hobbies, family, etc:

Activities I enjoy include running, snowboarding, camping, scuba diving, checking out local breweries, and exploring Denver with my Wife and 2 dogs.

Medical Education: Creighton University School of Medicine.

Degree:MD Medical Doctorate

Residency: Washington University in St. Louis at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Chief Resident.

Fun Facts: Born and raised in Denver. I love to travel, I have my Captains License for sailing. I have been to over 40 countries and counting.

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science

Physician Assistant Studies

Enjoys used book stores, urban walking, travel

Medical Education: Jefferson Medical College

Degree/Specialty: MD/Emergency Medicine

Residency History: University of Florida

Fun facts like hobbies, family, etc: Interests include: Ice Hockey, Corduroy, Mick Jagger circa 1976

Undergrad at NC State University. PA school at Methodist university.

Degree MMS PA-C. Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine.

Camping, hiking, hanging out with friends and family and my dog Ozzie.

Educational Background: Bachelors from Stanford University in Stanford, CA: Human Biology Degree specializing in “The Spiritual and Psychological Aspects of the Human Athlete.”

Medical Education: Masters from Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA: Masters in Physician Assistant Studies.

Physical Therapy Aid prior with a focus on sports medicine/injuries.

Fun Facts: X-professional soccer player, love skiing, all-day mountaineering/hikes, back-country skiing, ice climbing, painting and drawing classes, reading all types of spiritual books, and spending time with my family,my step children, and friends.

Medical Education: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Degree/Specialty: Master of Science in Health Sciences, Physician Assistant Studies with a background in Emergency Medicine.

Hobbies: I love practicing yoga, live music, craft beer, reading psychological thrillers, anything outdoors especially hiking, exploring national parks, boondocking, and spending time with family, friends, and my dog Banks.

Educational Background: Masters in Physician Assistant studies from Touro College School of Health Sciences in Bay Shore, NY.

Specialty: Worked in both Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine for 7 years prior to starting with AFC Urgent Care.

Fun facts: I grew up on a free-range dairy farm in upstate NY.
I have led a wilderness adventure camp for teens for many years.
When not at work I’m likely exploring the Colorado mountains and seeking solitude either on my mountain bike, foot, or skis.

Medical Education: Physcian Assistant School at Indiana State University, College College of Health and Human Services. Undergraduate studies at Purdue Univeristy, College of Health and Human Sciences.

Degree/ Specialty: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. I practiced Emergency Medicine for 3 years in the Chicagoland area prior to joining the AFC team in 2020.

Fun Facts: I enjoy spending my free time outdoors hiking, backpacking, and skiing. My fiance and our new puppy enjoy exploring Denver and spending time with family and friends.

Medical Education: Quinnipiac University

Degree/Specialty: Family Nurse Practitioner

Residency History:

Fun facts like hobbies, family, etc: originally from Brazil and recently moved from CT to Denver. I spend my time skiing, mountain biking, hiking, camping and floating on a paddleboard.

Fun facts like hobbies, family, etc: My husband and I spend most weekends adventuring the state by hiking, waterfall hunting, or finding a new trail to off road on. I have four small dogs that I try to bring with on every adventure. If it’s not Packers season (Go Pack Go!) or we are not hiking, we are on a search for the next beer festival!

Ashlee, a Georgia native, has made Colorado her home since 2017, bringing her expertise from CCGA, where she earned her degree in Radiologic Sciences. Starting as an x-ray tech and medical assistant, she advanced to Regional Director over the past three years. Alongside her professional achievements, Ashlee completed her bachelor’s degree and juggles family life with her husband and two children. Although she enjoys the Colorado scenery, she often finds herself daydreaming of the Georgia warmth and sunshine. In her downtime, Ashlee loves planning family adventures and finding ways to infuse a bit of Southern charm into her Colorado life.

Katie is excited to be part of the AFC family. With over 20 years of healthcare experience, Katie brings many years of skill and leadership to the team. Her first job was pasting provider dictations into paper charts. Since she has gone on to receive her Medical Assistant certification and a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration, She has worked in various capacities in family practice, urgent care, and cardiology to name a few. Her passion for helping people extends beyond patients to include those she works with as well. Her goals include obtaining her master’s degree and working in a senior leadership position. In her free time, she enjoys being with her large family and spending time outdoors.