8:15 am – 5 pm : Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday | Closed : Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday
8:15 am – 5 pm : Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday | Closed : Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday
If you’re looking for excellent care, a more personal relationship with your doctor, and a way to give back to the community, look no further than the St. Luke’s team.
Our direct primary care model allows us to circumvent traditional insurance for primary care services, allowing our doctors to spend more quality time caring for their patients. As a Member Patient, you’ll receive longer appointment times, same-day or next-day availability, and doctors who are on call nights and weekends, all of which strengthens the doctor-patient relationship and leads to better care.
Our family has had a relationship with St. Luke’s Family Practice for 10 years. I can’t say enough good things about this practice, Dr. R.J. Heck, and the other doctors who work there. We don’t have to go through any hoops to talk to our doctor or get the care we need. We have access to our doctor by phone day or night and can get help right away.
One time, I thought I had a bad cold. I reached out and Dr. Erin Kiesel called me back within minutes. Even though it was a Saturday, based on my symptoms, she asked me to come into the office. She diagnosed me with pneumonia! If I was a patient in a different medical environment, I would have assumed it was a bad cold and not gotten the care I needed because of long wait times to see a doctor. I’m so glad I was diagnosed and treated right away at St. Luke’s Family Practice.
Tom and Annette Nielsen
Every St. Luke’s physician is Board Certified in Family Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Kiesel joined St. Luke’s Family Practice in 2018. Previously, she was in practice in Hughson and Modesto since 2000 in affiliation with the Family Medicine Residency Program. Her special interests include women’s health and pediatrics. She speaks medical Spanish. Her interests include running, skiing, wake boarding, and any other outdoor activities. She enjoys spending time with her husband, George, and their four children. They attend Our Lady of Fatima Church in Modesto.
Dr. Heck has been in private practice in Modesto since 1994. His special interests include patient education, wound healing and holistic medicine. He enjoys exercise and volunteers with Liga International on mission trips in Mexico. Dr. Heck has two sons. He and his wife Diane attend Our Lady of Fatima Church. He is fluent in English and Spanish.
Ericka Carranza-Perez is a graduate of Stanislaus State University (BS in biology with concentration in genetics, minor in chemistry, 2003) and San Joaquin Valley College (physician assistant studies, 2012). She came to St. Luke’s as a physician assistant student in 2012. After completing her internship training at St. Luke’s Family Practice, she became licensed as a physician assistant and joined the practice full time. Ericka focuses on providing primary care to uninsured patients. In 2016, Ericka also took on the role of office manager. Her family owned two local pharmacies, and there she gained considerable experience in pharmacology and the day-to-day management of their business. She and her husband have two beautiful young daughters, and they enjoy traveling to local beaches with their pet dog. She attends St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hughson. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Isbeth joined our practice in 2020. She is our only full-time medical assistant. She works tirelessly to be a great point of contact for all our patients. She had previously worked in a very busy pediatric dental office, and before that at a pharmacy. Her background helped with her transition seamlessly as a medical assistant. During her time off, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their two boys and extended family. She attends St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Ceres. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Dr. Forester was in practice in Modesto from 1989-2020. Since retirement, he has maintained his medical license and board certification. He is an active member of the Board of Directors and occasionally helps out when St. Luke’s needs another doctor to cover the practice. His special medical interests include skin disorders, preventive cardiology and medical ethics. Dr. Forester is an avid do-it-yourselfer who enjoys exercise, travel, history, and languages.
Dr. Forester and his wife Anne have four adult children and one grandchild. Bob and Anne attend St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Carson City, NV.
