Our Providers

Interventional Radiologist

Dr. Paul R. Butros

Having received extensive training at some of the country’s most prestigious institutions for vascular care, Dr. Paul Butros completed his residency at Wayne State University before finishing his fellowships at Harvard Medical School and Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, respectively. Today, with more than a decade’s worth of experience, he is dual board-certified in: Diagnostic Radiology and Vascular and Interventional Radiology. Dr. Butros is known for treating every patient with compassionate care and individualized attention. He offers his expertise for a wide variety of conditions that require both minimally invasive treatments and advanced endovascular methods. When not working directly with patients, Dr. Butros has participated in the advancement of vascular care by both authoring and co-authoring medical articles, participating as the lead investigator of clinical trials, and speaking at both national and international vascular conferences.

Vascular Surgeon

Fredrick N. Southern, M.D., a native of Kansas City, Kansas, attended Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. He went on to medical school, was selected for an Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship, and graduated as a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Kansas. A general surgery internship was completed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in 1988, followed by a two-year duty assignment as Medical Department Head on the USS Seattle (AOE 3). During this time, he deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean.

Dr. Southern completed a five-year general surgery residency at Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine in Norfolk, VA, and became board certified in General Surgery. He then served a two-year duty assignment as Ship’s Surgeon aboard the USS George Washington (CVN 73), with another deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf regions. He was selected for a vascular fellowship and completed a two-year training program at the University of Arkansas. He became board certified in Vascular Surgery and was later recertified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Vascular Surgery.

Following his vascular surgery fellowship, he served as a staff vascular surgeon at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. He completed additional mini-fellowship training in endovascular surgery at the Arizona Heart Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. During his time at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, he served as Department Head and Vascular Laboratory Medical Director, except when he was Director of Surgical Services for 20 departments. In 2005, Dr. Southern also deployed as the Task Force Surgeon, responsible for all medical assets and activities in the Horn of Africa region based out of Djibouti, Africa. He retired from the Navy as a Captain with 23 years of service.

Physician Assistant

Carol F. Benson

Carol brings over three decades of clinical experience and a deep dedication to patient care in the fields of cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, and interventional radiology. She earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, from Greensboro College, and later graduated from The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences with a Bachelor’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies.

For the past 20+ years, she has focused exclusively on interventional radiology, providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care across a wide range of specialties, including vascular, oncology, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and gynecologic conditions.

Carol is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).

Outside the clinic, Carol enjoys classical music, gardening, and canning homegrown produce. She lives in Virginia with her husband and their Border Collie, Charlie. Their two young adult children are forging their own paths in the world.

Physician Assistant

Hunter Gagnon

Hunter is a Physician Assistant from Dallas, Texas. He graduated from South University Richmond with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (Class of 2025). He also holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, where he first developed a deep interest in human health and science.

Hunter is passionate about patient-centered care and is committed to supporting individuals and families as they navigate complex vascular health needs. He brings a fresh perspective, strong clinical training, and a dedication to lifelong learning.

Outside the clinic, Hunter enjoys competitive strategy games, from Magic: The Gathering to MMOs and indie platformers, finding parallels between thoughtful gameplay and the critical problem-solving skills he brings to patient care.

Nurse Practitioner

Alysha Knapp

Alysha Knapp is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Longwood University and her Master’s degree from Old Dominion University. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice and is expected to graduate in May 2027.

Alysha’s experience includes providing comprehensive care in acute and critical care settings, working with diverse populations, and collaborating across various specialties. She is dedicated to delivering compassionate care, building trusting relationships with her patients, and supporting them in addressing their health concerns and achieving their healthcare goals.

In her free time, Alysha enjoys traveling, visiting different coffee shops, watching football, and spending time with family and friends.

Physician Assistant

Renny J. Stocum

Renny J. Stocum, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant with over 20 years of experience across surgical subspecialties, including neurosurgery, interventional radiology, vascular surgery, orthopedic, and general surgery. He has a proven track record in evaluating and managing patients in hospital, outpatient, emergency, and operating room settings, and is skilled in first assisting for complex surgical procedures.

Renny earned his B.S. in Physician Assistant Studies from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and an A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology from Broome Community College in Binghamton, New York. He is certified in ATLS and BLS, and his extensive, multidisciplinary experience enables him to provide expert, patient-centered care with a focus on surgical excellence and optimal outcomes. Throughout his career, Renny has remained committed to continuous learning and delivering the highest standard of care.

Outside of the clinic, Renny enjoys cooking, fishing, watching MMA and football, and spending quality time with family and friends.