At Grand Canyon Family Medicine, we are only as strong as our staff and are proud to employ a variety of qualified individuals who bring their own diverse knowledge to the practice in order to ensure you receive the most comprehensive treatment possible. Please take a moment to read more about our individual staff members and learn how they allow our practice to continually be the absolute best at caring for your health needs.
Dr. Robert Tognacci
Dr. Bob Tognacci was born in Boulder, Colorado and moved to Arizona in 1984. He spent most of his childhood here in Chandler and graduated from Chandler High School. After graduating from Northern Arizona University, Dr. T decided to pursue his love of science and commitment to the healthcare of others by becoming a family practice physician. He graduated from Midwestern University in 2003 with a doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in family practice medicine locally, at Mesa General Hospital. Dr T. opened Grand Canyon Family Medicine in 2007. His mission is to provide caring, quality health care for the people of his community. Dr Tognacci was named Humanitarian of the Year in 2006 by the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association.
Doctor T has been married to his high school sweetheart for 20 years and they have 3 energetic kids! He enjoys attending their many school and sports activities and is a staple on the soccer field sideline. He is a fanatic Denver Broncos fan and an avid hiker. He loves to get out and explore as much as possible.
Dr. Lorretta McCarthy
Dr. Lorretta McCarthy was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She married her high school sweetheart in May of 1996, then a month later in June 1996, graduated from Midwestern University- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and moved to Phoenix to do her family medicine residency. She enjoyed the warm winters and sunshine so decided to stay in the area. She practiced urgent care medicine for 7 years then returned to family practice in 2006 because she missed the relationship with the patients, which is a vital part of being a primary care physician.
She is board certified in Family Medicine. She is the first and only physician in her family and thinks that her interest in medicine came from her father who was a medic in the army but was unable to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor due to supporting his family. She also attributes her interest in medicine to being intrigued at an early age with the human body and the interest in learning everything about it while helping people.
Her hobbies and interests include hiking, biking, travel, and photography. Her healthcare philosophy focuses on treating the whole patient with compassion, dignity and comprehensive care, including a major emphasis on preventative care. She wants to work with each patient as a team to keep him or her happy and healthy.
Kristy VanBeek PA-C
Kristy is originally from southwest Michigan and moved to Arizona in the Spring of 2021. Her career in medicine started in 2001, and since that time she has worked in a number of roles in healthcare, from medical assisting, teaching, education direction for healthcare programs and medical office management. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Kalamazoo Valley Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Health and Administration from Western Michigan University. In 2017 she graduated from Western Michigan University’s Physician Assistant Program with a Master’s in Medicine. She completed board certification shortly after graduation through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). In practice, she has experience and special interest in neurology (headache/migraine medicine), pediatrics, family medicine, and most recently diabetic care/education and weight loss management.
In her spare time, Kristy enjoys spending time with her husband Matt and son’s Brennan and Hayden. She loves travel, being outdoors (hiking, walking her dogs, running), yoga, singing with her friends in a local band, healthcare podcasts/documentaries, and getting back to Michigan for trips to see family and friends.
Alisha Courtney FNP
Alisha was born and raised in New Mexico, graduating from UNM in 2006 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She worked as a bedside nurse in hospital settings for 13 years, in NM, CT and AZ. She decided to further her career and pursue a Family Nurse Practitioner degree. She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing with focus on family practice in 2022. She enjoys the variety and excitement of caring for all ages. She is committed to promoting health and wellness for her patients.
Alisha is married with two energetic boys, she loves spending free time with them playing board games, running around at the park and splash pads and taking their jet-ski to the lake. She loves spending time with her family, traveling and exploring the outdoors. She loves sports (especially hockey and baseball) and tries to get to live games as much as she can.
Jessica Ricci FNP
Jessica grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona, and moved to the Phoenix area after graduating from high school to pursue her education. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Arizona State University before completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Grand Canyon University.
Jessica spent the majority of her nursing career in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she also served as a House Supervisor and held leadership roles overseeing ICU operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked as a travel ICU nurse, providing critical care in communities experiencing overwhelming patient volumes and severe staffing shortages.
Driven by her passion for understanding the human body and promoting preventive wellness, Jessica returned to school to earn her Master of Science in Nursing and become a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She now practices family medicine, providing care for patients of all ages with a special interest in pediatrics, preventive care, wellness, and weight management. Jessica believes in combining evidence-based medicine with a holistic approach, empowering her patients to achieve optimal health and become the best version of themselves.
Jessica is happily married and the proud mother of two wonderful children. Family is at the heart of everything she does. When she’s not caring for patients, she enjoys escaping the Arizona heat by spending time with her family in Pinetop, where they embrace the slower pace and cooler mountain air. She also loves traveling, exploring new cultures, and creating meaningful memories with her family. Outside of the clinic, Jessica remains active in her community by promoting health and wellness through IV therapy
Sabrina Bissonnette FNP
Sabrina Bissonnette is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to patients of all ages. Originally from South Carolina, she relocated to Arizona in 2007 while serving in the United States Air Force and proudly continues to serve the community with a patient-centered approach grounded in trust, compassion, and clinical excellence. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at the University of Arizona and her Master’s of Science in Nursing at Grand Canyon University.
Before becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, Sabrina spent more than seven years as a bedside nurse, caring for diverse patient populations and supporting families through every stage of life. In recognition of her exceptional dedication and compassionate care, she has received several DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nurses.
Sabrina is passionate about building meaningful relationships with her patients and believes personalized care is essential to supporting both physical and emotional well-being. She strives to create a welcoming environment where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered in their healthcare journey.
Outside of work, Sabrina enjoys hiking, exploring the outdoors, and creating lasting memories with her three children and family.
