Andrew Hester, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Hester was born and raised in Rockwall, TX. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Abilene Christian University with a BS in Biochemistry, then attended UT Southwestern Medical School where he was inducted into the AOA National Honor Medical Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at JPS Hospital in Fort Worth and his adult reconstruction fellowship at The CORE Institute in Phoenix, AZ, receiving extensive training in robotic assisted and direct anterior approach hip and knee arthroplasty. Dr. Hester is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Ruben De La Rosa, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Ruben De La Rosa, PA-C is a board-certified Physician Assistant who works exclusively alongside Dr. Hester. Ruben received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas A&M University and his Master of Physician Assistant Studies from UT Southwestern in Dallas. Ruben's entire medical career has been in the field of Orthopedics. Before joining Azalea, he spent several years gaining experience in orthopedic trauma, pain management, sports medicine, spine surgery, and joint reconstruction. He has extensive knowledge in hip and knee replacement and assists Dr. Hester with every surgery performed. Ruben and his family are members of Rock Hill Baptist Church. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife Courtney and their 4 young children, working with his cattle, and Jiu Jitsu.
Chris Rogers, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Vanessa Laws, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Vanessa Laws, PA-C is a board certified Physician Assistant working at the Azalea Orthopedics Athens office. She works with several of the physicians at Azalea including Dr. Hester. If you happen to be seen in our Athens clinic, you may be meeting her for your preoperative consultation or some of your postoperative check-ups. Vanessa earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Howard Payne University and went on to complete her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at UT Southwestern in Dallas. Her care philosophy is based on a patient-centered approach with a strong emphasis on educating her patients about their condition and treatment, as well as empowering patients to be part of their healthcare decision-making process. When not seeing patients, she enjoys all things creative, talking about Jesus, traveling to tropical destinations and spending time with her family.
Madisyn Bickham
Medical Assistant
Madisyn is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and our lead surgery scheduler. She brings over 9 years of experience to the team. Madisyn ensures a seamless and welcoming patient experience. She is passionate about helping patients navigate their care journey with compassion and clear communication. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from UT Tyler. In her free time, Madisyn enjoys reading, needlepoint, and spending quality time with her dog, Beau.
Tamara Davis
Medical Assistant
Tamara, CCMA, brings more than 19 years of healthcare experience and nearly a decade of specialized experience in orthopedic patient care. She worked alongside, now retired, Dr. James Harris and gained extensive experience in providing knowledge and compassionate support to orthopedic joint replacement patients throughout their journey. Prior to orthopedics, Tamara worked for 8 years in cardiology and served as a medical unit secretary at Christus giving her a well-rounded understanding of both clinical and hospital environments. She holds certifications as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Registered Orthopedic Technician, Basic Life Support Provider, and Patient Care Technician in Dialysis. Outside of work, Tamara enjoys traveling with her husband, Lamont, and spending quality time with their two daughters. She believes that exceptional healthcare begins with treating every patient with compassion, respect, and genuine care.
Tracy Holland
Medical Assistant
Tracy is a Certified Medical Assistant. She was born and raised in Mineola, Texas and has over 30 years of experience in the medical field, 15 years of which included experience in clinical research. She assists in the clinic and plays a vital role in the preoperative and postoperative care of patients including adherence to clinical protocols and our DME program. Her 3 loves outside of the clinic are God, family, and pets. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors and going to concerts with her husband and best friend, Michael. She is an active member of New Hope Baptist Church in Mineola.
Madisyn Luwizhi
Medical Assistant
Madisyn is a Certified Medical Assistant with over two years of experience. She helps patients in the clinic and over the phone, provides pre and post-operative education, and welcomes new patients with a warm, reassuring approach. Behind the scenes, she ensures every patient's care is guided with attention to detail, bringing her future nursing perspective to help patients feel confident and supported. She is currently enrolled in the vocational nursing program at Tyler Junior College and enjoys staying active, spending time with her family, and being involved in her Church community in her free time.