Kristine Georges serves as the CEO of Tulip Tree Family Health Care, a vital resource for rural communities in southwestern Indiana and southeastern Illinois. With over twenty years of experience in health care, Kristine brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for improving community health. Prior to her current role, Kristine held leadership positions at Deaconess Hospital and The Heart Hospital at Deaconess Gateway.
Kristine started at Tulip Tree Family Health Care in 2019 Fort Branch, Indiana. In 2019, Tulip Tree received Federally Qualified Health Center Status and a Health Resources and Services Administration New Access Point Grant allowing the ability to add an additional clinic. In 2020, while navigating through Covid-19 pandemic Kristine and her team opened a second clinic location in Princeton, Indiana. At Tulip Tree Family Health Care, Kristine is committed to improving the health of individuals by offering high quality, affordable services regardless of income. Kristine’s leadership style emphasizes respect, understanding, compassion, and a patient-centered approach. Kristine is dedicated to building a strong team that empowers staff to provide the highest quality care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
Kristine holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Indiana and holds multiple certifications. She is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Management (CPHM), Certified Compliance and Ethic Professional (CCEP), and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ). Kristine is also a member of the Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) serving on the Board of Managers and the Health Policy Committee as well as the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). She serves on the Policy and Legislative Committee with the Indiana Rural Health Association. Tulip Tree Family Health Care is a member of the Clinically Integrated Network of Indiana (CINI). Kristine serves on the Board of managers and Chair of Membership and the Compliance Committee for CINI. Some other committees she serves include the USI Health Professions Advisory committee, Ivy Tech Medical Assistant Advisory Committee, the Boards of the Salvation Army, and Gibson County Holly’s House Steering Committee. When Kristine is not dedicating her time to her profession she enjoys spending time with her family, attending her children’s sporting events, reading, and finding the best online shopping deals.
Andy joined Tulip Tree in November of 2021. He received a bachelor’s degree in public relations and political science from the University of Southern Indiana in 1991. Andy has extensive management and administrative experience in multiple industries including marketing, finance, and healthcare. Andy currently holds an Indiana Health Facility Administrators license and a Resident Navigator license. He is a Board member of the Town of Haubstadt as well as The Gibson County Chamber of Commerce. He regularly provides guitar entertainment in coordination with outreach events.
Eric graduated from the University of Southern Indiana in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a former business co-owner, where he was responsible for the general operations, human resources, inventory, accounting, staff management, and payroll. In July 2023, Eric joined Tulip Tree with a role in medical records, billing, and bookkeeping. He has since then accepted a promotion as Finance Manager. He is responsible for daily financial tasks, accounts payable, and facility management. Eric is a jack-of-all-trades. He is selfless and willing to go above and beyond for anyone in need of assistance.
Lori Graduated in 1991 from the University of Southern Indiana with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and received her CPA in 1998. Throughout the years Lori has earned vast experience in all aspects of accounting. In 2021, Lori joined Tulip Tree Family Health Care as the Finance Manager and took on the role of Controller in 2024. She manages all aspects of Tulip Tree’s financial operations and assists with managing daily operations. Lori is approachable and open-minded. She is an ethical and trustworthy team member for all of our staff to lean on.
Maureen joined Tulip Tree in 2012 in the leadership role as Administrator. She assisted in facilitating growth in the Clinical and Dental programs, while adding Behavioral Health services. She also expanded revenue through garnering grants and donations.
Maureen transitioned to a part-time Executive Director role at Tulip Tree in June 2015 and then to Development Director in May 2018 where she focuses on grants and fundraising while providing support to the Executive Director as needed. She is also active in the Intake/Enrollment process as an Indiana Navigator and federal CAC.
Maureen also has career experience in teaching, sales, marketing, hospitality management, telecommunications and publishing. She has served on many boards during her career.
Current Certifications: Indiana Navigator, Federal CAC, CPC (Certified Professional Coder)
Education: M.S. in Public Service Administration, University of Evansville 2010;GPA 4.0
B.A. Psychology, Minors in History and Education, St. Louis University
Magna cum laude in the Honors Program; Phi Beta Kappa
Shea graduated in 2011 with a certificate in Practical Nursing from Wabash Valley College. She extended her knowledge of nursing and graduated from Western Governors University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Shea began her career in healthcare in 2011 as a certified nursing assistant. After growing as a nurse throughout the years Shea accepted a position at Tulip Tree Family Health Care in 2022. In January 2024, she was promoted to Clinical Nurse Manager. She is responsible for the day‐to‐day operation of the medical clinics and supervises clinical staff. She is instrumental in policy development, review, and education. She has a strong focus on quality of care and meeting the needs of Tulip Tree’s patient population.
Skye joined Tulip Tree in 2014 as the sole dental hygienist. In 2017, with the growth of our dental operations, Skye was promoted to the position of Dental Program Manager. She manages the dental team and acts as support to the dental providers. She is responsible for quality initiatives, patient satisfaction, and day-to-day operations. Skye completed the Dental Hygiene Program and holds a bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Southern Indiana which she obtained in 2012. Skye maintains a positive and productive work environment. She has a passion for leading her team to provide the best community health dental care.
Dr. Terry C. Gehlhausen is a family medicine doctor living in Oakland City, Indiana. He received his medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Terry C. Gehlhausen has expertise in treating dementia, hypertension & high blood pressure, diabetes, among other conditions.
Mellisa joined Tulip Tree in 2005. She has been a family nurse practitioner for more than 30 years. Mellisa works on a part-time basis and is also professor emeritus with the University of Southern Indiana. Mellisa has worked in rural health throughout her career. Prior to working as a nurse practitioner, Mellisa served at the Director of Nursing Education at IU Health Bedford, in Bedford, Indiana. While at the University of Southern Indiana, Mellisa served as the Chair of Graduate Nursing. She sees long-term patients as well as newer patients at Tulip Tree in our Fort Branch and Princeton locations.
Heath joined Tulip Tree Family Health Care in December 2018 and brings a strong commitment to compassionate, community-focused care. A native of Oakland City in Gibson County, Heath is proud to serve the community he calls home.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University and went on to complete his Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Family Practice at Vanderbilt University. As a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Heath provides comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages.
Heath is a full-time provider and sees patients Monday through Friday. He is dedicated to building lasting relationships with his patients and helping them achieve their health goals through personalized, evidence-based care.
Mellisa has been a valued member of Tulip Tree Family Health Care since 2005 and brings over 30 years of experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her career has been dedicated to advancing rural health and mentoring the next generation of nurses.
In addition to her clinical work, Mellisa is Professor Emeritus at the University of Southern Indiana, where she previously served as Chair of Graduate Nursing. Before becoming a nurse practitioner, she was the Director of Nursing Education at IU Health Bedford in Bedford, Indiana.
Mellisa provides care to both long-term and new patients at Tulip Tree’s Fort Branch and Princeton locations. Working part-time, she continues to offer compassionate, experienced care rooted in a deep commitment to community health.
Melissa joined Tulip Tree Family Health Care in April 2024 and brings a broad and diverse clinical background to her role as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Associate of Science in Nursing from Wabash Valley College and became a licensed Registered Nurse before completing her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Family Practice at Chamberlain College of Nursing in 2019.
Melissa’s experience spans Long-term Acute Care, Oncology, Hospice, Medical/Surgical, and Pediatric settings. As a Nurse Practitioner, she has provided both acute and chronic care, giving her a well-rounded perspective on patient needs across the lifespan.
Melissa is a full-time provider and sees patients Monday through Friday. She is passionate about delivering comprehensive, compassionate care to individuals and families of all ages.
Dr. Alapati joined Tulip Tree Health Cares’ dental program in 2015 and is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate dental care to patients of all ages. She earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from New York University School of Dentistry in 2011 and obtained her Indiana dental license in 2012.
Committed to clinical excellence, Dr. Alapati regularly attends continuing education courses to stay current with the latest advancements in dental care. She is passionate about improving access to oral health services in the community and strives to create a welcoming, comfortable environment for every patient.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Alapati enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking, and traveling.
Dr. Walters brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to community care to Tulip Tree Family Health Care. He earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1972. Following graduation, he served in the United States Air Force, providing dental care to service members until 1974.
After his military service, Dr. Walters returned to his hometown of Princeton, Indiana, where he opened a private dental practice and served the community for over 40 years. In 2015, he sold his practice and joined Tulip Tree’s dental program in 2016, driven by a desire to give back and provide care to those with limited access to dental services.
In his free time, Dr. Walters enjoys gardening, reading, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Erin joined Tulip Tree Family Health Care in November 2018 and brings a strong background in both nursing and mental health care. She began her healthcare journey with a degree in Psychology from the University of Evansville, which sparked her passion for mental health. She later earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Southern Indiana and gained experience in hospital-based critical care and mental health settings.
Driven by her commitment to mental health, Erin pursued an Advanced Practice Nursing degree specializing in Psychiatric and Mental Health Care from USI. As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, she provides compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals facing mental health, behavioral health, and addiction challenges.
Ethel joined Tulip Tree Family Health Care in 2013, playing a key role in launching the clinic’s behavioral health program. She offers support to individuals and families navigating mental health challenges.
Ethel is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana’s School of Social Work and brings a wealth of experience and compassion to her practice. In addition to her work at Tulip Tree, she serves full-time as a professor in the Health Services Program at USI, where she is dedicated to educating future healthcare professionals.
Matthew joined Tulip Tree Family Health Care in April 2022 and brings over 17 years of experience in the mental health field. His background includes working with individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as in probation and the Department of Child Services (DCS), giving him a broad and compassionate perspective on behavioral health care.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and completed his Master’s in Social Work at the University of Southern Indiana. At Tulip Tree, Matthew provides counseling services to patients of all ages at both the Fort Branch and Princeton locations.
Outside of work, Matthew enjoys cooking and traveling with his wife and children.
Amanda has been serving patients at Tulip Tree Family Health Care since 2020 as an ANCC board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Southern Indiana and brings over 18 years of nursing experience across behavioral health, critical care, long-term care, and preventive health.
Amanda provides patient-centered, evidence-based outpatient mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults. Her practice includes medication management for a wide range of mental health conditions, including substance use disorders (with medication-assisted treatment), anxiety, trauma-related disorders, mood spectrum disorders, and behavioral disorders. She also coordinates referrals for therapy, screening, and specialized testing services to ensure comprehensive care.
Kristine Georges serves as the CEO of Tulip Tree Family Health Care, a vital resource for rural communities in southwestern Indiana and southeastern Illinois. With over twenty years of experience in health care, Kristine brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for improving community health. Prior to her current role, Kristine held leadership positions at Deaconess Hospital and The Heart Hospital at Deaconess Gateway.
Kristine started at Tulip Tree Family Health Care in 2019 Fort Branch, Indiana. In 2019, Tulip Tree received Federally Qualified Health Center Status and a Health Resources and Services Administration New Access Point Grant allowing the ability to add an additional clinic. In 2020, while navigating through Covid-19 pandemic Kristine and her team opened a second clinic location in Princeton, Indiana. At Tulip Tree Family Health Care, Kristine is committed to improving the health of individuals by offering high quality, affordable services regardless of income. Kristine’s leadership style emphasizes respect, understanding, compassion, and a patient-centered approach. Kristine is dedicated to building a strong team that empowers staff to provide the highest quality care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
Kristine holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Indiana and holds multiple certifications. She is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Management (CPHM), Certified Compliance and Ethic Professional (CCEP), and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ). Kristine is also a member of the Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) serving on the Board of Managers and the Health Policy Committee as well as the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). She serves on the Policy and Legislative Committee with the Indiana Rural Health Association. Tulip Tree Family Health Care is a member of the Clinically Integrated Network of Indiana (CINI). Kristine serves on the Board of managers and Chair of Membership and the Compliance Committee for CINI. Some other committees she serves include the USI Health Professions Advisory committee, Ivy Tech Medical Assistant Advisory Committee, the Boards of the Salvation Army, and Gibson County Holly’s House Steering Committee. When Kristine is not dedicating her time to her profession she enjoys spending time with her family, attending her children’s sporting events, reading, and finding the best online shopping deals.
Andy joined Tulip Tree in November of 2021. He received a bachelor’s degree in public relations and political science from the University of Southern Indiana in 1991. Andy has extensive management and administrative experience in multiple industries including marketing, finance, and healthcare. Andy currently holds an Indiana Health Facility Administrators license and a Resident Navigator license. He is a Board member of the Town of Haubstadt as well as The Gibson County Chamber of Commerce. He regularly provides guitar entertainment in coordination with outreach events.
Eric graduated from the University of Southern Indiana in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a former business co-owner, where he was responsible for the general operations, human resources, inventory, accounting, staff management, and payroll. In July 2023, Eric joined Tulip Tree with a role in medical records, billing, and bookkeeping. He has since then accepted a promotion as Finance Manager. He is responsible for daily financial tasks, accounts payable, and facility management. Eric is a jack-of-all-trades. He is selfless and willing to go above and beyond for anyone in need of assistance.
Lori Graduated in 1991 from the University of Southern Indiana with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and received her CPA in 1998. Throughout the years Lori has earned vast experience in all aspects of accounting. In 2021, Lori joined Tulip Tree Family Health Care as the Finance Manager and took on the role of Controller in 2024. She manages all aspects of Tulip Tree’s financial operations and assists with managing daily operations. Lori is approachable and open-minded. She is an ethical and trustworthy team member for all of our staff to lean on.
Maureen joined Tulip Tree in 2012 in the leadership role as Administrator. She assisted in facilitating growth in the Clinical and Dental programs, while adding Behavioral Health services. She also expanded revenue through garnering grants and donations.
Maureen transitioned to a part-time Executive Director role at Tulip Tree in June 2015 and then to Development Director in May 2018 where she focuses on grants and fundraising while providing support to the Executive Director as needed. She is also active in the Intake/Enrollment process as an Indiana Navigator and federal CAC.
Maureen also has career experience in teaching, sales, marketing, hospitality management, telecommunications and publishing. She has served on many boards during her career.
Current Certifications: Indiana Navigator, Federal CAC, CPC (Certified Professional Coder)
Education: M.S. in Public Service Administration, University of Evansville 2010;GPA 4.0
B.A. Psychology, Minors in History and Education, St. Louis University
Magna cum laude in the Honors Program; Phi Beta Kappa
Shea graduated in 2011 with a certificate in Practical Nursing from Wabash Valley College. She extended her knowledge of nursing and graduated from Western Governors University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Shea began her career in healthcare in 2011 as a certified nursing assistant. After growing as a nurse throughout the years Shea accepted a position at Tulip Tree Family Health Care in 2022. In January 2024, she was promoted to Clinical Nurse Manager. She is responsible for the day‐to‐day operation of the medical clinics and supervises clinical staff. She is instrumental in policy development, review, and education. She has a strong focus on quality of care and meeting the needs of Tulip Tree’s patient population.
Skye joined Tulip Tree in 2014 as the sole dental hygienist. In 2017, with the growth of our dental operations, Skye was promoted to the position of Dental Program Manager. She manages the dental team and acts as support to the dental providers. She is responsible for quality initiatives, patient satisfaction, and day-to-day operations. Skye completed the Dental Hygiene Program and holds a bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Southern Indiana which she obtained in 2012. Skye maintains a positive and productive work environment. She has a passion for leading her team to provide the best community health dental care.
Dr. Terry C. Gehlhausen is a family medicine doctor living in Oakland City, Indiana. He received his medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Terry C. Gehlhausen has expertise in treating dementia, hypertension & high blood pressure, diabetes, among other conditions.
Mellisa joined Tulip Tree in 2005. She has been a family nurse practitioner for more than 30 years. Mellisa works on a part-time basis and is also professor emeritus with the University of Southern Indiana. Mellisa has worked in rural health throughout her career. Prior to working as a nurse practitioner, Mellisa served at the Director of Nursing Education at IU Health Bedford, in Bedford, Indiana. While at the University of Southern Indiana, Mellisa served as the Chair of Graduate Nursing. She sees long-term patients as well as newer patients at Tulip Tree in our Fort Branch and Princeton locations.
