Inspire Providers
An extensive network of trusted experts that has been developed over many years serving the healthcare industry.
MEET OUR PROVIDERS
Lerla Joseph, M.D., Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Lerla Joseph received her bachelor’s degree from Winston-Salem State University and her medical degree from Wake Forest School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency at the Howard University College of Medicine, where she won the Daniel Hale Williams Intern of the Year Award upon completion of her first year internship.
Dr. Joseph has over three-decades’ worth of high-ranking medical expertise while serving as an advocate for improving health care access in the Central Virginia community, which she currently calls home. She has led a distinguished career in primary care medicine, focused on effective care interventions that promote the sustained health and wellbeing of underserved populations. She was also a 2021 winner of the Strong Men & Women in Virginia History award, bestowed jointly by the Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy since 2013. On April 24, 2021, she was named the Sandra MaGruder-Jackson, MD Practitioner of the Year by Region II of the National Medical Association. Dr. Joseph is an elected board member of Community Transformers Foundation and Honoring Choices of Virginia.
In addition to Dr. Joseph’s role at Inspire, she serves as founder and chief executive of Central Virginia Coalition of Healthcare Providers, which is one of only three Black-led and Black-owned accountable care organizations in the U.S. She is medical director of Charles City Medical Group, a primary care practice of internists and family medicine physicians in Virginia. Concurrent with these roles, she was the medical director at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women for three years.
Dr. Joseph is active in her church as chair of Christian Education. She is the proud mother of two sons and three grandchildren.
Tania Akers-White, M.D.
Dr. Tania Akers-White brings with her over 12 years of experience in the practice of medicine. In addition to primary and acute care, she has experience working in hospital and occupational medicine. She is certified as a Medical Review Officer and Civil Surgeon. Dr. Tania Akers-White, affectionately known as “Dr. Tania,” is dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health and wellness for a lifetime. She believes in delivering a comprehensive approach to wellness by combining the best of traditional medicine with the latest in modern technology and healthy lifestyle strategies to achieve new levels of health and vitality.
Dr. Akers-White completed her undergraduate work in language and linguistics at the University of Virginia. She received her master’s degree in public health from George Washington University. Following graduate school, Dr. Akers-White earned her medical degree from Ponce School of Medicine. She completed her Family Medicine Residency at Virginia Commonwealth University and is Board Certified in Family Medicine. She considers herself a lifelong student and is currently pursuing her board certification in Obesity Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine.
Dr. Akers-White is a member of American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association and the Obesity Society. Her interests include women’s health, childhood obesity and health policy. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and participating in community and school events with her husband and two active young children.
Steve Kim, M.D.
Dr. Steve Kim has been practicing Primary Care medicine for 32 years. He is Board-Certified in Family Medicine (FABFM), and also has extensive experience with Urgent Care, Tele-Health, and office-based Psychotherapy including Marriage & Family Therapy. Dr. Kim has also served with the US Air Force Reserves Medical Squadron, attaining the rank of Major (now retired from USAFR). Dr. Kim believes in a “holistic” approach to healing patients, meaning that a patient’s Mind, Body & Spirit are integrative, and all three phases need to be “Healthy” before a client can be truly well. He also believes that the “patient-physician” relationship should be a Partnership, where both sides work TOGETHER as a Team, in order to overcome illnesses and chronic disease conditions. He also feels that modern technology can be very useful in improving communication between patients & physicians, but that over-reliance on IT can also be a barrier to ideal communication.
Dr. Kim completed his undergraduate work (B.A.) at Stanford University with a degree in Human Biology. He then received his Medical Doctorate (M.D.) from UC Davis School of Medicine with a Primary Care emphasis. He received Board-Certification from the American Board of Family Medicine in 1992, which he has maintained through 2029. While working for Cisco Corp Primary Care Clinic he was one of the first 3 physicians in the country to complete telemedical examinations that were reimbursed by insurance.
Dr. Kim’s interests include leading medical mission expeditions to third-word countries, helping coach “underdog” premed students into medical school, and long walks at the beach or in the mountains. Other passions include gourmet dining with his wife, or visiting their three 20-something aged children who are spread throughout the U.S. He is also a reigning Yahoo Scrabble champion.
Khine Hlaing, FNP
Khine earned her master’s degree in nursing with a focus on the Family Nurse Practitioner program from Holy Names University. Her other academic accomplishments include a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from San Jose State University and an Associate Degree in Nursing from Evergreen Valley College. Her extensive education and clinical training have equipped her with a deep understanding of health promotion and disease prevention, earning her certifications from the American Nurse Credentialing Center as well as from the California Board of Registered Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Khine prioritizes patient-centered care and fosters a collaborative approach with patients to manage their health. She is passionate about empowering patients to become active participants in their health journey and is committed to providing the care that they need and deserve.
Outside the professional sphere, Khine loves to unwind by watching movies and spending quality time with her family. An avid traveler, she frequently embarks on overseas adventures, adding a global perspective to her personal and professional life.
Pou Lue, FNP
Pou Ellie Lue, FNP, is an innovative and dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner at Inspire Medical Care. Pou has been a part of the Inspire Medical Care team since May 2023, primarily focusing on virtual care.
Educated at Azusa Pacific University and certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), Pou holds credentials as a DOT medical examiner. Her commitment to the medical field is further demonstrated through her active membership with AANP.
Pou’s passion is creating genuine connections with her patients, empowering them to make informed and proactive healthcare decisions. What separates her practice at Inspire Medical Care from others is her innovative approach to preventative virtual care and her willingness to adapt to the evolving landscape of medicine to increase access to healthcare.
Outside of her professional life, Pou’s love for travel, hiking, and exploring new cuisines reflects her belief in embracing various cultures and learning from them. She resonates with a quote: “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” She also firmly believes in creating positive environments where she and others can thrive.
Pou’s dedication, innovation, and patient-centered care genuinely make her an asset to the Inspire Medical Care community. Her unique approach ensures patients feel understood, motivated, and confident in their healthcare journey.
