photos by: JODIE BRIM CREATIVE
While every stage of a woman’s life brings new joys and challenges, each phase is immensely personal. As women, we know nothing soothes the mind and soul like an open, honest relationship with your healthcare provider, and that’s a truth Hawthorne Obstetrics & Gynecology has lived by since its inception.
Generations of Winston-Salem women have trusted their expertise and welcoming family atmosphere, along with their commitment to the highest quality personalized care. Hawthorne providers may very well be currently delivering babies for mothers they also delivered – the amazing circle of life!
Founder Dr. Richard E. Hedrick, Jr. began this journey at his solo practice in 1983, focusing on obstetrics and gynecology, gradually adding board-certified physicians, physician assistants, nurses, sonographers and support staff through the years. You’ll find state-of-the-art technology but always with a comforting touch.
Dr. Kerri R. Scherer, who has been treating patients here since 2003, was drawn to the field when she realized the impact she could have on women during key life moments.
“This is a very privileged job,” explains Dr. Scherer. “It’s such a blessing to be present with women during their happiest times – such as pregnancy and labor – but also during difficult times such as miscarriages and cancer diagnoses. I love that I’m able to follow my patients throughout various stages of their lives.”
Hawthorne OBGYN sees you through family planning, gynecological care, diagnostics and treatments, and performs several in-office surgeries for your convenience, so you can get the care you need and be back to doing what you love. Providers balance thoroughly treating patients with maintaining a comforting atmosphere – and that keeps families coming back, generation after generation. They also serve the community at both North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center.
Meet the Heart of Hawthorne OBGYN
Anthony L. Masciello, MD, FACOG
Originally from Tampa, FL, Anthony L. Masciello joined the team in 1994, after graduating summa cum laude from Mercer University and receiving his medical degree in 1985 from the University of South Florida. He completed his residency at the University of Florida Health Science Center Jacksonville in 1989, then served in the National Health Service Corps, providing care for disadvantaged patients in Fort Myers, FL. He has served as Division Director at Forsyth Medical Center and Medical Park Hospital. An avid runner, Dr. Masciello dedicates time to volunteering with Hands of Hope NC, a local mission group providing care in the Dominican Republic. He enjoys time with his wife, Gena, and their adult children and is proud his son and daughter have also chosen to care for others as physicians.
Kerri R. Scherer, MD, FACOG
Born while her father was in the military in Stuttgart, Germany, Kerri R. Scherer moved several times before coming to North Carolina in 1990 to attend Duke University. She graduated with honors with a B.S. in biology, and both medical school and residency training were completed at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. She graduated first in her medical school class, was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and received Excellence Awards from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Medical Women’s Association. As Chief Administrative Resident, she was honored to receive several teaching awards and was selected as Resident of the Year in 2003 – the same year she joined Hawthorne. She became Board Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2005, and in 2007, became a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Her area of interest is adolescent care, high-risk obstetrics, laparoscopic surgery and infertility. Dr. Scherer and her husband have two daughters.
Christopher Thompson, MD, FACOG
Christopher Aaron Thompson grew up in Bristol, VA and graduated with distinction from The University of Virginia where he earned a degree in biochemistry. Dr. Thompson received his medical degree from The University of Virginia School of Medicine, where he served as a member of the Admissions Committee, and then completed his internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at North Carolina Baptist Hospital. He became certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2008. He enjoys playing tennis, wakeboarding and spending time with his wife and two daughters.
Ray M. Braquet, MD, FACOG
A native of New Orleans, LA, Ray M. Braquet earned a B.S. in biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of New Orleans. Dr. Braquet received his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 2004, and completed his internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. In his chief year of residency, he was honored to receive the Clinical Teaching Award for 2008. Dr. Braquet joined Hawthorne OBGYN in August of 2008. He enjoys mountain biking and camping with his wife in his free time.
Katelyn Simmons, MD
Katelyn Simmons is a native of Houma, LA and earned an undergraduate degree in 2014 in biological sciences from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She then attended LSU Medical School in Shreveport, LA where she earned her medical degree in 2018, receiving an award for excellence in OBGYN and completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, earning distinction in laparoscopic surgery in 2021. She enjoys cooking, being outdoors, playing tennis and spending time with her husband and her dog.
Jill Smith, NP-C
Born in Hollywood, FL, Jill Smith moved to Winston-Salem in 1999, and earned her associate in applied science degree in nursing from Forsyth Technical Community College in 2012. As a labor and delivery nurse at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, she earned her B.S. in nursing at Western Governor’s University in 2015. She was an honor graduate with a master of science degree in nursing focusing on Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner in 2018 from South University and is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. She joined the practice in November of 2018. Jill enjoys finding new adventures and spending time with her family.
Jennifer Santos, NP-C
Originally from Kansas, Jennifer Santos graduated from Baylor University with a B.S. in nursing in 1999 and came to Winston-Salem in 2004. She worked at Forsyth Medical Center and Wake Forest Baptist in labor and delivery as well as Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and Duke University OBGYN clinic. After 22 years of experience as a women’s health nurse, primarily in obstetrics, labor and delivery, and high-risk pregnancies, she received her masters of science in nursing from Chamberlain University and became certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Providing continuity of care to better women’s overall health for a lifetime continues to be her primary goal. Jennifer enjoys spending time with family, going to her children’s athletic activities, hiking, exercising and the beach.
Ariana Patras, DO
Ariana Patras graduated with honors from Hofstra University in 2014 with a degree in biology and minor in biochemistry, and she earned her medical degree from Rowan SOM in NJ in 2020, then completed her OBGYN residency at Monmouth Medical Center in 2024. She served as Didactic Chief Resident and received the Resident Excellence award from The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Outstanding Resident Performance from The Society of Gynecologic Oncology, The Obstetrical Critical Care Award and The Robert A. MacKenzie, M.D. Award twice for contributing to overall resident education and patient care. Her special interest is caring for pregnant patients, performing hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, addressing abnormal uterine bleeding and providing preventative care to all ages. Her fiancé, Scott, is a gastroenterology fellow at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and they are excited to plant North Carolina roots!
New patients of any age are always welcome at Hawthorne Obstetrics & Gynecology, conveniently located at 4605 Country Club Road in Winston-Salem. Call them at 336.768.3632 for an appointment, or schedule online at Hawthorneobgyn.com. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Post Views: 105
