Faculty

Joe Dougherty, MD, CAQ-SM - Program Director

Dr. Dougherty is the founding program director of the Butler Family Medicine Residency. He comes to us after nearly 10 years as faculty and Associate Program Director at Forbes Family Medicine Residency in Monroeville, PA. He also has been the Associate Program Director for the Allegheny Health Network (Pittsburgh) Primary Care Sports Medicine fellowship and was a Pittsburgh Pirates team physician. His special interests include musculoskeletal care, throwing biomechanics, and free market medicine.

Dr. Dougherty was born and raised in Hampton Township, where he currently lives with his wife and two boys. He enjoys travelling, music, playing and watching sports, and exercising. He is also the former head baseball coach at Eden Christian Academy and pitching coach at Freeport Area High School.

Undergrad: Penn State University, BS Mechanical Engineering

Graduate: University of Michigan, MS Biomedical Engineering

Medical School: West Virginia University

Residency: UPMC St. Margaret – Family Medicine

Fellowship: Allegheny Health Network – Pittsburgh, Sports Medicine

Jessica L. Peek, D.O. - Associate Program Director

Dr. Peek is the associate program director of the Butler Family Medicine Residency. She comes to us after nearly 6 years as faculty at Forbes Family Medicine Residency in Monroeville, PA. She also has practiced full spectrum family medicine; which includes newborn care, children, adults, gynecological services and obstetrics. Her special interests include pediatrics, women’s health, osteopathic manipulation, and lifestyle medicine.

Dr. Peek is from Pittsburgh and she is a big Steelers fan. She is married with three children. She enjoys skiing, camping, reading, traveling, and DIY projects.

Undergrad: Allegheny College, BS in Studio Art, Pre-Med

Medical School: DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: Genesys Regional Medical Center – Family Medicine

Michael E. Fiorina, D.O., FAAFP - VP of Medical Education

Dr. Fiorina was born and raised in Lower Burrell, PA. Upon completion of residency, he moved to Butler in 1998 and ran a successful private practice for 23 years and served on Butler Memorial Hospital as the Chair of the Department of Medicine and the President of the Medical Staff. After serving on the Board of Trustees for four years he was named Vice President of Medical Education and placed in charge of bring the residency program to the Butler area. His special interests include adolescents, preventative care, and office procedures.

Dr. Fiorina lives in Center Township in Butler with his wife and two dogs. He has four adult children and enjoys exercising, competing in sports and traveling. He has completed a variety of marathons, triathlons, has hiked the entire Grand Canyon and looks forward to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in the near future.

Undergraduate: Washington and Jefferson College

Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: Allegheny Family Physicians-Altoona, PA

Brittany Bielewicz, DO

​Dr. Bielewicz is a core faculty member in the Family Medicine Residency. She also maintains her own panel of patients in the Butler Area. Her special interests include in-office procedures and osteopathic manipulation.

Dr. Bielewicz is from Butler and has a young daughter and husky. She is a former competitive swimmer who enjoys hiking, triathlons and marathons.

Undergrad: Washington and Jefferson College, BA Chemistry and Psychology

Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: UPMC St. Margaret-Family Medicine

Lela Dougherty, MD

​Dr. Lela Dougherty joined the Butler Family Medicine Residency program as core faculty in April, 2024. She is the Director of the Practice Management Curriculum. She comes to Butler after spending the past few years as the owner of her own Direct Primary Care practice.
Dr. Dougherty was born in Virginia and spent her childhood moving to various Naval bases. She resides locally with her husband their two boys. She enjoys reading, travelling, and relaxing on the beach. She has special interest in Lifestyle Medicine.

Undergrad: Fairmont State College, BS Biology

Medical School: Marshall University

Residency: UPMC St. Margaret - Family Medicine

Lindsay Venditti, MD

​​Dr. Lindsay Venditti joined the Butler Family Medicine Residency program as core faculty in July 2024. She is a Family Medicine doctor with certifications in both Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine.

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

Residency: UPMC St. Margaret Hospital